VietJet, which is a Vietnamese low cost carrier based in Hanoi, has a rather controversial promotion to get people onto their flights. Controversy is nothing new for this airline, as it’s the same airline that has had a bikini calendar, featuring their flight attendants.

VietJet offering insurance if you get coronavirus

VietJet is offering what they call “SKY COVID CARE” insurance — if you take a domestic flight on VietJet between March 23 and June 30, 2020, you’ll be eligible for insurance coverage and benefits in the event that you get COVID-19.

This will be valid for 30 days from your flight date, regardless of how you’re infected. Coverage will range from 20 million to 200 million VND (~855-8,555 USD).

To be eligible for the insurance coverage, the airline says that:

  • Passengers need to provide all information in accordance with VietJet’s “terms and conditions” when purchasing tickets and using aviation services
  • Passengers need to comply with all regulations on disease prevention and control of VietJet, the Ministry of Health, and authorities

How does VietJet explain this promotion?

As VietJet explains this policy, this is being offered with “the purpose to bring passengers assurance when flying on modern and comfortable aircraft with young and professional cabin crews.”

The airline notes that the health and safety of passengers and crew is “protected at the highest level against all risks of disease.”

Brilliant, or ridiculous and irresponsible?

Vietnam as a country has done fairly well controlling COVID-19 so far. The country “only” has 121 confirmed cases, and doesn’t have any confirmed deaths yet. Most of the recent cases have been from people who have traveled to Vietnam from elsewhere.

The country does have over 600 suspected cases, and more than 50,000 people are being monitored and quarantined, according to the health ministry.

Personally I don’t know what exactly the “mood” is in Vietnam at the moment, though to me this promotion seems highly irresponsible.

The airline suggests that the health and safety of passengers is protected “at the highest level against all risks of disease.”

Seriously? A fully loaded, extremely dense plane offers the highest level of protection against all risks and disease? Even compared, to, say, social distancing?

At least that’s my take as an American, given the situation we’re in at the moment. I’m doing what I can to social distance, and I know airlines are in a tough spot, but trying to encourage people to fly by downplaying the risk of COVID-19 seems highly irresponsible.

At least that’s my take…

What do you make of VietJet’s promotion?

(Tip of the hat to @jonostrower)

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