AFAR participates in affiliate marketing programs, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase an item featured on our site. 2023 AFAR Media, Michelle Baran is the senior travel news editor at AFAR where she oversees breaking news, travel intel, pandemic coverage, airline, cruise, and consumer travel news. Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines has made masks optional, according to a statement from the airline. It may be argued that the most effective mitigation measure to date has been mandatory masking in-flight, said Dr. Khatib. But, inevitably, some people who test positive will still get on a plane. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. Scandinavian Airlines No Longer Requiring Face Masks on Some Flights Several British airlines have just suspended the requirement, but in the United States, the. Several British airlines have just suspended the requirement, but in the United States, the mandate, to be reviewed next month, remains. "You must. Remember: many people still feel safer wearing a mask because of personal or family health situations, so please be respectful of their preferences, Uber posted on its website, noting that the CDC recommends wearing masks. Greyhound, Megabus and Coach USA are no longer requiring face masks for passengers or employees. Sweden became notorious for being the only Western nation to refuse to lockdown in 2020. In the United States, for example, the mask mandate which was recently extended to April 18, when it comes up for review again is still enforced. Passengers travelling in Spanish airspace? However, heres what the company says about that: You need to keep your mask on throughout the flight, too, when youre not eating or drinking, as well as any other PPE requirements for your destination.. More specifically, an FFO2/N95/KN95 mask is generally required while reaching these destinations, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. These countries are entirely free of masks: the Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Norway and Sweden), Eastern European countries (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovenia). The low-cost domestic and international airline is no longer requiring passengers and employees to wear masks on its flights, though mask requirements for international travel remain dependent on the arrival/departure countrys regulations, the airline said in a statement Monday. And on Sunday, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Biden administrations top adviser on the pandemic, predicted that the United States would eventually see a similar uptick of BA.2 cases. Dr. Teng believes that the pandemic could have a lasting effect on how Americans approach masks. In mid-March, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic followed Jet2 and Tui in making masks an option rather than an obligation on some routes, while London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) announced it will no longer expect travelers to cover their noses and mouths in its terminals. Jen Moyse, vice president of product for TripIt from Concur, said in an email that government officials are under intense pressure from the travel industry to get rid of it. Matt is passionate about the aviation industry and has become an expert in passenger experience and human-centric stories. Airline CEOs call for end to mask mandate. It was very unsettling, said Rebecca Kift, 37, a clinical biochemist from Leeds, England, who had no idea that the British airline TUI Airways Limited had lifted its mask requirement until she boarded her flight to Manchester from Spains Gran Canaria island last Monday. When people properly wear a well-fitting mask or respirator, they protect themselves and those around them, and help keep travel and public transportation safer for everyone, the CDC stated. Meanwhile, a highly transmissible subvariant known as BA.2 is pummeling some parts of Asia and Europe. Next to no country in Europe has mandatory mask in almost all settings. Moyse said that whether the policy is extended depends on what happens over the next several weeks. Ar; Es; News Politics Economy Sports Arts&Culture Health . See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. ", The United Kingdoms flagship carrier told The Points Guy on March 2, "We have no immediate plans to change our mask policy, but keep our policies under review and continue to take advice and guidance from all the appropriate authorities.. Related: Masks or no masks? Europe Travel: No Masks Needed In These EU Countries - Forbes The Netherlands lifted its mask mandate for public transit Wednesday, but it still requires them for air travel. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to paddleyourownkanoo.com with appropriate and specific directions to the original content. These Airlines May Offer You a Refund, Every Cruise Line's Requirements for COVID Vaccines, Testing, TSA Extends Federal Mask Mandate Into September, Is It Safe to Fly Right Now? From next week, face masks will no longer need to be mandatory in air travel in all cases, broadly aligning with the changing requirements of national authorities across Europe for public transport, Patrick Ky, the Executive Director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), has said regarding the mask requirement. Heres a look at where things stand. Griff said that although some airline employees are similarly ready to see the rule gone, others fear that such a change could compromise their own safety, but he added that enforcing it is exhausting for workers. (It should also be lower than in the airport or on crowded bridges to a plane, where you cannot count on great ventilation systems, according to Dr. David Freedman, the president-elect of the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene.). Follow her adventures on Instagram. To reduce the risk of transmission, they should wear a good mask. The Maldive islands recently removed their entry requirements, state of emergency, along with their mandatory mask mandates on March 14, 2022. That goes for anyone over the age of 2, unless medically exempt. Individuals flying between England and Northern Ireland on TUI Airways, for example, would not have to wear a mask, but individuals flying between England and the United States on that same airline would have to wear one. Therefore the risk of being infected should be lower than in other packed indoor settings, many of which no longer require masks, airlines have argued. Some airline employees in England rejoiced at their reclaimed freedom from enforcing mask rules at 30,000 feet. Republican lawmakers, who recently sued the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to end the mask mandate for air travel, call the rule arbitrary. But some travel health experts and passengers say airplane cabins and airports should take a more careful approach. