Coronavirus prompts JetBlue to offer 100,000 health care workers free flights

A file image shows a JetBlue Airways plane. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

JetBlue is offering free roundtrip flights to frontline health care workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Wednesday, the airline announced its JetBlue Healthcare Hero, an initiative that will aim to give 100,000 medical professionals roundtrip flight certificates for future travel.

To kick off the program, JetBlue will donate pairs of flight certificates for 10,000 health care workers at the Mount Sinai Health System, including their Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island campuses. It will also provide the certificates to NYC Health + Hospitals.

RELATED: JetBlue to require customers to wear face coverings

JetBlue wants its customers to thank the health care workers they know by nominating them for a chance to get one of the free flights. Nominations can be made through May 15.

The company will also salute medical employees and first responders with a low altitude flyover tomorrow in New York City on Thursday at 7 p.m. The performance will include JetBlue’s three New York-themed special liveries honoring the Fire Department of New York and the New York Police Department, according to the statement. 

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JetBlue earlier this week joined other carriers in requiring customers to wear a face covering when traveling. The move follows a previous mandate for staff to wear face coverings.

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