Transiting through USA to Australia - testing requirements

[Jester38]

Hi, we are traveling from Canada back to Australia via LAX later in Feb and struggling to work out whether there are testing requirements to be met in the US. We plan to meet the PCR test requirement for re-entry back into Australia (no more than 72 hours prior) but do we also need to meet the reduced time requirement in the US of no more than a day beforehand? Searched various sites but could not find an answer. Obvious answer is to find a quick turnaround PCR test at YVR but would like to know whether there is an exemption or not from the normal USA testing requirement. We fly out of YVR, into LAX then onto MEL that same evening and stay air-side the whole time. Thanks

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

I believe the answer is you need a test within 1 calendar day to enter the US even for a connection/transit.

.....
Under the 5th group of questions - heading Connecting or Delayed Flights.

If I am connecting through the U.S. to another country, do I still need to get tested?

Yes. Any flight entering the U.S. from a foreign country, even for a connection, will require testing before departure.

COVID-19 and Travel

CDC travel recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

www.cdc.gov

 

[Quickstatus]

a quick turnaround PCR test at YVR

Why a PCR?

1) transiting passengers require a Covid viral test
2) within 1 day of travel
3) It does NOT only have to be a PCR, it can be a RAT

See here (Test and documentation requirements - below the FAQ)

 

[Jester38]

Thanks for responses. Yes, had since worked out that RAT was now viable alternative and if we get one in YVR on departure, it should cover us for both arrival/transit in LAX and arrival in MEL. First bit of efficiency I have found in the various testing regimes!

 

[dk4]

We fly out of YVR, into LAX then onto MEL that same evening and stay air-side the whole time.

Remember there is no such thing as "international air-side transit" in the USA, like there is in Australia (and many other countries) - so if you fly into the USA, then you enter the USA, along with all the associated requirements, e.g. ESTA. (So there is no opportunity to transit the country, without entering it, like many other places.)

In fact, you will officially enter the USA at YVR, which means you get all of your formalities processed for entry into the USA before you even leave the ground in Canada, and arrive into the USA as if on a domestic flight.

 

[annier]

Thanks for responses. Yes, had since worked out that RAT was now viable alternative and if we get one in YVR on departure, it should cover us for both arrival/transit in LAX and arrival in MEL. First bit of efficiency I have found in the various testing regimes!

Hi, this is my situation exactly, except in March I suspect we are both WestJet/Qantas?) ... I don't believe a RAT will suffice, in our case at least, as the total travel time from departing Vancouver to landing in Melbourne is 24:50. That is without taking into account the time required to take the test. I don't see an alternative to PCR.

 

[serfty]

@annier the timing of the RAT relates to departure, not arrival into Oz.

 

[justinbrett]

PCR does give you more flexibility in timings, -3 calendar days for Australia (but -1 calendar day for US).

If you have the evening departure out of LAX, that means you could get tested in the morning the day before, which might be more suitable. RAT is a strict 24 hours, so much less flexible.

Alternatively, get a train to Seattle, you don't need a test to cross via land, and then you only need to meet the Australian requirements.