So, if theyre ahead of the U.S. in terms of covid testing, its possible that theyll also be ahead of the U.S. in terms of dropping the mask mandate, Griff said. Related: US airline heads urge White House to lift testing, mask mandate for air travel, "The persistent and steady decline of hospitalization and death rates are the most compelling indicators that our country is well protected against severe disease from COVID-19," the letter states. 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. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains per day. Although a federal judge ruled to overturn the nationwide mask mandate on public transit, the decision-making power is ultimately in the hands of local transit agencies. So your list doesnt say anything, or maybe only something for 5 days till the 16th. This Spanish airline still requires that all travelers over the age of six wear a mask onboard their flights. While as of April 2022, France still has some entry requirements remaining at the border, many rules inside the country have been relaxed, including masks. On Monday, a Florida federal judge. These are the updated mask policies for each U.S. airline: Even though masks are no longer required on domestic flights, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend that everyone age two and older wear a well-fitted mask on public transportation and in transportation hubs, including on airplanes and in airports. Gate agents have no control over whether flights get delayed, but . It has been a long 24 months with nearly constant change, said Max Tidwell, vice president of safety and security at Alaska Airlines. May 17, 2022. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). But while several countries have ditched face coverings altogether, in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration has extended its federal transportation mask mandate through at least April 18, requiring face coverings to be worn on planes, in airports, buses, trains, and on other modes of transportation. Airports in Norway, Denmark and England have been outliers in lifting mask requirements, according to the Airports Council International, a trade organization representing nearly 2,000 airports. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. However, KLM has vowed to stop enforcing its mask policy, telling local news outlet RTL News it was "disappointing that the use of face masks during boarding and during the entire flight is still being considered by the Dutch government, while this has been abandoned everywhere in the Netherlands.". With April 18 less than a month away, Griff noted that a recent surge in infections in Western Europe could deter the United States from dropping its mandate. Alaska is also requiring customers to wear masks at each of the international airports it serves: five in Canada, eight in Mexico and two in Costa Rica. . struck down the U.S. federal transportation mask mandate, TSA Security Screenings Will Be Self-Service in Select Airports, What to Do When Your Flight Is Canceled or DelayedAnd the Rights You Have if it Happens, Partake in Fun Active Outings Along This Dreamy European River, This Warm-Weather Destination is a Feast for the Senses, Discover Insider Wineries, Stunning National Parks, and More of This Destinations Delights. TheTravel Off Path Community FB grouphas all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&As happening daily! Two additional British airlines, Jet2 and TUI Airway, had previously dropped their mask requirements, and passengers began flying without face coverings throughout Scandinavia last October. Here's our Disclosure & Privacy Policy for more info. Want to avoid those pesky carry-on fees? Because of devolution, the nations of the United Kingdom can make their own decisions on masks: Ireland has scrapped the legal requirement to wear masks in public places. Switzerland removed its indoor mask mandate on February 17, 2022. 18 people died in rip currents this month. Ireland has also become one of the worlds first nations to scrap all travel restrictions, making it one of the best places for travelers to visit. They are only required at the airport. Under 3 is absolutely unrealistic to do the entire time, said Amanda Pendarvis Lacy, 31, who got kicked off a plane with her then 2-year-old son in September after he repeatedly pulled down his mask. As more countries loosen. 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. Czechia removed its mask mandate back in March 2022, for almost all indoor places. The Finnish flag carrier minces no words: We no longer accept fabric masks on our flights. Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Airport rules may be stricter than plane rules on a given route, meaning a traveler might have to put on a mask upon arrival. Mask mandates are still recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to allow more time to study BA.2 variant of omicron, which is now responsible for the vast majority of cases in the U.S, though the CDC will not enforce it and allows airlines and regional transit systems to decide their own mask policies. We understand there are a number of opinions on this topic, and we ask that you respect and support the individual decisions made by others that is how we will show hospitality and make customers and cohearts (Southwest employees) feel welcomed, cared for, and appreciated, Steve Goldberg, Southwests senior vice president of operations and hospitality, said in a memo to employees late Monday. Yet. Masks are required on flights to many popular European destinations, including Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Be sure to check the government websites for both your transit country and destination to verify all requirements, as it's possible that even if your destination does not require a test or vaccine, your transit airport might. Crew and passengers may still choose to wear face coverings if desired. As of April, several airlines have lifted the compulsory face mask requirement, such as EasyJet, which requires no face coverings for travellers headed to Northern Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Isle of Man, Switzerland, Iceland, Gibraltar, Iceland, Hungary, Poland and Jersey. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Norwegian Air Shuttle changed its covid-era mask policy on April 4, now allowing passengers to forgo face coverings on all of its flights. Sweden has also removed almost all COVID-19 restrictions. Although the U.K. government still recommends wearing masks in crowded spaces, travelers are free to make their own decisions. More than half of European Union countries have, however, already dropped face mask rules for air travel. As we learn to live with COVID-19 and 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 on board, on routes where international regulations around mask-wearing do not apply, Chief Customer and Operating Officer Corneel Koster told customers. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Related: Is it time to rethink COVID-19 travel mandates in the US? Detours with locals. While masks are still a cast-iron requirement on all Ryanair flights, industry insiders believe it to be a matter of time before the Irish carrier drops the rule. It is compulsory to wear a mask on all American Airlines flights. Air France Compulsory (surgical masks only) Air France is one of the stricter airlines when it comes to masks. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Related: We flew 4 major European airlines and their mask policies confused the hell out of us. Maybe on April 19, if and thats a big if the White House does not extend the federal mask mandate further. On Monday, over 7,500 positive COVID-19 cases were reported in New York City. Confusion all around for British Airways, From Wednesday, March 16, customers will only be required to wear a face covering on board our flights if the destination theyre traveling to requires it, said CEO Jason Mahoney. Aer Lingus is another airline yet to budge. Unlike the United States, England never instituted a governmental mask mandate for air travel. Matt Blake. Our Editors Tested Them Out, How to Check Your Passport Statusand What to Do if Its Taking Too Long. "You must. A Country-by-country Guide, UK Drops All COVID-19 Travel Restrictions, Delta's Mask Policy Bans This Type of Face Covering, Uncomfortable Flying Without the Mask Mandate? The airline industry contends that the coronavirus-related risk to passengers is very low, which has been a subject of debate (independent researchers have said its not high but noted that its not possible to assess with complete accuracy). Customers of course remain free to wear them if they choose, the airline said in a memo to employees. still has relatively strict mask requirements in most areas despite decreasing COVID-19 restrictions. For example, the Dutch health minister did send a letter to the Dutch parliament today that he will adopt the EASA recommendation so face masks will be abolished the 16th.. 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. 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. Finnish minister resigns 10 days after election over pro-Nazi . Offers may be subject to change without notice. And, till this day, Sweden has maintained its relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. Iberia flies to destinations in Europe, North America, and South America, and carries more than 20 million passengers per year. Read more: How Wearing a Mask Can Help Protect You Even If No One Else Wears One. The Swedish government recommends that travelers wear face masks in all indoor or crowded spaces; however, its not a legal requirement and travelers can make their own decision.