The COVID-19 exams will be sent directly to business passengers buying premium tickets on American Airlines and British Airways via American Express Global Business Travel next year.

The airlines are teaming with Qured to provide travellers flying between the US and the UK quick antigen testing.

The self-administered tests are authorised by both the US and UK governments, and travellers get their findings electronically within two hours.

Passengers must follow steps after booking to get their test kits. So they may swab themselves, they only need to open the COVID-19 test kit that was supplied to their hotel or house.

Customers who test negative for COVID-19 will get a certificate of fitness for flight that they may present at the airport or upload to the VeriFly app, utilised by an estimated three million American Airlines and British Airways customers.