Lufthansa launches Covid-19 insurance and trials Covid tests

Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines are now offering their passengers a further option for even greater planning security in their travel plans, in addition to flexible rebooking options and the abolition of the rebooking fee. Additional Covid-19 services are now included in the existing insurance packages offered by the airlines' existing insurance partner. The customer can choose between two options: ‘Travel Care’ and ‘Travel Care Plus’.

Covid-19 travel insurance package

The insurance package of the Travel Care option includes a compensation payment for the passenger in case he/she has to go into quarantine at his/her destination due to a Covid-19 infection. At the same time, the option includes travel cancellation and trip interruption insurance. In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, the Travel Care Plus option also covers medical costs in the event of a Covid-19 infection of the passenger. Any emergency medical repatriation is also covered, and all benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of the insurance policy.

The insurance options can be booked with Lufthansa Group's insurance partner AIG Europe S.A. with immediate effect for passengers residing in Germany, Austria and Switzerland via the direct sales channels. Lufthansa Group Airlines is thus one of the first airlines to offer its customers travel insurance with Covid-19 coverage as a supplement travel product.

Rapid Covid-19 testing

From 12 November, Lufthansa will start the first test runs for comprehensive Covid-19 antigen rapid tests on selected routes between Munich and Hamburg. In close co-operation with Munich and Hamburg airports, as well as with the biotech companies Centogene and the Medicover Group's medical care centre MVZ Martinsried, the airline is offering its customers the opportunity to be tested for Covid-19 free of charge before departure on two daily flights. Passengers who do not wish to be tested will be transferred to an alternative flight at no additional cost.

The first test flight with 100-per-cent negative tested passengers is LH2058, which leaves Munich for Hamburg at 9.10 am. The second daily flight on which all passengers are tested is LH2059 from Hamburg to Munich.

Once the test is completed, customers receive their test results within 30 to 60 minutes. Only if the result is negative will the boarding pass be activated and access to the gate be granted. Alternatively, passengers can present a negative PCR test no older than 48 hours at departure. Lufthansa takes care of the complete rapid test procedure. There are no extra costs for the passenger. All they have to do is register in advance and allow a little more time before departure.

Christina Foerster, Lufthansa Group Executive Board Member for Customer, IT & Corporate Responsibility, said: “With our test strategy, we are pursuing the goal of using the data obtained to gain important insights into the use of rapid tests. Successful testing of entire flights can be the key to revitalising international air traffic.”