Jet2 becomes first UK airline to drop major Covid rule on some flights Bedford News

Jet2 has become the first major UK airline to drop the requirement for passengers to wear face masks on its flights.

On its website, the low-cost carrier changed its rules on March 2, saying masks are no longer mandatory on flights from England and Northern Ireland.

Passengers will not need to wear their mask when boarding, for take-off or for a large majority of their flight, although the airline recommends doing so.

However, masks must always be worn before leaving the plane and inside foreign airports, if wearing a mask is mandatory there.

The government has dropped all Covid regulations, with masks no longer legally required on public transport anywhere in England.

However, airlines such as Ryanair, Tui and easyJet have kept masks mandatory on flights.

A Jet2 spokesperson confirmed: “Wearing a face covering is no longer a legal requirement in England and Northern Ireland, including at our airports or on board our aircraft.

“However, in line with UK government guidance, we recommend that customers continue to wear a face mask in these spaces, and remind customers that they will need to wear one when they arrive at their overseas destination.”

Jet2 passengers aged six and over will still be required to wear masks on flights from Scotland and Wales.

However, EasyJet, which also only operates in Europe like Jet2, Ryanair, British Airways (BA), Virgin Atlantic, Loganair and TUI, all said masks were still mandatory.