Covid hasn't gone for good yet but many of us are starting to look at holidays abroad again and enjoying that feeling of getting on an airplane to visit somewhere new, or a place we've loved visiting before. Part of that process is what sort of rules apply with regards to wearing masks at the airport or on the plane as we get away.
Nottinghamshire Live has taken a look at the websites of Jet2, Easyjet, Ryanair and British Airways to see the information available on Friday April 1, 2022. Please note that information can change quickly so it is best to check again before your departure to see what advice and regulations are in place before travelling.
Jet2
England and Northern Ireland: 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.
Scotland: It’s still a legal requirement for everyone aged six years and over to wear a face mask at our Scottish airports and onboard our planes travelling to and from those airports. This is the case even if you're fully vaccinated.
If you’re unable to wear a mask, you must let us know in advance to be able to travel – please provide proof of your exemption to our Special Assistance team on 0800 408 5591 so we can authorise your travel. We’ll ask you for specific medical evidence to confirm this, as we don’t accept downloaded exemption cards or lanyards as proof of exemption. And if you fail to wear a face mask without our agreement, you’ll not be allowed to board your flight.
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Easyjet
Many of the countries we fly to still require that masks are worn, and you may need one at the airport, at the gate and during your flight. Masks are only optional on a small number of our routes, as shown below, but we'll continue to review and update this list when destination requirements change.
All flights to, from and within – Italy, Austria and Germany: All passengers aged 6 and over are required to wear a FFP2 when they fly.
All flights to, from and within France: All passengers aged 6 and over are required to wear a FFP2 or surgical masks when they fly. Cloth masks, scarves, visors and masks with valves are not accepted.
All flights between England, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Isle of Man, Denmark, Gibraltar, Hungary, Iceland and Poland: It's no longer a legal requirement to wear a mask if you’re flying between any of these destinations. It may be helpful to have a mask with you, but wearing a mask is optional and your choice will be respected..
Please remember that masks are only optional when you’re flying between the above destinations. If you are flying from Italy to England for example, a FFP2 mask will still be required.
All other routes: All passengers aged six and over need to wear a suitable face mask (no scarves, face visors or masks with valves) when they fly. You may not be able to board without one. If you are exempt, you'll need to let us know beforehand.
Passengers are required to provide their own masks and we'd encourage all customers to ensure they have a suitable protective face mask ready to be worn before arriving at the airport. There may be dispensing machines for masks available at airports, however, we strongly encourage everyone to arrive with a mask.
Ryanair
Travel restrictions apply and it is the responsibility of each passenger to check local requirements here before travelling. You MUST also complete the necessary forms here or you may be denied boarding.
You must wear a face mask / covering in the airport and on board your flight. Some countries require this to be a surgical face mask (for exemptions, see Ryanair's GTCC). If you are travelling to/from/within Italy, Austria or Germany, it must be a FFP2 face mask.
On arrival, please keep your face mask on until you have left the airport terminal. Try to maintain social distancing as you pass through the airport and at the baggage carousel if you are collecting a bag.
British Airways
One of the requirements introduced was for us all to wear face coverings.
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.
Therefore, we ask you to check the requirements of the destination you’re flying to before departing for the airport, as:
- If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask on board if the destination you are flying to or from requires you to
- If you are travelling on our flights, you will be required to wear a mask to disembark the aircraft, and at your arrival airport, if the destination you are flying to requires it
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.
