Test first, then fly: Austrian “Covid-19 Tested Flights”
Travel with a good feeling and even greater peace of mind
The safety and wellbeing of all travellers is our top priority at Austrian Airlines. In addition to the numerous measures we have already established at the airport and on board, we are looking for further solutions to make travelling even more comfortable and safer in close coordination with our medical experts.
With this in mind, Austrian Airlines is operating flights in a pilot project in which the entire crew and all the passengers are tested for Covid-19 free of charge. Proven rapid antigen tests are used. Please note: The test is mandatory and you can only board these flights with a negative Covid-19 test result. Alternatively, if you can present a negative PCR test result that is no older than 48 hours on departure, you will not need an antigen test on our Covid-19 tested flights. The aim of this pilot project is to optimise the operation of our test procedure for our passengers. Our intention here is to combine freedom of travel and protecting your health. We look forward to your support.
Fly between Vienna and Hamburg with even greater peace of mind
We will start with the test flights OS171 from Vienna to Hamburg and OS172 from Hamburg to Vienna on 12 November until 30 November 2020 to begin with. If you are booked on one of these flights, please come to the airport two hours before departure. Allow enough time for the entire testing procedure and ensure a relaxed start to your journey.
Our test centre in Vienna opens 2.5 hours before departure; you can come for the test at any time with no prior appointment. For departures from Hamburg, you can register online in advance to reduce your waiting time.
The rapid antigen test takes place at the test centre of our respective test partner. It will be performed by healthcare professionals using a throat swab. The evaluation time for the test may vary depending on the location and is between 10 and 40 minutes. The test result is checked by gate personnel during boarding. No data is exchanged, recorded or shared.
If you do not wish to take a Covid-19 tested flight that you have already booked, you can rebook or cancel your ticket free of charge and without giving reasons. To do so, please contact our Service Centre on +43 5 1766-1000.
Copyright Vienna Airport
Test procedure for Vienna and Hamburg
Preparation
Please come to the test centre at the airport in question with your boarding pass or your booking confirmation. If you have registered in advance online (currently possible for departures from Hamburg), please also bring the confirmation of your online registration with you and present it at reception.
Please bear in mind that you may have to wait and be sure to allow enough time – thank you!
Testing
Medically trained personnel will perform the throat swab. The evaluation time for the test may vary depending on the location and is between 10 and 40 minutes. You will receive your test result by email or SMS. If you have not provided an email address, please wait near the test centre and collect your result in person.
Boarding
You can continue to the boarding gate if you have a negative test result. Please keep your boarding pass and the test result readily to hand. Our staff at the gate will perform a visual inspection before you board. No data is exchanged, recorded or shared.
We wish you a safe and healthy journey!
What happens if the test result is positive?
This new antigen test may give false positives or negatives. The risk of a false result is low, but cannot be completely ruled out.
Unfortunately, if your test result is positive, we cannot welcome you aboard our flight. A positive rapid antigen test is classified as a suspected Covid-19 case and the medical and official regulations of the respective country of departure come into effect.
Unfortunately, your onward journey is not possible until a negative PCR test result has been confirmed. We would like to point out that a positive PCR test result will necessarily lead to quarantine restrictions.
AXA Partners “Tested Flight Care” product is available to passengers who test positive.
Our partner test centres
Vienna Airport
The test centre at Vienna Airport for departing passengers can be found in the Austrian Airlines check-in area in Terminal 3 near desk 370. The test centre opens 2.5 hours before departure.
For transferring passengers, a mobile testing station in the transit area near the respective onward flight gate is used.
Hamburg airport
The CENTOGENE test centre is located at Hamburg Airport in Terminal 1 on Level 2 near the check-in area. Use the escalator next to the check-in area to reach Level 2. The test centre is located on the left-hand side. Please register via the CENTOGENE portal before your arrival at the test centre and order your rapid antigen test in advance.
A glimpse of the future
Aircraft are already the safest means of public transport. This project is intended to make flying even safer. Based on the experience of the test phase, we are planning further Covid-19 flights. We plan to establish rapid tests as a fixed component of the journey.
Note: our hygiene measures, such as the compulsory use of masks at the airport and on board, will remain in force on Covid-19 flights.
