British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have dropped the mask mandate on transatlantic flights – passengers on these flights between the UK and the US no longer are required to wear a mask but may do so at their own discretion.
This began after the US government on Tuesday declined to uphold the mask mandate for flights, which was anyway set to expire in two weeks. The result is Delta, American, United Airlines, Southwest, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue have now made masks optional. American announced: “Face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at US airports and on domestic flights.”
However, not everyone in the US agrees that going without masks in public is a good thing. Critics say the judge who ruled that mask-wearing on public transport could be dropped does not understand US public health law.
Generally, UK airlines too are dropping mask-wearing, with variations according to the country of arrival.
“We encourage everyone to be respectful of fellow passengers’ mask preferences, and across our network, we continue to adhere to all regulatory requirements,” Virgin Atlantic said. “Face masks will be a personal choice for our customers.”
EasyJet’s flights between England, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Isle of Man, Denmark, Sweden, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Hungary, Iceland and Poland no longer require face coverings.
Masks are optional on flights across Norwegian’s network.
Jet2 travellers also no longer have to wear face coverings at the British carrier’s domestic airports or on its flights, with the exception of flights to Scotland.
On TUI flights to or from England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the airline said it was no longer necessary to wear masks, but recommended bringing them.
Other European airlines, including Air France, KLM and Lufthansa continue imposing mask requirements on all routes, to comply with regulations in their own countries.
Israeli carrier, El Al requires pax to wear masks. Turkish Airlines also enforces mask-wearing.
Qatar, Emirates and Etihad all require masks.
