Virgin Atlantic to provide free coronavirus insurance for all passengers

Virgin Atlantic is offering Covid-19 insurance cover, free of charge, to all passengers.

The airline has launched what it claims is “the most comprehensive Covid-19 cover provided by any major airline” for all new and existing bookings up until 31 March 2021.

The policy, which requires no excess payment should things go wrong, covers expenses up to £500,000 should a passenger or their travel companion get coronavirus while on a trip, plus expenses up to £3,000 if they’re denied boarding or are required to quarantine on their trip due to actual or suspected Covid-19.

Emergency medical costs, treatment, associated expenses such as transport and accommodation and repatriation home, if required, are also included.

Cover is offered in partnership with Allianz Assistance, and applied to all airline passengers and customers who have booked Virgin Atlantic Holidays that include Virgin Atlantic flights.

It will also apply to anyone with a Virgin Atlantic plane ticket, even if their flight is operated by a partner carrier, such as Air France-KLM or Delta Air Lines.

The policy is applied automatically and is designed to complement existing travel insurance, providing “additional peace of mind for upcoming trips,” according to the airline.

Juha Jarvinen, chief commercial officer at Virgin Atlantic said: “Our priority is always the health and safety of our people and customers and this industry-leading Virgin Atlantic Covid-19 Cover ensures customers can continue to fly safe and fly well with us.

“Following our return to the skies to much-loved destinations like Barbados, we’re planning more services in the autumn, as travel restrictions continue to ease, including London Heathrow to Montego Bay, Antigua, Lagos and Tel Aviv.

“Whether it’s to visit friends and relatives or take a well-deserved break, we believe this complimentary cover will provide some added reassurance for our customers as they start to plan trips further afield.

“It applies in parallel to existing travel insurance policies which may now exclude Covid-19, and provides comprehensive cover for coronavirus, recognising the needs of our customers as we restart services.”

In addition, Virgin Atlantic is still offering flexible fares, with customers able to make two date changes to their flights without have to pay an admin fee, and rebooking available up until 30 September 2022.

The new policy comes as Virgin Atlantic awaits an important vote which will determine whether the airline can be saved from bankruptcy.

Virgin Atlantic has warned it will “run out of money altogether” by the final week of September if creditors do not agree to a £1.2bn bailout package tomorrow.

The rescue deal, which includes proposing creditors accept a 20 per cent chop in the money the airline will pay them back, will be voted on at the High Court.

Some 170 parties to whom the Sir Richard Branson-owned carrier owes payments must also agree to receive their cash back in staggered instalments.