Which European Airlines Don’t Require A Mask On All Flights
Fortunately, as COVID-19 travel restrictions eased worldwide, several European airlines have dropped the mask-mandate onboard most of their flights since March. With the removal of the mask mandate in the US as of April 18th, mask-wearing has become more of a personal choice across European airlines across all flights.
Having been the first major airline to phase out face masks, Jet2 announced the good news to its passengers at the beginning of March. Soon after, TUI Airways followed behind on March 11th, before British Airways came next in line to remove the mask mandate on March 16th.
Similarly, Virgin Atlantic decided the same in making mask-wearing optional unless the destination required it.
On March 22nd, EasyJet joined the bandwagon by announcing changes to its mask-wearing policy onboard.
KLM decided not to enforce mask-wearing on any flights unless the destination required it.
Fellow subsidiary Transavia also followed suit and scrapped the enforcement of mask-wearing onboard from March 23rd, alongside other Dutch carriers such as Corendon and TUI fly Netherlands
Norwegian has somewhat scrapped its mask-wearing requirements onboard but advises passengers to keep one on hand still as restrictions vary from destinations.
Icelandair has updated its face mask requirements to be aligned with the majority of airlines mentioned here, making it only mandatory for flights towards destinations that require it. And today April 25, Finnair will be revoking its mask requirements for all its flights, unless required by the destination or origin country.
Croatia Airlines also ended its in-flight mask policy for all flights within Croatian airspace and to destinations that do not require masks.
Scandinavian’s SAS has only taken baby steps by dropping mask requirements when traveling within Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
Lufthansa will only accept an exemption to the compulsory wearing of a mask on the proof of an approved negative COVID-19 PCR test result from no more than 48 hours old at the start of the flight and a doctor’s signature on the corresponding Lufthansa Group medical certificate form.
Since the US facemask mandate no longer exists and most US airlines have eliminated the use of facemasks on board, facemasks are now optional on domestic flights. However, certain airports or countries may still require facemasks, so check the policy at your destination before departure.
The Philadelphia International Airport said masks must still be worn inside the airport’s terminals in compliance with the governor’s indoor mask requirement.
San Francisco International Airport announced on 19 April that masks are now optional for guests and employees. Masks are also no longer required at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway International Airports.