Emirates becomes the first airline in the world to offer 'Comprehensive Travel Cover' insurance. The latter provides enhanced travel protection, notably including medical cover in cases of incidents related to conflicts, as well as extended assistance in the event of disruptions. The key advantage is that this cover is valid even in the event of conflict. This has become an almost mandatory offering for the Middle East, given a geopolitical context that remains largely volatile.
The new policy also includes carrier-managed hotel accommodation and assistance in case of extended stays. When the itinerary includes connections with other carriers or when no Emirates flights are available, affected passengers will be rerouted to their final destination at no additional cost, including when cancellations are due to disruptions caused by conflict.
Developed with Travel Guard, this insurance enhances Emirates' existing offering and aims to provide travellers with greater peace of mind from the moment of booking.
The coverage includes, but is not limited to, trip cancellation, compensation for delayed or lost luggage, as well as unlimited medical expenses and emergency evacuation cover worldwide. The new conflict cover provides reimbursement for medical expenses up to $25,000 and a free extension of stay for up to 30 days. This protection applies regardless of the home country authorities' travel advisories.
As part of its "Fly Better" promise and commitment to its customers, Emirates will also cover the cost of accommodation for passengers during disruptions, including airspace closures. These measures complement the benefits already offered, such as free date changes for tickets booked since April 2nd and the option to hold a fare for 24 hours without charge.
The new insurance is available from today at a price that Emirates deems "accessible". It can be purchased immediately when booking on emirates.com or added later.
"We have found, by listening to our customers, that the demand for travel remained strong but that there was a gap in the market for insurance cover," explains Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline.
Etihad: free medical insurance in partnership with the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Its competitor, Etihad, Alongside this, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), [a] has launched free health insurance cover for all international visitors travelling to the emirate. The only obligation is to travel on Etihad flights between July and December 2026. This initiative is supported by The National Insurance Company.
Through this initiative, Etihad and DCT Abu Dhabi aim to reassure travellers and revive demand growth towards the destination by enhancing the traveller experience beyond air transport. The objective is to enable visitors to arrive in Abu Dhabi with integrated medical protection and greater peace of mind.
The insurance therefore temporarily applies to all travellers from July to December 2026. The period of cover can be up to 15 days in the United Arab Emirates.
No special formalities are necessary: the insurance is automatically included with every Etihad ticket that meets the eligibility criteria. This applies to passengers travelling to Abu Dhabi on a flight operated by the company, provided that the point of departure and the country of ticket purchase are outside the United Arab Emirates.
