The End Of Masks On Flights
For the last two years, we’ve all had to wear masks on public transport, regardless of where we come from. However, some airlines have now removed mask mandates on their flights.
As a result, masks are now a personal choice.
In the United States, however, the TSA has extended its mask mandate by another month; it will now end on April 18. So American airlines haven’t removed their mask mandates (although that will change next month.)
However, these airlines outside the United States have already removed their mask mandates:
1. British Airways
British Airways became the biggest airliner to remove its mask mandate on March 16, 2022. The airline told their passengers: “The legal requirement to wear a face-covering has now been removed in England and Wales and we have updated our face mask policy,”
“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.”
2. Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic, one of Britain’s biggest airlines, dropped its mask mandate on flights on March 16, 2022. Although British Airways scrapped their mask mandate at once, Virgin Atlantic said they would gradually ease their mask mandate, starting with flights from the Caribbean.
Virgin Atlantic CEO, Corneel Koster, said: “As we learn to live with Covid and with the legal requirement to wear a face mask now removed in England, we believe our customers should have the personal choice whether to wear a mask on board, on routes where international regulations around mask-wearing do not apply.”
3. KLM
Popular Dutch airline KLM has removed its mask mandate on 17 March 2022. KLM’s decision to remove masks wasn’t in line with the Dutch government who’ve removed masks in all public settings apart from public transport.
Regarding the Dutch government’s decision, KLM said: “The industry considers this approach inappropriate, given the stage of the pandemic. Moreover, it is at odds with European and international developments that we follow closely. Because the explainability and proportionality continue to decline, we see an increase in misunderstanding among our passengers and a growing number and also more serious incidents with ‘unruly’ passengers, which may negatively affect the safety of a flight.”
4. TUI
British airliner TUI no longer requires customers to wear masks on its flights to and from England and Northern Ireland because it’s no longer a legal requirement to wear masks there. However, the airliner still “strongly recommends” continuing to wear masks.
TUI also says travelers on flights to Italy and the U.S. must wear masks from their entire flight due to laws within those countries. The airline states: “It’s important to note that you may still be required to wear a mask when leaving the aircraft and once inside the airport at your arrival destination.”
5. Jet2
Jet2 states that masks are no longer mandatory on flights to and from England and Northern Ireland. However, the airline still recommends that passengers wear them on board its flights. They became the first British airliner
Jet2 states: “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.
6. Transavia
Dutch airline Transavia has scrapped its mask mandate in flights—in spite of the Dutch government maintaining the mask mandate—as it fears issues with angry passengers. The airline said: “This is causing non-compliance and anger [among passengers] and is jeopardizing flight safety,”
Transavia, similarly to KLM, will stress the importance of wearing face masks on board the plane; however, there will be no sanctions if people refuse.
