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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Brett Gibbons & Ketsuda Phoutinane

easyJet updates mask policy on some routes - latest rules for Ryanair, TUI, Jet2, BA, Virgin

easyJet 's mask policy will be dropped on some routes from Sunday, March 27 - except for people travelling to and from Scotland and Wales.

The budget airline has announced that face coverings are not required on some UK domestic flights including Jersey.

This applies to flights from England or Northern Ireland - where masks aren't required - to Denmark, Gibraltar, Iceland and Hungary,

easyJet's policy will continue to remove the mask mandate on other routes where there isn't a legal requirement on both ends of a journey, Wales Online reported.

Customers and crew will no longer be required to wear face masks, but those who wish to continue will have their personal choice respected.

easyJet has scrapped face masks on a few routes (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Scotland was due to remove mask requirements, but extended the mandate through April 4 due to soaring Covid cases.

However, all four countries in the UK ended all travel restrictions on March 18.

"As a pan European airline operating between over 30 countries, we must continue to ensure that we and our customers follow the legal requirements of all the countries we fly to," the airline stated.

"This means when flying to or from countries where mask requirements remain in place, we will follow the relevant legal requirements. We urge European governments to have a coordinated approach on the removal of the requirement where possible, to make it easy and clear for customers.

"We will aim to provide clear information to customers, including while onboard, detailing the specific mask requirements on their flight."

TUI, Jet2 and British Airways are among other carriers who have ditched the mandatory mask rules for their flights on certain routes.

Here's the latest round-up of face covering policies for popular airlines flying to and from the UK.

Ryanair

The no-frills carrier still requests travellers to wear a face mask or covering in the airport, according to its official website.

In addition, Ryanair passengers travelling to or from Italy, Austria, or Germany are required to have an FFP2 face mask.

However, chief executive Michael O’Leary has stressed he expects this requirement to be abolished by late April or late May.

TUI

TUI's policy requires face masks for travellers in and out of Scotland (Getty Images)

If you're flying to or from Wales or Scotland, TUI states: "Everyone aged 12 and over needs to wear a face mask during their flight, including while sleeping, unless you’re exempt due to a medical condition."

The UK's largest tour operator has lifted the face mask requirement for passengers planning to travel to and from England and Northern Ireland.

However, the airline continues to urge passengers to wear them.

Its travel policy explains: "It's no longer a legal requirement for those travelling to or from England or Northern Ireland to wear a face mask during their TUI Airways flight, but – in accordance with UK government and EU Charter guidance – we do still strongly recommend that you do so.

"Please don’t travel if you're showing any Covid-19 symptoms, or testing positive – you can change your holiday fee-free under our Covid flexibility policy."

Jet2

Passengers on flights to and from Scotland are still required to wear face masks in flights.

A statement on the airline's website adds: "If you're unable to wear a mask, you must let us know in advance to be able to travel. If you fail to wear a face mask without our agreement, you'll not be allowed to board your flight or transfer."

As for England and Northern Ireland, it is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face mask in Northern Ireland and England, including at the airports or onboard their planes.

However, passengers may still be required to wear a mask in airports, on arrival at their destination and in transfers, depending on local Covid rules - check before you travel.

British Airways

British Airways' mask mandate is in effect for places where they are a legal requirement (REUTERS)

The mask policy of British Airways depends on the route you fly, meaning that travellers going to and from Scotland must wear a mask.

It states they are "obliged to ensure our customers continue to comply with local restrictions and meet the requirements of the destination they arrive at".

Customers are asked to check the face mask requirements of both ends of their flights.

The airline also advises passengers on flights longer than four hours to bring extra masks.

Where masks aren't required, you will not be asked to wear one.

The company posted on Twitter : "From March 16, our face mask policy is changing. Where we're clear the destination you're travelling to doesn't require a face mask on board, it will become optional. Please continue to respect fellow passengers' mask preferences in these instances."

However, masks must be worn on flights to and from the US where it is law for anyone aged two or over to wear a face covering.

Virgin Atlantic

Anyone flying to or from the US with Virgin Atlantic must wear a face covering during their flight.

However, the airline stated on social media : "With the legal requirement to wear a face mask now removed in England, we believe our customers should have the personal choice whether to wear a mask onboard.

"The mask rules that apply will depend on the route you’re flying, because requirements differ by destination."

If you are exempt from wearing a face mask, you need to get in touch with the airline's Special Assistance team at least 48 hours before you're due to travel.

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