Questions and Answers
General questions
From 12 November and initially to 30 November 2020, Austrian Airlines will perform free Covid-19 rapid antigen tests on the Vienna-Hamburg (OS171) and Hamburg-Vienna (OS172) flights.
Covid-tested means that all passengers on board have tested negative for Covid-19 before departure.
Negative antigen tests, performed at the airport before departure, and/or PCR tests for which the sample was taken no more than 48 hours before departure will be accepted.
Both the passengers and crew will be tested.
In Vienna, children under the age of ten do not have to undergo testing. However, they can be tested voluntarily. Children are also tested in Hamburg.
Negative antigen tests performed at the airport before departure and/or PCR tests for which the sample was taken no longer than 48 hours before departure will be accepted.
A test is mandatory for everyone on board – both passengers and crew.
In Vienna, children under the age of ten do not have to undergo testing. However, they can be tested voluntarily. Children are also tested in Hamburg.
Negative antigen tests, performed at the airport before departure, and/or PCR tests for which the sample was taken no more than 48 hours before departure will be accepted.
Ja, ein Test ist für alle an Bord vorgeschrieben - sowohl für Fluggäste als auch für die Crew, da die Gefahr einer Sekundärinfektion besteht. Falsch-positive Ergebnisse beim Antigen-Test sind nach einer Infektion unwahrscheinlich. Wenn der Antigen-Test positiv ausfällt, muss ein PCR Test durchgeführt werden.
You can rebook or cancel your ticket free of charge at our Service Centre on +43 5 1766-1000.
A positive test result will be reported in accordance with the instructions of the authorities and the procedures established for this purpose will be initiated (mandatory PCR test and subsequent quarantine depending upon the result).
Positiv getesteten Fluggästen steht das AXA Partners Produkt "Tested Flight Care" zur Verfügung. Kontaktieren Sie bitte umgehend die AXA Partners Hotline +49 221 802 471 869, unabhängig vom Wohnsitz, um sich über Ihren Versicherungsschutz sowie die nächsten notwendigen Schritte zu informieren.
Entry restrictions do not affect Covid-19 tested flights. A negative antigen test does not replace any negative PCR test that may be required.
It is our goal to achieve an easing of immigration restrictions in the future through a targeted testing strategy. The Covid-19 rapid antigen test offers a good way to achieve this. However, it does not replace any current entry regulations in force. If a PCR test is required for entry, it must also be provided accordingly.
After a successful test phase, we plan to introduce Covid-19 rapid antigen testing gradually on additional routes.
Covid-19 rapid antigen tests: Background and specifications
An antigen test detects certain proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. For this test, healthcare professionals take a throat swab; the result is determined after a waiting time of 10 to 15 minutes.
The Covid-19 rapid antigen tests used are CE-certified (EU regulation) and are obtained from European manufacturers.
Booking and flight
Covid-19 tested flights are marked accordingly on austrian.com during the flight selection process.
Our passengers will be informed that their flight is a Covid-19 tested flight via the pre-flight email and check-in invitation.
You can rebook or cancel your ticket free of charge at the Service Centre on +43 5 1766-1000.
Wir bitten Sie, für die Covid-19 Tested Flights mindestens zwei Stunden vor Abflug am Flughafen zu sein. Dieser Zeitraum sollte in der Regel ausreichen, um den Antigen-Schnelltest zusätzlich zum Check-in, der Gepäckabgabe und dem Weg zum Gate durchzuführen.
At Vienna Airport, a mobile testing station in the transit area near the respective onward flight gate is used for transferring passengers.
Transferring passengers are requested to visit the test centre at Hamburg Airport in Terminal 1 on Level 2 near the check-in area.
With our Covid-19 tested flights, we ensure that all our passengers and the crew have tested negatively for Covid-19 before boarding. It is possible to board these flights with the symptoms of a cold providing they do not include a cough, fever or loss of smell/taste. However, our passengers should be feeling “fit to fly” and must make their own decision based on their own sense of personal responsibility.
Procedure at the test centre
The evaluation time for the test may vary depending on the location.
In Vienna, you will receive your test result within 10 to 15 minutes; in Hamburg after a maximum of 40 minutes.
Yes, wearing a mask is obligatory in the test centre, as it is in the entire airport area and on board.
Every passenger will be tested individually in a private cubicle.
