First airline to go maskless (Jet2 - a UK airline), Now British Airways and Virgin Atlantic

[mefordis]

Jet2 becomes first airline to scrap face masks on flights

https://thepointsguy.com/news/jet2-airline-scrap-face-masks-on-flights-covid/

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Jet2 becomes first airline to scrap face masks on flights

https://thepointsguy.com/news/jet2-airline-scrap-face-masks-on-flights-covid/

Well, that bumps them to the bottom of my fly list.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Whatever- it's a FEDERAL Mandate!
It is ever so apparent too many people care less of rules they are to follow.
The #1 and #2 places to wear a mask: an Airplane and a Healthcare setting.

 

[lowlight]

Whatever- it's a FEDERAL Mandate!
It is ever so apparent too many people care less of rules they are to follow.
The #1 and #2 places to wear a mask: an Airplane and a Healthcare setting.

This article is about a UK airline.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Whatever- it's a FEDERAL Mandate!
It is ever so apparent too many people care less of rules they are to follow.
The #1 and #2 places to wear a mask: an Airplane and a Healthcare setting.

Jet2 is a UK airline.

 

[neverlandsky]

Passengers flying chose to mask up decades prior before 2020. Masking optional has been and is respected and accepted with migration/travel.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Passengers flying chose to mask up decades prior before 2020. Masking optional has been and is respected and accepted with migration/travel.

We had a river cruise in Europe planned for March 2020. I had already purchased masks (before COVID hit) to wear onboard our 11 hour flight there, as I seem to catch some sort of cold/respiratory illness when we fly. I plan to wear a mask when we are finally able to take our 2 times postponed cruise this year, regardless if it's mandated or not.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

An interesting thing to keep in mind is that the airline is not maskless entirely. Per the article "the airline also asked passengers to wear their masks for takeoffs and landings in foreign countries...while a plane is governed by the laws of its registered nation during a flight, it becomes subject to local jurisdiction as soon as it touches down."

And the article points out "warn travelers that wearing masks is still mandatory in many airports across the world and recommended that travelers continue to carry them in case they’re needed upon arrival at their destination."

So basically you'll still need a mask more than likely.

Also OP you should update your headline to mention first UK airline after masking requirements in the UK were relaxed. Most people here are in the U.S. and it's going to be VERY easy to create a debate (and I'm wondering if that was the intent or not) on masking rules especially as covid rules have been VERY different between the U.S. and the UK. Honestly this probably should have been put over on the UK Community Board and if it had it would have likely stayed non-controversial.

 

[mefordis]

An interesting thing to keep in mind is that the airline is not maskless entirely. Per the article "the airline also asked passengers to wear their masks for takeoffs and landings in foreign countries...while a plane is governed by the laws of its registered nation during a flight, it becomes subject to local jurisdiction as soon as it touches down."

And the article points out "warn travelers that wearing masks is still mandatory in many airports across the world and recommended that travelers continue to carry them in case they’re needed upon arrival at their destination."

So basically you'll still need a mask more than likely.

Also OP you should update your headline to mention first UK airline after masking requirements in the UK were relaxed. Most people here are in the U.S. and it's going to be VERY easy to create a debate (and I'm wondering if that was the intent or not) on masking rules especially as covid rules have been VERY different between the U.S. and the UK. Honestly this probably should have been put over on the UK Community Board and if it had it would have likely stayed non-controversial.

I definitely didn't intend to make a controversial post. I am very sorry if it becomes that. Maybe the mods should move it or delete it altogether? I posted it only because I was very surprised.

 

[EMom]

I’m crossing my fingers the mask mandate is gone by the time we vacation this summer. The flight is nearly 9 hours long and I am one of those who has difficulty wearing a mask. We may wind up canceling if it’s still in effect.

 

[wvjules]

I’m crossing my fingers the mask mandate is gone by the time we vacation this summer. The flight is nearly 9 hours long and I am one of those who has difficulty wearing a mask. We may wind up canceling if it’s still in effect.

We flew to/from Hawaii from the East Coast and I honestly thought wearing the mask that whole time would be awful. It was not. Eat and drink a lot. Put your head down and take off your mask for a little bit. Sometimes I even forgot it was there. It was like second nature to be wearing it. Of course, I live in an area that was mandatory indoor masks up until last week so we were pretty used to them.

