Passengers as young as six-years-old will be required to wear face masks onboard selected UK airlines despite the government continuing to ease travel restrictions.
Several airlines have updated their flight policies with selected operators not budging on the no face mask rule.
The news may upset some holidaymakers but several airlines have said that the safety of their staff and passengers on board remains their number one priority.
For the last three years the pandemic has impacted travel plans, leaving many holidaymakers frustrated and out of pocket.
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces even further easing of travel restrictions, many are hoping this would mean being able to fly mask free from the UK.
However it seems many airlines are keeping their mask mandates in place, and will still require their passengers to wear a facemask at all times whilst on board.
For example, passengers travelling with easyJet will need to continue wearing their facemasks for the foreseeable future including those as young as six.
Sticking with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidelines, all UK airlines will continue to follow health and safety measures laid out for travellers, including the wearing of masks, frequent hand sanitisation, and limiting their on board offerings.
Whilst each airline has its own policy with regards to these safety measures, all passengers must expect to wear a mask at all times whilst travelling with any airline, and it's important to check your airlines guidance before flying if there are any other restrictions in place.
Below we've compiled a handy guide on the latest travel guidance for each UK airline, including TUI, Jet2, Ryanair, easyJet and more. You'll find information on facemask rules for each and other important restrictions that may be in place.
TUI
TUI are continuing to follow EASA guidelines.
They said: "We continue to follow EASA advice and guidelines with regards to all health and safety measures, including the use of face masks onboard our flights.
"All passengers travelling on TUI Airways will continue to be asked to wear a facemask as a condition of carriage unless they’re exempt or under 12 years old."
TUI recommends that you carry evidence of this from your doctor, as well as checking local regulations and requirements before you set off on holiday. They also remind fliers that Sunflower Lanyards are a UK initiative, and overseas countries do not recognise it as an exemption.
For a full list of their exemptions, contact TUI directly.
The airline is also currently operating a cashless system, in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
TUI is running a sale until October, 31, 2022, offering customers up to £300 off their holidays. See here for more information.
Jet2
Meanwhile, Jet2 requests that all passengers aged six and up wear a mask whilst onboard, whist travellers who are exempt must notify Jet2 in advance and provide medical documentation.
You'll need to contact Jet2 directly to find out their full list of medical exemptions, and what documents you need to provide.
They are also requesting passengers stay in their seats as much as possible to maintain social distancing where possible, and to use contactless payments if they can.
Jet2 is currently offering holidaymakers 10% off flights to a variety of countries. For more information, visit their website.
easyJet
Travellers choosing easyJet will only be allowed to travel while wearing surgical or cloth facemasks - they are no longer allowing visors or scarves to be worn as an alternative.
Those who are exempt will need to fill in their online form prior to boarding the plane, and should remember that certain countries require a medical exemption letter from a doctor to allow you to fly.
easyJet will also continue to ask fliers to stow their own overhead luggage, and to limit their movements around the plane.
easyJet are also currently offering a free protection promise, allowing passengers to change the details of their flight up to two hours before flying on all flights until March 31, 2022.
You can find out more on their website.
British Airways
British Airways passengers will still have to follow health and safety guidelines, including wearing masks on board, limiting their movements around the cabin, and using the provided anti bacterial wipes to clean hands and any surfaces before using them.
Exemptions for facemasks are allowed for those who meet the government website's exemption list, and children up to six years old are not required to wear one.
Their BA lounges will also be operating as usual, but with social distancing measures in place and sanitising stations provided throughout.
To help you understand more of what the requirements for each destination country are, British Airways also allow you to input your passport and flight details to give you a detailed breakdown of what you need before flying. This can be found on their website.
BA are also currently offering deals on their flights and holidays, visit their deals page to find out more.
Aer Lingus
For travellers flying with Aer Lingus, cloth or disposable masks are required on board all flights, unless a medical certificate proving exemption is provided.
Aer Lingus is following the government's guidance on who is exempt from wearing a facemask on board.
They will also continue to be offering a reduced in-flight service with cashless payments only to minimise the risk of contact.
Aer Lingus are also currently offering deals on flights to Ireland. The offer will run until March 26, 2022 on their website.
Ryanair
Any passengers travelling with Ryanair will need to ensure they have all the proper documents that their destination countries require, as well as continuing to follow health and safety rules laid out, including wearing masks on board and regular hand washing.
Certain countries will also require different types of facemasks to be worn, and it's important to know which these are before you travel.
For example, Italy requires a surgical facemask, whilst Austria and Germany require travellers to wear an FFP2 mask.
For anyone with a medical exemption, certificates must be provided before flying to prove you don't need to wear one on board.
You can contact Ryanair directly to check whether you are medically exempt or not.
Emirates
For anyone flying with Emirates, cloth or disposable surgical masks are required at all times whilst on board and in the airport.
For anyone medically exempt, there's a medical information form on their website that must be filled in. They have also reduced the number of people permitted into their Emirates lounge to make sure social distancing is possible.
A full list of their medical exemptions can be found in the Emirates Covid Hub.
Emirates are also offering passengers a range of travel protections, including Covid-19 medical insurance and flexible tickets., which can be found on their website.
Etihad
Etihad requires all passengers to provide proof of a negative test before flying with their airline, and facemasks must be worn at all times whilst on board.
They are also offering global Covid-19 cover with every plane ticket, so you can make sure you stay protected in case of disruptions caused by the pandemic, and allowing passengers to rebook or cancel flights for free.
Etihad are currently offering a range of deals on all flights from London, including flights to Duba starting from £313, if booked by 28 Feb 2022.
Wizz Air
Passengers flying with Wizz Air will still have to keep in line with current health and safety guidelines, including wearing masks on board and respecting social distancing where possible.
There will also be contactless payments and document checks to minimise the risk of contamination.
Wizz Air is currently offering holiday seekers 20% off a huge range of flights, and giving passengers the chance to use their Wizz Flex scheme, that allows passengers to freely change, rebook and cancel their flights without charges.
More information can be found on their website.
Loganair
Anyone wishing to fly via Loganair will also have to continue to follow guidelines set out.
A spokesperson for the airline said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has led to updates of travel protocols which, amongst others, set out additional flexibility for customers to change tickets; mandate the wearing of face coverings on Loganair flights unless conditions for a medical exemption from wearing a face covering exist; and require customers on international flights to ensure that they have taken all necessary steps to gain access to their destination country."
Loganair are also currently running a competition on their website, which grants one person the chance to win a diamond ticket, redeemable for 60 free flights with the airline.
