Travelling out of the UK for a holiday or long weekend is about to become easier this week as the UK Government lifts remaining restrictions.
The Welsh Government is following suit on international travel rules easing, which will see all the remaining border measures removed, including getting rid of the passenger location form (PLF) and testing requirements.
From 4am on Friday, March 18, all Covid-19 travel restrictions will be lifted, including the passenger locator form for arrivals into UK, as well as all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated. This change, therefore, removes the need for unvaccinated passengers to take a pre-departure test and a day two post-arrival test.
Read more: Latest travel rules ahead of Easter getaway to Spain, France, Greece and more
Don't forget, though, your destination may have their own Covid restrictions still in place so check before you leave. You can find that, here. The UK's major holiday operators and airlines are keeping their customers updated with saying with regard to things like masks, rebooking
TUI
In line with the UK Government's mask guidelines, wearing masks on a TUI flight to or from England and Northern Ireland, isn't mandatory as of March 11 - however they strongly recommend wearing one.
Customers aged 12 and over and travelling on TUI Airways to/from Wales and Scotland must wear a mask throughout their flight. This rule also applies to customers over two travelling to the USA and for those over six travelling to Italy. If you are medically exempt from wearing a mask, you must have proof.
With regard to changing your booking if you can't make it due to Covid, the company have extended their flexible changes policy to the end of April 2022, for package holiday, flight-only and accommodation-only customers. They also have a flexible changes policy in place for Marella Cruises and TUI River Cruises customers.
Get up-to-date TUI information and deals, here.
Jet2
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.
"However, as per UK Government guidance, we recommend that customers continue to wear a face mask in these spaces, and we remind customers that they will need to wear one when they get to their overseas destination."
Jet2 passengers aged six and over will still have to wear masks on flights
Their refund and admin-fee-free amendment policies are also still in place and you can find those, here.
easyJet
In response to the removal of all remaining Covid travel measures in the UK, Johan Lundgren, easyJet CEO said: "This welcome move by the UK Government marks a return to truly restriction-free flying to and from the UK, giving an extra boost to travel this Easter. We are looking ahead to what we expect to be a strong summer for easyJet, with plans to return to near 2019 levels of flying. We can’t wait to welcome more customers back on board.”
On easyJet's website it is still saying passengers are requested to wear a face mask, stating: "Face masks must be worn at the airport, at the gate when boarding the aircraft, and throughout the flight. Passengers not wearing a mask will not be able to board the aircraft."
With regard to amendments, you can transfer your flight fee-free, up to two hours before your departure to any flights currently on sale and to any destination, these apply to changes made up to and including March 31, 2022.
Get easyJet updates, here.
Ryanair
Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary has said he hopes to see the end of masks on planes by the "end of April or May". Until then, face masks are still required for Ryanair passengers.
Ryanair states on their website: "You must wear a face mask/covering in the airport and onboard your flight. On arrival, please keep your mask on until you have left the airport terminal."
You cannot get a refund on your Ryanair flight, however, you can amend up until two-and-a-half hours before the flight.
British Airways
Jason Mahoney, BA chief operating officer, said: "From Wednesday, March 16, customers will only be required to wear a face-covering onboard our flights if the destination they're travelling to requires it."
Some flight routes will continue to require passengers to wear face masks due to the restrictions in place at the arriving country.
British Airways' book with confidence policy means you can change your dates, destination or even cancel if you need to, with no additional fees.
British Airways updates and information can be found, here.