 

[erin1715]

I’m crossing my fingers the mask mandate is gone by the time we vacation this summer. The flight is nearly 9 hours long and I am one of those who has difficulty wearing a mask. We may wind up canceling if it’s still in effect.

We just flew 3 hours to Disney from NY, and IMO wearing a mask that long (including in the airports) was awful. I had such a headache by the end of the day. Thankfully it wasn’t THAT long of a flight but I could not imagine anything longer. No thanks. I’ll be glad when it’s done.

 

[EMom]

We flew to/from Hawaii from the East Coast and I honestly thought wearing the mask that whole time would be awful. It was not. Eat and drink a lot. Put your head down and take off your mask for a little bit. Sometimes I even forgot it was there. It was like second nature to be wearing it. Of course, I live in an area that was mandatory indoor masks up until last week so we were pretty used to them.

We didn’t have mask mandates for very long, and while they were in effect, I largely avoided stores for more than a very quick stop, etc. I knew what happened when I wore a mask, so I just stayed home, outside, in my car…. Places not requiring a mask. I took advantage of curbside pickup for almost everything. I rarely visited any place requiring a mask, because the results weren’t worth it. So for me, it’s different. The rest of my family can handle wearing them. I cannot. It’s not an issue of defiance for me. It’s physical. So until airlines do away with mask mandates, I won’t be able to travel as much.

 

[mamamia2005]

It should also be noted that Jet2 do not fly to the US. They take UK holiday makers to and from Europe.
Ryanair, a low cost UK airline who also offer flights around Europe are also dropping masks from next month.

Tui, who do fly to MCO from a few UK airports from March to Oct / Nov have reportedly said that they still require passengers to wear a mask.

Personally, I'm hoping all UK airlines make masks optional, and I hope the TSA also make them optional.
I also hope that the testing requirement to come into the US (I'm in the UK) is dropped too. At present we have to test 1 calendar day before our flight, and it really is a worry that the holiday could be over before it begins! But if it was a choice between tests and masks, I would rather wear the mask for 9 hours to not have to test beforehand.

 

[EACarlson]

Personally, I'm hoping all UK airlines make masks optional, and I hope the TSA also make them optional.
I also hope that the testing requirement to come into the US (I'm in the UK) is dropped too. At present we have to test 1 calendar day before our flight, and it really is a worry that the holiday could be over before it begins! But if it was a choice between tests and masks, I would rather wear the mask for 9 hours to not have to test beforehand.

It's not the TSA that is mandating masks, it is the Federal Department of Transportation. I would be very surprised if the mask dictate continues beyond the current March 18th date. Just about every other government entity in the country has dropped theirs.

 

[Meriweather]

We will probably continue to wear masks on planes always......DH always seems to catch something.
We have flown from AZ to FL 4 times now and it isn't that bad.....we just get involved in a book or playing games.

 

[spiders]

It's not the TSA that is mandating masks, it is the Federal Department of Transportation. I would be very surprised if the mask dictate continues beyond the current March 18th date. Just about every other government entity in the country has dropped theirs.

The TSA is the one that issued the mandate. It was not the DOT or the FAA. Most airlines had already required masks but Biden, at the beginning of his presidency made it a requirement through executive action which was then later carried out as a mandate by the TSA which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

 

[EACarlson]

The TSA is the one that issued the mandate. It was not the DOT or the FAA. Most airlines had already required masks but Biden, at the beginning of his presidency made it a requirement through executive action which was then later carried out as a mandate by the TSA which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

You are correct, TSA issued the mandate. It is enforced by the DOT. I won't give my thoughts here because I'd like to stay here.

 

[LuvOrlando]

For Pete's sake, I was just getting used to the idea of flying in my own country again

I am completely in favor of the current rules staying in place since things seem to find their way here way faster than anyone could have ever possibly imagined. Not only is there completely proven undeniable massive risk but that risk has an extraordinary price tag that my taxes need to pay (not to mention the price in heartbreak) so I am of absolutely no mind to indulge anyone being bothered by house rules. Whatever the rest of the world does, as long as it stays there, is of no concern to me so good luck doing you as long as it's there and not here.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

We have worn face coverings during air travel for about 10 years. Getting a cold 2 days into a vacation or just after returning home sucks and for some reason sick people can't be bothered to do the right thing (cancel or cover their faces).