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. On the other hand, EASA, earlier this week, called for an annulment of the mask requirement for incoming and outgoing travellers in the EU. Apr 19, 2022, 7:40 AM Philip Pilosian/Shutterstock Mask requirements on planes became a commonality across the globe after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone who wants to continue wearing a mask is encouraged to do so, it said in a statement. Travellers to Austria, Portugal, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Malta, Estonia, Luxembourg, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Latvia, and Spain, regardless of travelling internationally or domestically, remain subject to wearing a face mask while reaching these destinations. Masks are no longer required on many EU flights, but countries including Germany, Italy and Spain keep the rule. Norwegian Air Shuttle changed its covid-era mask policy on April 4, now allowing passengers to forgo face coverings on all of its flights. | CEO is hosting | Fees and chores | Slave cabin apology | No more parties | Accidental break-in | Pet-friendly additions, On the road: Weed tourism | Weird resort fees | Wienermobile life | A day at a truck stop | Tracing the Great Migration | Hotel room lights | Greyhound road trip | Green hotels | How environmentalists travel | Road trips with pets | Road trips with babies, Local guides, travel tips and the latest industry news. Traveler Alert: Dont Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip! Canada dropped the requirement for pre-entry tests on April 1, but Air Canada has not dropped masks on flights. For our guests traveling internationally, please remember to check country-specific airport requirements before traveling.. Can you please update this list for fall/winter as I know some countries have brought masks back, particularly in Europe. Delta, United, Southwest, and 18 other airlines no longer require Travelers should make sure they are up to date on the masking regulations for the destination(s) they are traveling to. Should the guidance change, we will adjust our policy accordingly, the statement continued. However, many countries treat all travelers the same, regardless of vaccination status, and have eliminated entry requirements as a result. Other travelers expressed concern on social media that the move was premature, and worried for those with compromised immune systems or children not yet eligible for vaccination as cases rise nationwide. Could mask requirements, in place since mid-2020, be about to change? Icelands mask mandate was removed on February 25 with their official government site stating Masks are not mandatory anywhere. Current mask policy: As of April 4, mandatory face masks will no longer be required on flights across the Norwegian Network due to new guidance in Europe. Large global carriers, however, could be slower to ease those rules than others, in part because of the complexity of operating in numerous places, which may or may not have mask policies in effect. Watch on As of April 2021, only a few international airlines do not require masks. In keeping with our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us, customers and team members may choose to continue to wear masks at their own discretion.. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com, Delta Airlines Announces New Plant-Based Menu With Impossible Burgers, 5 Tips For Planning A Spring Break Road Trip. Masks are required on flights to many popular European destinations, including Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Facial coverings may be required for international flights depending on local mandates. We'll update you when more countries drop mask mandates. It has been a long 24 months with nearly constant change, said Max Tidwell, vice president of safety and security at Alaska Airlines. We likely won't be updating this article as we transition out of covid-related content, but there is a change we might publish something new if enough countries reinstate. Allegiant Airlines According to Allegiant's mask policy, neck gaiters are prohibited. 1) Iberia Iberia is one of the few airlines in Europe that is still requiring masks for passengers. For example, Alberta scrapped the legal requirement to wear masks in all indoor areas other than hospitals. Southwest also signed the letter (see the entry for American Airlines) to the president. Some European airlines are no longer requiring masks on flights, so after security, if you board such an airline, they can be removed. Jun 18, 2023 9:00 AM EDT. All You Need To Know About COVID Protocols and 2022 Travel The EU will no longer require passengers wear masks on flight and in aiprorts from May 16, but you'll need to check your airline and destination's policy. Why cloth masks are on some airlines' no-fly list. These European countries are keeping masks on flights despite EU But in many other places, cases are rising. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Southwest said it will continue to offer additional layers of protection against the spread of COVID-19, including sophisticated cabin air ventilation systems that use HEPA air filtration to remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles., The other discount airlinewhich could soon be owned by Frontier or JetBluealso announced on Monday that masks are optional. Schools are off, summer break is in, and Copyright 2013 - 2021 SchengenVisaInfo.com.