Test first, then fly: Austrian “Covid-19 Tested Flights”
Our pilot project "Covid-19 Tested Flights" will come to an end for the time being on December 15, 2020. We would like to thank our passengers who took part in the tested flights. Through your support and feedback, we were able to gain valuable experience and successfully complete the test phase.
In the coming weeks, we will be working on optimizing the test process and looking into expanding the service to other routes. Our aimremains to combine freedom to travel with health protection and to enable all our passengers to travel even more carefree.
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 put in place at the airport and on board, we are looking for further solutions to make travelling even safer and more comfortable 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
The test flights OS171 from Vienna to Hamburg and OS172 from Hamburg to Vienna are taking place from 12 November to 15 December 2020. 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 will open 2.5 hours before departure. You can come for the test at any time with no prior appointment. For departures from Hamburg please register in advance online 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. 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, we cannot welcome you on board our flight if your test result is positive. 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, you cannot continue your onward journey 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 you arrive 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
Austrian Airlines is carrying out free Covid-19 rapid antigen tests on Vienna-Hamburg (OS171) and Hamburg-Vienna (OS172) flights from 12 November until 15 December 2020.
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.
Yes, a test is mandatory for everyone on board – both for passengers and the crew, as there is a risk of secondary infection. False-positive results in the antigen test are unlikely after an infection. A PCR test must be performed if the antigen test is positive.
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).
The AXA Partners “Tested Flight Care” product is available to passengers who test positive. Please contact the AXA Partners hotline on +49 221 802 471 869 immediately, irrespective of your place of residence, to find out about your insurance cover and the next steps required.
Entry restrictions do not affect Covid-19 tested flights. A negative antigen test does not replace any negative PCR tests required. Make sure to check the local entry regulations and any exceptions before your departure.
Our aim is to achieve a relaxation 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. Make sure always to check the local entry regulations and any exceptions before your departure.
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. A throat swab will be taken by healthcare professionals for this purpose. 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.
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 identified 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.
Please be at the airport at least two hours before departure for Covid-19 tested flights. This period should generally be sufficient to carry out the rapid antigen test in addition to check-in, bag drop-off and the route to the gate.
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 mandatory in the test centre, just as it is throughout the airport area and on board.
Every passenger will be tested individually in a private cubicle.
