As the coronavirus pandemic continues and concern about variants grows, many countries are requiring international travelers get tested for the coronavirus before their flights. At Logan Airport, passengers taking last-minute tests to meet those requirements are encountering long lines and unanticipated expenses.
David O’Connor was at Logan Airport Sunday afternoon on his way to Argentina. The country requires travelers to be fully vaccinated and proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of boarding.
O’Connor, 29, a teacher and business owner, received a PCR test in Rhode Island and was assured his result would come in time to board his flight to Buenos Aires. It didn’t. So he rushed over to XpresCheck in Terminal C for a $250 rapid PCR test. He said he was surprised by the steep price and “shocked” by the 5-hour wait, which prevented him from catching his planned flight.
"Currently, [I] don't really know how I'm going to get down there. Still trying to figure it out," he said. "We were told that this was an express service, but it really is an appointment-based service that just happens to be at the airport."
A New Hampshire couple paid $500 for tests at the Logan XpresCheck but then missed their flight due to a 5-hour long queue, resulting in additional costs for a hotel and flight rebooking. Raiyah Alhashme said the airport testing and expenses related to that delay cost her and her husband more than $1,800.
"We already, you know, did the test," she said, "but we just didn't get our results back in time."
Another passenger’s experience was entirely different. Frequent flyer Benjamin Jensen was heading to Finland, which requires proof of a negative PCR or antigen test no more than 48 hours before arrival. He said the testing lines and wait times have gotten longer in recent weeks, but that he usually books appointments to get "in and out" quickly.
A Massport spokesperson said the agency had no control over the pricing and long lines. Julie Ferguson, a spokeswoman for XpresCheck, said long lines for coronavirus testing at airports are unavoidable.
"Because of the shortage of workers, we are not able to at this time allow for more just ad hoc appointments," she said. "So, while the line times are long, what we can encourage people to do if they want to get tested is to go to the website, xprescheck.com, and make an appointment in advance."
As for the cost of these rapid PCR tests, Ferguson explained it as the cost of doing business. She said the $250 price tag is what the labs analyzing the tests are charging. Ferguson added that the company, which operates clinics at 12 airports in the United States, is planning to increase staff and hours over the holidays, including Christmas, to accommodate more travelers.
