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

[EACarlson]

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.

You'll be free to continue wearing one if you'd like. I will probably continue to wear an N95 on my outbound flights, but considering the types of masks most people are wearing now and the degree to which they are wearing them correctly, the dictate isn't doing any good.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

They do say they recycle and scrub the air every three minutes. Not sure if that's true or not!

 

[mefordis]

Another airline plans to remove masks:

Ryanair plans to remove masks onboard from spring
Masks may no longer be required on Ryanair flights by April or May 2022.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said on Wednesday, that he hopes to see passengers traveling mask-free this spring.

It comes after Jet2 announced that customers in the UK will no longer be required to wear masks on board.

A Jet2 spokesman said: “It is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face mask in England and Northern Ireland, including at our airports or onboard our aircraft. We recommend that customers continue to wear a face mask in these spaces, as per government guidance.”

Earlier this month, England dropped all Covid restrictions including mask-wearing and isolating after testing positive for the virus.

https://ittn.ie/news/ryanair-plans-...ll14DpZ6wyMAsezHHpRKAO7xxqmzZXbch9V97zp5fFtR4

 

[meggiebeth]

As a British person, I’m not happy about the mask requirement being lifted on flights. I don’t want to catch any virus let alone COVID and be unwell on vacation. It’s a small sacrifice to make to minimise the risk of spreading or catching the virus.

I really liked that on my flights to and from the US last month on American, masks were very strictly enforced. This has generally not been the case with British airlines.

 

[mamamia2005]

Masks were enforced on our Virgin Atlantic flights in December / January. Not in a really strong manner, but I did see CC ask a lady to put her mask back on. They were very polite and gave her the benefit of doubt as she was dealing with her baby, and had walked past her 3 or 4 times. A perfectly reasonable and measured approach I thought.

If Jet 2 or Ryan air flew to the US I would consider using them because they have dropped the masks. Well maybe not Ryanair lol!

 

[DisneyHardin]

Like others have said, I will probably continue to wear a mask on planes even when restrictions are lifted. I wear a mask all day at work, so it has just become a second skin to me. Oftentimes, I don't even remember that I have it.

 

[Dakota731]

I’m glad for the opportunity to choose. Those who wish to continue wearing them as well as those who feel comfortable not wearing them are all fine by me

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Like others have said, I will probably continue to wear a mask on planes even when restrictions are lifted. I wear a mask all day at work, so it has just become a second skin to me. Oftentimes, I don't even remember that I have it.

The only burden I've felt regarding masks has been my young kids. I started COVID with a 2 year old who is now 4 and a newborn who is turning 2, so I've had at least one little one the whole time. If the age was 5 or 12 here in the states, I probably wouldn't care. But it's just so hard with a 2 or 3 year old.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I’m glad for the opportunity to choose. Those who wish to continue wearing them as well as those who feel comfortable not wearing them are all fine by me

I fear that the "no masks EVER" group will make those of us who choose to do so feel uncomfortable.

 

[EMom]

I fear that the "no masks EVER" group will make those of us who choose to do so feel uncomfortable.

You do realize that “maskers” have also been known to be pretty aggressive toward those without masks, don’t you? The hostility runs both ways. I do not want to wear a mask, but I have no problem with others doing so. It’s their face.

 

[fly girl]

I fear that the "no masks EVER" group will make those of us who choose to do so feel uncomfortable.

I have worn my mask at places it wasn’t required, I never received backlash or felt uncomfortable. Nobody cared, people went about their business.

I have to agree with @EMom. The only time I have seen “chatter” was when someone wasn’t wearing a mask or doing so improperly.

I know my interactions aren’t the same as everyone else’s, but if the mandates lift, you do what makes you feel comfortable. Nobody can tell you not to wear a mask!

 

[EACarlson]

Nobody can tell you not to wear a mask!

Sure they can. The same businesses that were the first ones to require customers to wear a mask can also be the first ones to tell you that masks aren't allowed. IIRC there were many banks that wouldn't allow patrons in with masks on pre pandemic, and there were some inner city convenience stores that had the same rules. I would expect some of them to go back to their previous rules.

 

[georgina]

I live in an area where 95% of the shoppers in stores still wear masks. With a new baby grandson I am happy about it. I may continue to wear them on flights. We are flying to England in July for a wedding and I am really hoping nothing new happens with variants in the next few months!

 

[HashberryOTG]

Nobody can tell you not to wear a mask!

We have some local businesses that do not allow them. Just as a business is free to require it, they are free to ban it.

 

[howardlee2]

I will continue wearing masks when FAA makes them optional. I believe they are a great way from preventing transmission of all airborne illness like a common cold, etc.

 

[fly girl]

Sure they can. The same businesses that were the first ones to require customers to wear a mask can also be the first ones to tell you that masks aren't allowed. IIRC there were many banks that wouldn't allow patrons in with masks on pre pandemic, and there were some inner city convenience stores that had the same rules. I would expect some of them to go back to their previous rules.

We have some local businesses that do not allow them. Just as a business is free to require it, they are free to ban it.

My fault, I didn’t clarify. I wasn’t referring to businesses, I was referring to flying and other passengers (the theme of this thread, but I can completely see why it didn’t read that way.)

I understand your posts. Good point.


* edited to include the theme of thread was specifically about air travel. I don’t see airlines banning masks.

 

[ronandannette]

I fear that the "no masks EVER" group will make those of us who choose to do so feel uncomfortable.

Just ignore them (if it actually happens, which I doubt it will). Go ahead and do your thing.

 

[AustinTink]

I fear that the "no masks EVER" group will make those of us who choose to do so feel uncomfortable.

It will definitely happen. I worked a large event 2 weeks ago and wore my mask the whole time. The amount of people who decided to give me an earful about my mask was staggering. My favorite was the creep who said "you're such a beautiful woman I wish we could see your whole face instead of that stupid mask", while running his hand down my back (in front of his wife). Thankfully, my boss saw that one and ran over to intervene. I just will never understand the urge to make others feel uncomfortable. Can't we all just get along?

 

[AustinTink]

I have worn my mask at places it wasn’t required, I never received backlash or felt uncomfortable. Nobody cared, people went about their business.

I wish I could say I have had the same experiences as you. Mine are just the opposite. Not a day goes by that I don't get flack for wearing my mask. Here in Texas masks have been a thing of the past for a very long time.

 

[Jennasis]

I will fly with a mask from now on. If nothing else, between that and my ear buds it means I don't have to talk to the person sitting next to me. Plus I used to get sick every time I flew. Haven't had it happen since masks were required.