Could this really be the end of face masks on UK airlines? It has been two years since airlines in the UK and around the world have had to adapt to COVID and additional provisions like face masks and coverings. Whilst in England, all legal requirements, including wearing face masks, ended this month. Is it still required to wear a face mask whilst travelling? And could this be the end of face masks on UK airlines?
Some major UK airlines have changed their face mask policy this week, but does this mean that it’s the end of wearing masks onboard for good? Well, I am afraid it’s not quite that simple, and it depends on what airline you fly with and what destinations you are travelling to or from.
Whilst it can be challenging to keep track of each airline’s policies. Below we have set out what some of the UK’s biggest airlines have said about masks. At least for the foreseeable future, the days of masking up on a plane are far from over, quite yet!
British Airways
The Uk’s flagship airline had confused a few people this week and updated their Twitter post when they Tweeted that from the 16th of March, their face mask policy is changing. It would have meant that flights to many destinations that BA fly to would not insist on you to wear a face mask. Like London Heathrow, the airline’s biggest hub.
However, the Independent Newspaper reported that passengers were still being asked to wear a face mask with them publishing an article online called “Mask Confusion: – British Airways Now Clear About Lifting Face Covering Mandate.
BA has now confirmed after a few days of confusion. It has once again revised its guidance for passengers. Aligned with Heathrow Airports policy which lifted the obligation to wear face coverings from the 16th of March 2022. British Airways is now telling passengers
BA Say
“Customers are no longer required to wear a mask at some airports in England. However, as an international airline flying all around the world, we are obliged to ensure our customers continue to comply with local restrictions and meet the requirements of the destination they arrive at.
Where we are unsure or have not been able to clarify the local restrictions, we will still require you to wear face coverings, and we ask that you continue to carry masks with you for the duration of your journey. For destinations where we have established that the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, you are able to make a personal choice and we kindly request everyone respects each other’s preferences.”
British Airways (BA)
So, in a nutshell, BA policy says it depends on the country you are travelling to and if in doubt, carry a mask just in case you are required to wear one. On flights where one is still mandatary, you are as before allowed to remove it for a reasonable amount of time for eating and drinking.
EasyJet
Just as we were going to publish this post, the low-cost airline has updated its mask policy. It still requires all passengers over 6 to wear an approved mask on all of its flights until the 27th March 2022. But from this date, on UK flights between UK domestic airports (except Scotland) and countries where masks are not required. (Currently Denmark, Iceland and Gibraltar) the crew and its passengers are not required to wear a mask if they choose not to. Whilst currently only a very small selection of flights, it’s a start.
For its remaining flights, the airline’s website states that they no longer allow scarves, face visors or masks with valves. Masks will need to be either cloth material or surgical and FFP2 certified or equivalent. It also states that you may be refused travel if your mask is unsuitable.
Some countries also have specific requirements on the type of mask you must wear and what age criteria. Check out easyJet’s travel restriction and entry requirement page for full details.
If a passenger feels they are exempt from wearing a mask, they can fill in a webform on its website or show the cabin crew a valid medical letter or certificate which matches the name on the booking and is dated in the last 12 months. Failure to notify the airline or provide the cabin crew with a medical letter will mean you will be denied boarding unless you agree to wear a mask.
Jet 2
A new month and new rules for Jet2! Jet2 became the first UK airline to make wearing a mask optional on most flights. It stressed that masks would still need to be worn at Scottish airports and on flights departing to Scotland. Jet2 said in a statement,
“It’s no longer a legal requirement to wear a face mask at our airports or onboard our planes. However, as per UK Government guidance, we recommend that you continue to wear a face mask in these spaces, and you will need to wear one when you get to your overseas destination.”
Jet2 https://www.jet2.com/en/flights/safe-travel/our-face-mask-policy
However, its website mentions that you would need to wear a mask when leaving the plane, inside airports and on their transfers to and from your accommodation, even if fully vaccinated when landing overseas.
Ryanair
Ryanair still requires all passengers to wear masks as it has throughout the pandemic. The Ryanair website states that your temperature may be checked at the airport and that it is mandatory to wear a face mask/covering in the airport and onboard your flight.
The Daily Mail, with its slightly misleading headline of “Now Ryanair drops mask-wearing on planes”, then goes on to say that Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary said he would “like” to see the end of face coverings on planes by the end of April.
So, it’s mask up as usual on any Ryanair flight for now.
Tui
From March 11th Tui have said it is optional but still “strongly recommend” the use of face masks onboard from England. Their policy also tells you to make sure you have a mask with you as in some destinations you may need it getting off the plane, at airports and using public transport or transfers.
Passengers aged six or over travelling to Italy and two or over travelling to the United States of America are still required to wear approved facemasks whilst onboard for the duration of the flight, regardless of vaccination status.
If you feel that you are exempt from wearing a face mask, the airline asks you to carry evidence of this from your doctor. It mentions that the sunflower lanyards are a UK initiative that is not recognised overseas.
Virgin Atlantic
Depending on what destination you are flying to, it will depend if you will be required to wear a face mask on Virgin Services. Virgin’s new policy is being introduced gradually to help its crew and customers adapt to the changes.
Virgin is allowing its customers to have the choice not to wear a mask on its Caribbean services, Manchester Airport and London Heathrow Airport. Its website stresses that “everyone should be respectful to other passengers and masks are still available to those who would like to wear them. The Caribbean routes include Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, The Bahamas, Jamaica, St Vincent and Trinidad & Tobago.
Masks may still be needed when leaving the aircraft at your destination, so it’s always handy to carry a few with you. More destinations will be added later.
So Is This The End Of Face Masks On UK Airlines?
It’s clear from all the above airlines that masks will still be seen onboard for some destinations, and some passengers will still want to wear them for a little longer.
While some airlines are being allowed to relax these rules, some airlines are trying to keep the airline policy the same regardless of destination. I think until all (or most) destinations around the world won’t require masks on transport, airlines will find it hard to remove face masks fully.
Let us know your views on face masks when flying in the comments below. Also, are you flying out of Manchester Airport soon? Check out my review of Escape Lounge, Terminal 1
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Great post and very timely. Interesting read.