Ruth Haines
As of May 2024, the European Union has dropped its requirement for passengers to wear masks on flights and in airports across its 27-nation bloc. However, individual member states may choose to keep their mask mandates, and 13 EU countries have reportedly continued to enforce mask-wearing on flights. Outside of Europe, the US dropped its federal mask mandate for airlines and flights in April 2022, but the CDC still encourages people to wear masks. In the UK, masks are no longer required in airports but are generally still required on flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | From 16 May 2022 |
| Location | EU airports and flights |
| Exceptions | Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain |
| Ruling body | European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) |
| Reasoning | Levels of vaccination and naturally acquired immunity, and the accompanying lifting of restrictions in a growing number of European countries |
| U.S. | Dropped federal mask mandate in April 2022 |
| U.K. | Dropped mask mandate in airports in March 2022, but still required on flights |
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What You'll Learn
The US drops its federal mask mandate for airlines and flights
The US has dropped its federal mask mandate for airlines and flights. This change comes after a federal judge in Florida ruled against mandatory mask mandates for travellers, including those on trains and public transportation. The ruling, which was made in April 2022, stated that the decision to wear a mask would now be a personal choice.
Following this ruling, major US airlines such as Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue quickly announced that masks would be optional on their flights. This change also applies to airports, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and LaGuardia Airport lifting their mask restrictions. However, some airports, such as Philadelphia International Airport, continue to enforce mask-wearing, citing local mandates.
The push to drop the mask mandate for airlines was driven by airline executives and industry associations, who argued that air travel is now safe without masks. They cited the protective air filtration systems in aircraft and the incongruity of allowing people to gather in crowded restaurants, schools, and sporting events without masks. Additionally, they highlighted the burden on airline employees who had to enforce the mandate and the increase in unruly passenger incidents related to mask-wearing.
While the federal mandate has been lifted, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still encourages people to wear masks on board planes, trains, and in airports. The CDC's recent extension of the mandate by 15 days, through May 3, 2022, was to examine the impact of the BA.2 omicron subvariant.
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The EU drops its mask mandate for airports and flights
The EU has dropped its mask mandate for passengers on flights and in airports, a move that has been described as a "big step forward in the normalization of air travel" by EASA executive director Patrick Ky. The change comes into effect from Monday, May 16, and applies to the 27-nation bloc. This means that passengers at airports and on planes in the European Union will no longer be required to wear masks.
However, it is important to note that individual member states may choose to continue enforcing mask-wearing on flights. Some countries, including Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, have reportedly decided to maintain the mask mandate for the time being. Therefore, passengers are advised to check the regulations of their destination countries and airlines before travelling.
The decision to lift the mask mandate in the EU is based on the levels of vaccination and naturally acquired immunity, as well as the lifting of restrictions in many European countries. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have stated that while the EU-mandated mask rule is being removed, masks are still one of the best protections against the transmission of Covid-19. They also recommend that passengers who are coughing and sneezing strongly consider wearing a mask to reassure those seated nearby.
The removal of the mask mandate is expected to boost the aviation and tourism industries, which have been significantly impacted by the pandemic and the associated restrictions. This change brings the EU's guidelines for air travel in line with the changing requirements for public transport across Europe. It is worth noting that some countries outside of the EU, such as the US and the UK, had already dropped their mask mandates for airlines and flights before the EU's decision.
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Individual EU countries can still enforce mask-wearing
The European Union has dropped its requirement for passengers to wear masks on flights and in airports across its 27-nation bloc. However, individual member states can still enforce their own mask rules, and many countries are sticking with face coverings on flights and public transport. This means that, while maskless flights are now the default, around half of the EU countries are keeping the mandate in place.
Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain will continue to enforce mask-wearing in the skies for now. These countries include some of the EU's biggest tourism destinations, so it is important to check the regulations of your destination country before you travel. Rules are likely to change in the coming weeks, so it is wise to check in advance.
Some airlines will also continue to require masks on flights to and from destinations that still have mask mandates. Ryanair, for example, has made masks optional on all other flights. British Airways and easyJet have also relaxed their rules, making masks optional except where the country of departure or destination demands them. Jet2 was the first to do so, but it deemed scarves and snoods unacceptable face coverings for countries still requiring in-flight masks.
Vulnerable passengers should continue to wear a face mask, regardless of the rules.
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The UK drops its mask mandate in airports but not on flights
The UK has scrapped the face mask mandate in airports, but masks are still required on flights. This change comes as a result of the decreasing severity of the COVID-19 crisis and follows similar moves by other European countries. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced that they would no longer require masks to be worn in airports and on planes within the EU starting in mid-May.
The EU's decision to lift the mandate was influenced by the levels of vaccination and natural immunity in Europe, as well as the lifting of restrictions in many European countries. This change is seen as a ""big step forward in the normalization of air travel" for both passengers and crews. However, individual member states can still choose to enforce mask-wearing, and some countries, including Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, have decided to continue enforcing mask-wearing on flights.
While the UK has lifted the mask mandate for airports, it is important to note that masks are still generally required on board flights. This is in contrast to some other countries, such as the US, which dropped its face mask mandate for airlines and flights in April 2022 after a federal court ruling. However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still encourages people to wear masks on board planes, trains, and in airports.
The decision to drop the mask mandate in UK airports but not on flights has been met with mixed reactions. Some people may feel relieved or more comfortable traveling without masks, while others may have concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19 or other viruses. It is essential to respect the choices of others and continue following personal protective measures if one feels vulnerable or unwell.
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Some travellers are worried about the risks of COVID-19 transmission
As mask mandates are dropped in airports and on flights, some travellers are worried about the risks of COVID-19 transmission. While the removal of mask mandates comes as a result of declining COVID-19 cases and increasing vaccination rates, it is understandable that travellers may still feel cautious about the risks of transmission. Airports and airlines have implemented various measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, such as improved air ventilation and filtration systems, disinfection of surfaces, and the distribution of hand sanitiser. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of these measures can be limited if individuals choose to forgo masks, especially in enclosed spaces like planes.
The risk of COVID-19 transmission in airports is challenging to study due to their large, open structures and chaotic people flow. Nonetheless, experts have recommended strategies such as maximising outdoor air ventilation, upgrading filters, and using portable air cleaners to reduce the risk of transmission in airports. Additionally, the universal wearing of masks by passengers and crew, along with distancing protocols and disinfection practices, has been shown to significantly reduce the risks of viral transmission on aircraft.
Despite the availability of data and research-backed measures, the implementation of COVID-19 transmission prevention strategies is not always feasible or consistent. For example, passengers removing their masks to eat and drink can increase the risk of transmission, even with adequate ventilation. Furthermore, the decision to wear a mask or not has become a contentious issue, with some travellers facing backlash or consequences for asking their seatmates to wear masks, even when exhibiting cold-like symptoms.
While the risk of COVID-19 transmission during air travel is generally considered low, it is not non-existent. Travellers who are particularly vulnerable to the virus may choose to take extra precautions, such as continuing to wear masks during air travel, regardless of the rule changes. Staying informed about the regulations of the countries and airlines they plan to use is essential for travellers who wish to minimise their risk of exposure.
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Frequently asked questions
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) dropped the recommendation to wear face masks in airport buildings and on flights from May 16, 2024. However, individual member states may choose to keep their mask mandates, and the agencies continue to advise passengers who are vulnerable to the virus to wear masks during air travel.
As of September 26, 2024, 13 EU countries will continue enforcing the mask mandate, including Austria, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
The US dropped its federal mask mandate for airlines and flights in April 2022, but the CDC still encourages people to wear masks.
