Face masks and air travel

TUI has scrapped the requirement to wear face masks on most flights to and from England and Northern Ireland. 

It follows Jet2 which was the first major airline to drop mandatory face coverings.

Both airlines still recommend wearing masks even though it is no longer legally required.

On the airport front last week Heathrow Airport Ltd confirmed that facial coverings would no longer be mandated in the terminals and rail stations or office buildings.

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic welcomed the move, signalling they will be revising their onboard face covering policies as well.

Face coverings are still required on flights to and from Wales and Scotland and for passengers travelling to the US and Italy.   Last week the US extended its federal mask mandate for another month to mid-April.

BA said: “As an international airline we fly to a large number of countries around the world, all of which have their own local restrictions and legal requirements. We’re working through these and from Wednesday March 16, customers will only be required to wear a face covering on board our flights if the destination they’re travelling to requires it. For destinations where the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, our customers are able to make a personal choice, and we kindly request everyone respects each other’s preferences”.

www.tui.co.uk

www.heathrow.com

www.britishairways.com/face masks

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