Airlines in the UK continue to ease mask requirements, with low-cost carrier easyJet becoming the latest to join the list. The UK has seen a significant reduction in COVID rules in the last few days, with unvaccinated travelers no longer requiring a test and passenger locator forms being scrapped. Airlines are gradually warming up to the idea of no-mask traveling, but much of it depends on the destination marked on the boarding pass.

easyJet becomes the latest to ease rules

LCC easyJet has joined other airlines in the UK to drop mask requirements for some of its flights. From March 27th, the beginning of the summer schedule, the airline will not mandate wearing masks on flights "where masks are no longer legally required at both ends of the route."

The airline released an official statement which said,

“Following the removal of mandatory mask wearing in a number of countries, we have reviewed our mask policy onboard and have taken the decision that, from 27 March 2022, on flights where masks are no longer legally required at both ends of the route, we will not mandate customers and crew to wear masks onboard the flight."

"Any customers or crew who wish to continue wearing a mask will of course have their personal choice respected.”

Passengers flying from England to destinations such as Denmark, Norway, and Iceland will no longer be required to wear masks as these places have dropped most of their COVID restrictions. However, flights to other places like Scotland still mandate mask-wearing.

Other airlines

Jet2 – It became the first airline in the UK to drop masks from many of its flights from March 1st. But the carrier stated that "it's still a legal requirement for everyone aged six years and over to wear a face mask at our Scottish airports and onboard our planes traveling to and from those airports. This is the case even if you're fully vaccinated."

TUI – The leisure airline soon followed with an announcement of its own, becoming the second in the UK to drop face mask rules on many of its flights to and from England and Northern Ireland from March 11th. Flights to Scotland and Wales continue to be the exception. Mask mandates also apply to flights to the US and Italy.

British Airways – BA became the first major airline in the UK to ease mask rules, changing its requirements last week, stating, "From March 16th, our face mask policy is changing. Where we're clear the destination you're traveling to doesn't require a face mask onboard, it will become optional." But it suggests keeping masks handy in case of any last-minute rule change.

Virgin Atlantic – Virgin's chief customer and operating officer Corneel Koster has stated that masks would be optional on routes that are not subject to international mask regulations but will still be required on many other routes, including flights to and from the US. The carrier is dropping mask requirements in a phased manner, gradually increasing the number of destinations that won't require it.

While it's not mandatory to wear masks on certain routes, most airlines still advise wearing one whenever possible. Also, until a blanket policy of not requiring masks for all destinations is announced, it seems best to still carry one, just in case.