Flying to the USA on BA - VeriFly app

I'm flying from UK to USA on 1 December 2021 with BA. Reading through the entry requirements on BA site, I come to the part about verifly app:

Get your documents prepared and approved in advance with the VeriFly app

For a quicker and easier journey, you can upload your COVID-19 travel documents into the VeriFLY app before you check in online and arrive at the airport:

Check and update your Advance Passenger Information in Manage My Booking.

Download the VeriFLY app and create a secure profile using the same name as in your booking.

The app will prompt you to confirm your flight details and ask you to upload proof of a negative COVID-19 test, vaccine certificate and any other required documents. (If you have a connecting flight, please only add flight details for the final leg of your journey. If you’re connecting through the UK, you’ll still need to complete a passenger locator form separately).

The app then checks that you meet your destination's requirements and displays a pass or fail message. You’ll receive an app notification and email with the full results.

Once your documents have been fully verified, you’ll be able to check in online. Make sure you bring all your original COVID-19 documents with you during your journey and look out for dedicated VeriFLY check-in and fast track lanes.

Now, I really don't want to have to install this third party app (and in reality, I can't, as my phone is issued by the employer and I am prohibited from installing anything on it). If I'm reading the above correctly, it's not mandatory and I can still check in at the airport instead.

I tried reaching out to BA on this, but couldn't get to the contact centre on the phone and received no reply to my email enquiry. Can anyone confirm the situation please?

If it matters, I'm flying "premium economy" class.

usa uk british-airways

Best Answer

I have made the trip a few times during covid and confirm that VeriFLY was NOT necessary. The airports both ends wanted to see the print out of the testing certificates with all the necessary information. We offered the VeriFLY and they still wanted to see the print out certificates. There was some noise about a special queue for those with VeriFLY but we couldn’t find this.

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Can you use VeriFLY from UK to USA?

Applicable Routes. VeriFLY can be used on the following routes: Flights within Europe: Travel to France, Portugal and Spain. Transatlantic flights: Travel from Ireland to the USA | Travel from the UK to the USA | Travel from the UK to Barbados.

How do I add a US trip to VeriFLY?

Adding Trip Details to a Pass

Tap Add Trip.

Under Flight Details, fill in the details for your flight (including Airline, Destination, Flight Number, etc.).

Under Traveler Details, VeriFLY will automatically fill in your information based on the name / date of birth used when creating your account.

Can I use VeriFLY for British Airways?

British Airways will not share your booking information with VeriFLY. You remain subject to British Airways' Terms and Conditions of Carriage which are applicable to your booking, including in relation to denied boarding for failure to meet country entry requirements.

Does VeriFLY app work for all airlines?

VeriFLY won't be useful for all airlines and/or destinations \u2014 the service partners with American Airlines and British Airways for international travel, but not most other airlines.

Use VeriFLY for pre-approved travel

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Karolina Grabowska, Matthis, Uriel Mont, Tim Samuel