By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. If you make a purchase, Which? will receive an affiliate commission, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Do you still need to wear a mask on a plane? 18 airlines and their mask policies
Knowing where and when you need to wear a face mask is getting more confusing. While many airlines have made it optional, the destination you're flying to might still insist upon it.
To help you decide whether you need to pack a mask in your carry-on, we’ve looked at the policies of 18 airlines. Airlines including Jet2, Ryanair, Tui and British Airways will only ask you to wear a mask if it’s still mandatory at either end of the route.
Which countries still require you to wear a mask on a flight?
In Europe, seven countries still require you to wear a face mask on public transport - including on flights. They are: Austria (Vienna only), Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Spain.
In Canada, the USA and Australia, it’s optional to wear a mask on your flight. But this could change if cases begin to rise or new variants are discovered. And some states might impose mask wearing while others don’t, so always check the latest advice on gov.uk before travel.
Book with an airline you can trust. We've surveyed thousands of Which? members to reveal the best and worst airlines.
Do I have to wear a mask during the whole flight?
If wearing a mask is mandatory on your flight, you will usually need to keep it on for the duration of the journey, only removing it when eating or drinking.
Long-haul airlines advise you to take extra masks on board and change them every four hours (or before if they start to get damp).
What happens if you refuse to wear a mask on a plane?
Refusing to wear a mask if it's mandatory on your flight could result in you being turned away at the gate or even fined.
Destinations still requiring face coverings will only make an exception if you can prove you are medically exempt.
Book your next package holiday with a Which? Recommended Provider: Hays, Jet2 Holidays, Kuoni, Saga, Trailfinders.
Short-haul airlines and their mask policies
Do I need to wear a face mask on EasyJet flights?
No. EasyJet passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about EasyJet's mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Jet2 flights?
No. Jet2 passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Jet2's mask requirements.
Do I need to wear a face mask on KLM flights?
No. KLM passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about KLM's mask policies.
Read more about the UK's travel restrictions being lifted and how it affects your holiday.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Ryanair flights?
No. Ryanair passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Ryanair's mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Tui flights?
No. Face masks are no longer mandatory on Tui flights unless it's a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about TUI's mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Wizz Air flights?
No. You no longer need to wear a mask on Wizz Air flights unless it's a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Wizz Air's mask policies.
Long-haul airlines and their mask policies
Do I need to wear a face mask on Air Canada flights?
No. Air Canada passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Air Canada's mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Air Transat flights?
No. Air Transat passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Air Transat's mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on American Airlines flights?
No. American Airlines passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about American Airlines' mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on British Airways flights?
No. Face masks are no longer mandatory on British Airways flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about BA's mask policies.
Join the Which? Travel Facebook group to meet like-minded travellers and share tips, tricks and advice.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Delta Airlines flights?
No. Delta Airlines passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Delta Airways' mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Emirates flights?
No. Emirates passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Emirates' mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Etihad flights?
No. Etihad passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Etihad's mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Qantas flights?
No. Qantas passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Qantas Airlines' mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Qatar Airways flights?
No. Qatar Airways passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Qatar Airways' mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Singapore Airlines flights?
No. Singapore Airlines passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Singapore Airlines' mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Thai Airways flights?
No. Thai Airways passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Thai Airways' mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on United Airlines flights?
No. United Airlines passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about United Airlines' mask policies.
Do I need to wear a face mask on Virgin Atlantic flights?
No. Virgin Atlantic passengers are no longer required to wear a mask on flights as long as it's not a legal requirement at either end of the route. You can still wear a mask if you wish.
Read more about Virgin Atlantic's mask policies.
