The enhanced offering provides South African travellers with expanded
protection and support before and during their journeys, including
access to conflict-related medical expense cover, trip extension
benefits and additional assistance during travel disruptions
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 17, 2026/ —
- First airline in the world to offer this level of comprehensive travel cover
- Robust conflict-related medical expense protection and free 30-day trip extension
- Airline-managed hotel stays and extended-stay support during disruption
- Complimentary rebooking on other airlines during conflict-related cancellations
- Cover that stands, regardless of government travel advice
Emirates (www.Emirates.com [6]) has become the first airline in the
world to offer Comprehensive Travel Cover, an industry-first travel
insurance product that handles it all, including medical cover for
conflict-related incidents, backed by airline-managed hotel
accommodation and extended-stay support across a range of disruption
scenarios.
When itineraries include connecting on other airlines or Emirates
services are unavailable, Emirates will also rebook disrupted customers
to their destination at no additional cost, including where flights have
been cancelled due to conflict-related disruption.
Customers can now plan and travel with even greater peace of mind from
the moment they book their journey, with expanded medical cover in the
insurance product, supported by Travel Guard, and additional disruption
support by Emirates on top of the existing travel insurance offering.
For customers in South Africa, Emirates’ Comprehensive Travel Cover will
be available from 17 June 2026 and can be purchased when booking flights
on emirates.com or added to existing bookings via Manage Booking. The
enhanced offering provides South African travellers with expanded
protection and support before and during their journeys, including
access to conflict-related medical expense cover, trip extension
benefits and additional assistance during travel disruptions.
Emirates’ new Comprehensive Travel Cover includes trip cancellation
cover, compensation for baggage delay or loss, unlimited medical expense
and emergency evacuation cover worldwide, among other generous benefits.
Newly added conflict cover provides reimbursement for medical expenses
of up to US$ 25,000 and a free trip extension of up to 30 days. The
cover is not restricted by government travel advice.
Rooted in Emirates’ ‘fly better’ brand promise and its duty of care to
customers is airline-managed hotel accommodation during disruptions,
including airspace closures**. This is in addition to existing
customer-first benefits such as a free date change for tickets booked
from 2 April, and the option to ‘_hold my fare’_ for 24 hours free
of charge, giving travellers flexibility, reassurance, and support at
every step.
Emirates Comprehensive Travel Cover is available at an accessible
premium and delivers exceptional value. Available from today, it can be
purchased on emirates.com at the time of booking or added to existing
bookings via Manage Booking.*
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “Listening to customer
feedback, we realised that travel demand remains strong but there was a
gap in the market with regards to travel insurance cover. Therefore, we
acted to address our customers’ needs. Together with Travel Guard, a
leader in the global insurance industry, Emirates is pleased to offer an
enhanced travel insurance product that is as comprehensive as it is
reassuring for a wider range of situations. With strong demand for
travel in summer, we are proud to offer our customers added confidence
in planning their journeys to and through Dubai when they book with
Emirates.”
Russel Antonio, Head of Global Business & Partnerships, Travel Guard
added: “Our long-standing collaboration with Emirates is grounded in a
shared commitment to elevating the customer experience. By combining our
strengths once again, this new comprehensive travel product offers
enhanced protection that sets a new benchmark in the industry and
responds to the needs of today’s travellers.”
