British Airways has announced it is to start trials of the VeriFly travel health app on services between London and the US from 4 February.
The app provides digital health document verification, including results of Covid-19 tests, and will also be able to provide evidence that passengers meet the US entry requirements at check-in.
The VeriFly app, developed by biometric security company Daon, is already being used by passengers flying with BA’s joint venture partner American Airlines. It was trialled on a number of routes and then expanded to all journeys from international destinations to the US on 23 January.
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ CEO said: “Although flying is currently restricted, it is essential we do as much as we can now to help those who are eligible to fly and prepare to help our customers navigate the complexities around changing global entry requirements when the world re-opens.
“We remain focused and committed to finding user-friendly, evidence-based solutions to make journeys as seamless they can be. Through these trials, we hope to provide travellers and governments on both sides of the Atlantic with the tools and the reassurance they need to make safe travel possible.”
The airline said the app, use of which is optional, would be updated to ensure conformance with the latest UK government requirement for a declaration around the reason for travel.
Phase two, which will follow in the near future, will extend to cover customers travelling to the UK from the US across both BA and American.
In November, IATA said it was working with BA's parent company IAG on a digital passport system for introduction in Q1 2021.
