The Lufthansa Group carried out the first flights on Thursday, on which all passengers had to pass a rapid antigen test. These led from Vienna to Hamburg and back as well as from Munich to Hamburg and back.

The group announced that all results were negative. The crews also had to undergo the test. The result was sent by push message, SMS and / or email. The boarding pass was then activated, which made it possible to enter the security area. A negative antigen result is currently not recognized in Germany or Austria as a substitute for a possibly required negative PCR result.

“We want to expand the worldwide travel options for our customers with the highest hygiene and safety standards. Successful testing of entire flights can be an important key here. With our test flights successfully launched today, we are gathering important knowledge and experience in handling rapid tests, ”said Ola Hansson, CEO of the Lufthansa Hub in Munich.

Passengers who do not want to be tested will be rebooked to an alternative flight at no additional cost. Only if the result is negative will the boarding pass be activated and access to the gate allowed. Alternatively, passengers can submit a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours upon departure. Lufthansa takes care of the entire rapid test process. There are currently no extra costs for the passenger. All he has to do is register in advance and allow a little more time before departure.

“The test run with the rapid antigen tests on selected Lufthansa flights is a positive and important signal for the industry. In addition to the extensive hygiene measures that airports and airlines already have in store for passengers, these tests offer an additional level of security. This means that in the future - if appropriate international agreements are made - cross-border travel without an obligatory quarantine obligation could be possible again, ”explains Jost Lammers, Managing Director of Munich Airport.