Virgin Atlantic offers free COVID insurance to battle booking crisis

Virgin Atlantic said Monday that it would introduce a free insurance policy for all new and existing flight bookings, pledging to cover up to GBP3,000 in expenses if a customer is denied boarding or has to quarantine due to a potential coronavirus infection. The move, which the airline said would “provide additional peace of mind” to customers, comes as the aviation industry confronts an unprecedented crisis in coronavirus, and underlines the extent to which airlines are trying to coax customers to make bookings. New analysis suggests that 85% of all airline routes across the world face some kind of travel restrictions. And 93% of routes in the highly industrialised G20 countries are subject to restrictions, according to a note from Swiss financial services firm UBS. The new Virgin Atlantic insurance policy will apply to all bookings up until 31 March 2021, and will also offer comprehensive cover if a customer or travel companion becomes ill with coronavirus. Emergency medical costs, and associated expenses such as transport, accommodation, and repatriation — up to a total of GBP500,000 — will be included, the airline said. The insurance policy will be fulfilled by Allianz Assistance, it said.<br/>