Qatar Airways gives free international flights to healthcare workers

Qatar Airways will give away thousands of tickets – but the promotion raises questions around when we will be able to travel overseas again.

Qatar Airways has announced they’ll be giving away thousands of flights – but you’ll have to be working in a particular industry to have a chance of snapping up a ticket.

To celebrate International Nurses Day, the airline will give 100,000 flights to healthcare professionals on a first come, first serve basis.

“We at Qatar Airways are incredibly grateful for the commitment and hard work of healthcare professionals around the world who looked after people in these times of uncertainty,” Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al-Baker, said in a statement on their website.

“Their heroic display of kindness, dedication, and professionalism has saved hundreds of thousands of lives around the world.”

The giveaway is open to frontline workers including doctors, nurses, paramedics and pharmacists. Picture: Supplied

“United in dedication, we share our gratitude,” the statement read. “Now it is our turn to give something back to those on the healthcare frontline. There are no words or gestures that are enough to repay these brave men and women but we hope that our small offer of a complimentary return flight on Qatar Airways will allow them to enjoy a well-deserved holiday, visit family and friends or explore a destination they have always dreamt of, as travel restrictions start to ease.”

Doctors, Medical practitioners, Nurses, Lab Technicians, Clinical Researchers, and Pharmacists from all over the world will be eligible to apply for a ticket, however each country will receive an allocation of flights to keep the giveaway fair.

According to the airline, the frontline workers who are selected will be able to book up to two complimentary economy class roundtrip tickets to anywhere the airline flies including Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

The airline says winners will be required to book their flights until November 26, and travel valid until 10 December 2020. According to an airline spokesperson, the tickets will be fully flexible, with an unlimited number of destination or date changes allowed without any fees.

But the competition poses a problem for Australians, who are currently banned from international travel with no insight into when international travel will be allowed once again.

Qatar Airways has announced they will be giving away 100,000 free tickets to frontline health workers. Picture: Supplied

“The offer by Qatar Airways is really generous, although the question remains, how many people will be able to take advantage of it considering the current travel restrictions,” Immanuel Debeer, founder and editor of FlightHacks.com.au said.

“On the positive, it’s clear Qatar Airways doesn’t believe travel in 2020 is cancelled. Any healthcare professionals looking to take advantage should look at booking towards the end of the year with the hope that since the tickets are flexible, they can be rescheduled for 2021.”

Eligible applicants can apply around the world directly on the Qatar Airways website.

Applicants will need to submit a form, with the competition kicking off on May 12 and will run through until May 18. The winners will be announced on the following day.