Blade now requiring pre-flight COVID-19 testing for scheduled jet flights
In the days of coronavirus, change seems to be constant. As the situation evolves, travel companies are continuously making adjustments to their safety and sanitary procedures. Airlines have started to fill middle seats again, airport lounges are reopening and inflight food and drink service is resuming. Now, Blade — provider of helicopter and jet service between popular destination spots — has become the latest travel company to revamp its coronavirus health and safety protocol, which was originally introduced earlier this year.
With the resumption of scheduled BLADEone jet service to Miami and Aspen, and the launch of shared "FlightTilt" charters, Blade has announced that it has adopted new safety procedures. Blade is now offering and requiring pre-flight COVID-19 testing for scheduled jet service within the U.S.
Want more travel news and advice from TPG? Sign up for our daily newsletter.
Specifically, Blade is now requiring pre-flight COVID-19 testing for all passengers, cabin attendants and Blade lounge employees for all shared jet flights. Blade says that it's the first company to require pre-flight testing domestically, though some commercial airlines like United have already been trialing pre-flight testing on select international routes.
The testing (administered prior to check-in) is performed on-site by CrowdRX, a division of Global Medical Response. Pricing starts at $150, but passengers can choose to be tested by their own provider if they prefer.
"BLADE was the first aviation company to require mandatory blood oxygen saturation and temperature screening for all of its flights starting back in March," Melissa Tomkiel, General Counsel and President of Fixed Wing at Blade said in a release. "Testing was always on our timeline for our shared jet services. Now that we are satisfied with the safety, reliability, and ease of our testing program, it has been integrated into our pre-boarding protocols."
Related: The cheapest ways to get the private jet experience
This new requirement is in addition to all of the other precautions Blade is taking, including testing the oxygen levels of all passengers, pilots and staff, as well as their body temperatures, prior to boarding.
Passengers are required to have at least 95% blood oxygen saturation; anything less can be a cause for concern. Doctors have reported that critically ill COVID-19 patients have had oxygen levels as low as 50%, according to NPR.
Blade is also still requiring all passengers, pilots and staff to wear face masks at all times except dining. Pilots and staff are also required to wear sanitary gloves.
Like many commercial airlines, Blade has also made seating adjustments to maintain social distancing onboard.
Related: How travelers are using private jets to avoid coronavirus exposure
For those flying a Blade seaplane or jet, each passenger will have his or her own window seat with the aisle seats empty to create space between passengers. Bench seating has also been eliminated, but can be requested by two individuals flying together.
Related: What it's like to fly BLADEone from NYC to Miami
If you are taking a shorter commute aboard a Blade helicopter, you'll notice that the middle seat has been blocked.
On BLADEone flights to Miami and Aspen, meals are served fully covered. Additionally, lavatories onboard are sanitized after each use.
Additional reporting by Liz Hund
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees