This Airline Will Cover COVID-19 Cases From Travel
Joe Cortez July 23, 2020
To encourage flyers to book international flights, Emirates is now offering free coverage if a passenger contracts COVID-19 during their trip. Travelers can qualify for up to $173,000 of medical expenses and $116 of daily quarantine costs for up to 14 days if they book their trip direct with the airline.
Middle East carrier Emirates wants to help you see the world in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and will provide up to around $174,000 (150,000 Euros) of medical expense coverage if you contract the novel Coronavirus. The airline announced the new offer for flyers who book their trips directly with Emirates or through their travel agent.
Coverage Includes Medical Expenses and Daily Quarantine Stipend
The airline’s plan applies to travelers who fly aboard Emirates between July 23 and Oct. 31, 2020. The free global cover will apply to all flyers, regardless of their class.
During their trip with Emirates, if a flyer ends up with a confirmed case of COVID-19, the airline’s free global cover will pay medical expenses up to around $174,000. And if you are forced to quarantine, the airline will cover those costs up to $116 per day (100 Euros), for up to 14 days. The coverage is subject to terms and conditions, and may require pre-approval.
The coverage from Emirates is valid for 31 days after the traveler embarks with the Dubai-based carrier, even if they end up flying onwards to another city. The airline promises there are no registration forms to complete: Simply purchase a ticket, and you are covered.
“We’re the first airline to provide free cover for your health and quarantine costs if you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 on your travels,” the airline wrote in their announcement. “We’re keeping you safe on the journey and giving you extra security wherever you are in the world.”
Coverage Comes as Airline Reconfigures Schedule
The airline’s coverage offer is in-sync with the re-alignment of the airline’s network. Emirates previously reported they would cut daily routes from heavily infected areas from COVID-19, including the United Kingdom.
Executives are also considering their fleet operations, consisting of all Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft. While the airline agrees that the entire industry may not recover until 2022, they remain committed to flying the recently-discontinued superjumbo jet after the pandemic is over.
It's because they know the risk is lower than those benefiting from the hysteria would like us to believe. Perhaps the free market might come in handy for something after all.
IANAL, but it sounds like if Emirates ran a flight from the US to the UK...would the policy go towards mandatory "self-quarantine" on arrival?
As much as I love to travel, that free insurance coverage would not encourage me to fly when my better judgment tells me to stay home.
Amongst the coverage exclusions “your travel against your home country’s government advice or against local authority advice at your trip destination”
As much as I love to travel, that would not encourage me to fly when my better judgment tells me to stay home.