Do I still need to wear a mask on a flight between the UK and France?

Oct 17, 2023

Some British airlines have ended the need for passengers to wear masks on flights Pic: Yaroslav Astakhov / Shutterstock

Reader question: Do I still need to wear a mask when on flights between the UK and France?

Several British airlines have updated their mask requirements recently. We look at the main ones, and what the rules mean for air travel between the UK and France.

Read more: All Covid restrictions to end for France to UK travel on Friday

It is worth noting that France requires air passengers to wear surgical masks or masks that are type FFP1, FFP2 or FFP3, without filter valves. Fabric masks are not accepted.

Both airlines have ended the need for passengers to wear masks for flights in and out of England and Northern Ireland.

This does not apply for flights in and out of Scotland and Wales.

This rule change is in line with UK laws, although the various devolved governments can set their own rules on Covid.

It means that a passenger who, for example, boards a Jet2 flight in Manchester that is bound for Nice, does not need to wear a mask onboard.

However, The Points Guy, a travel advice website, states that as masks are required on public transport services in France, the airline has asked passengers to put on their masks for landings to comply with local law.

This would be the same in reverse, with Jet2 passengers heading to the UK from France asked to put on their masks for takeoff.

Virgin Atlantic, meanwhile, stated yesterday (March 14) that they would gradually end the need for passengers to wear masks on flights where "international regulations around mask-wearing do not apply".

In France, masks must still be worn on public transport services, so would not be included in this change.

The airline said that this policy would first be introduced on their Caribbean services from Heathrow and Manchester airports.

British Airways has announced a similar change to Virgin, stating that from tomorrow (March 16), customers will only be required to wear a mask on flights to destinations that require them, such as France.

Airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair are still currently requiring customers to wear masks on all flights.

French airline Air France also still requires passengers to wear masks on its flights.

London's Heathrow Airport has announced an end to mask wearing in its terminals from tomorrow.

Most other airports around the UK still require travellers to wear masks.

In France, masks must still be worn on all public transport services, but airports are taking their own position on the rule.

Paris Aéroport, which manages the Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airports, has said that masks are no longer mandatory in its airports’ terminals. They remain mandatory on board planes.

⚠ À compter du lundi 14 mars, assouplissement des règles sanitaires fixées par @gouvernementFR lors de votre voyage depuis Paris-#CDG et Paris-#Orly :✔ Suspension du port du masque en aérogare, Maintien du port du masque à bord des avions.Details ➡https://t.co/w09JVsiyn9

Similarly, masks are no longer mandatory in Nice airport.

However, Bordeaux Airport still requires travellers to wear a mask in its terminals.

Rules around masks on planes and in airports are subject to change, both in the UK and France. It is worth checking with the rules before you travel to see the latest changes, or just remember to keep a mask with you in case.

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