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Original poster

Question about the legality of masks on flights

55 replies

lookforthesun · 09/02/2022 07:47

We are due to fly long haul next week out of London and have had covid last week and recovered. (I say recovered, had no symptoms)

I see that BA are still saying that masks are mandatory but is this legally enforceable? I was surprised to see it because I the mask mandate has been lifted in England now. Is this just a "recommended" from BA or can they actually throw you off if you're asleep and not wearing one?

OP posts:
Farahilda · 09/02/2022 07:49

It'll be a condition of carriage.

No mask, no flight

Yes they will throw you off

FrenchFancie · 09/02/2022 07:51

They can throw you off / deny boarding.
Ultimately an aircraft is private property and their rules go, unless they would be breaking the law (so discriminating against a protected characteristic such as sex or age). If you fail to comply with a reasonable request (and mask wearing in an enclosed space with a bunch of other people is a reasonable request) the captain of the aircraft can either deny you boarding, or if you refuse to comply in the air, land somewhere and boot you off (and then BA will charge you divert fees and refuse to carry you any further) (divert fees can be upwards of €5000 depending on where you en up).

So yeah.

Wear the mask if it’s their policy.

heldinadream · 09/02/2022 07:53

From Gov.UK - Operators are free to set their own conditions of carriage and you should check with the operator of the service you are using before travelling.

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Clothing Covid-19 Flying General health
RoseAndRose · 09/02/2022 07:53

They can't literally tthrow you off a flight. But they will wake you up to insist.

And then you'll be treated as troublesome passenger, and may be denied all future flights with them

BeardyButton · 09/02/2022 07:55

O for gods sake. Wear the bloody mask.

AnyFucker · 09/02/2022 07:57

You only had covid last week and are flying ?

notimagain · 09/02/2022 08:02

As others have said It’s a condition of carriage, and you can be denied boarding if not wearing one, you may be offloaded if refusing to wear one whilst the aircraft is on the ground, and may be sanctioned if you refuse to wear one in flight.

FWIW it’s a legal requirement to obey safety related instructions issued by the crew….whether being asked to wearing a mask is safety related ????

Also worth pointing out the airline might have to comply with mask wearing laws in the country of intended destination, that’s relevant on some long haul flights.

TigerLilyTail · 09/02/2022 08:02

Yes, they can set their own rules, so you will have to comply.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 09/02/2022 08:03

Aircrafts are private property so they can enforce whatever rules they like.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 09/02/2022 08:04

@RoseAndRose

They can't literally tthrow you off a flight. But they will wake you up to insist.

And then you'll be treated as troublesome passenger, and may be denied all future flights with them

They can divert the plane and kick you off if you refuse - the same as they can do with any passenger who breaks the rules and doesn't listen or causes trouble.
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/02/2022 08:06

Mask rules in ENGLAND. Not internationally. You want to travel, you follow international laws, not English ones.

merrymelodies · 09/02/2022 08:07

Entitled much?Hmm

Figgygal · 09/02/2022 08:08

Yes its enforceable. They'll just kick you off

BoristalkedaboutBruno22 · 09/02/2022 08:13

If you don’t want to wear a mask then don’t fly.

TyrannosaurusRegina · 09/02/2022 08:17

FGS never mind the "legality" - if they ask you to wear a mask, wear one. There will be passengers who have booked with BA feeling comfortable that masks are enforced, only to turn up and find that some entitled nobber has decided that they don't want to stick to the rules. Unfair.

Original poster
lookforthesun · 09/02/2022 08:21

@AnyFucker

You only had covid last week and are flying ?
I don't understand this comment? Is there some time frame before you'd like me to fly? I've recovered, done my time, will have a negative PCR test OR my NHS proof of recovery certificate .... do you want me to do some voluntary iso until a time you deem suitable?
OP posts:
Original poster
lookforthesun · 09/02/2022 08:22

Thanks for the replys. Happy to wear one if it's compulsory. Anywhere it is optional I won't wear one but no desire to cause drama!

Personal choice and all that.... but if it's a condition of carriage I'll happily accept.

OP posts:
Chemenger · 09/02/2022 08:23

You risk being put off the plane if you refuse to wear a mask while on the ground and also being put on a no-fly list for that airline if you refuse while in the air. Which might make getting back from where you are going tricky and expensive.

FrenchFancie · 09/02/2022 08:24

Where are you going on holiday? Most places still have a mask mandate in place (I live in Cyprus, we are still masked from stepping out the front door. Not a problem right now but in 35 degree heat and 70% humidity it can be a bit of a pain). Just check the rules where you are going because you may get in serious shit if you fail to follow them.

Original poster
lookforthesun · 09/02/2022 08:25

@BoristalkedaboutBruno22

If you don’t want to wear a mask then don’t fly.
This is so silly. It's not a binary choice. I can not 'want' to wear one, but still choose to wear one because I want to fly.

People do things they don't "want" to do all the time if they want the end goal. I want to go on holiday so will wear the mask I was just asking if it's compulsory or not now the law had changed.

OP posts:
gogohm · 09/02/2022 08:25

It's 14 days to fly internationally. Your travelling companion has to state they haven't been in contact for 14 days too

Original poster
lookforthesun · 09/02/2022 08:27

@gogohm

It's 14 days to fly internationally. Your travelling companion has to state they haven't been in contact for 14 days too
It's 10 days

www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/apply-covid-recovery-certificate

OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 09/02/2022 08:28

Thing is, there isn’t just English rules to take into account, there’s also the rules of the country at the other end of the flight to consider.

AlternativePerspective · 09/02/2022 08:30

Story in the news the other day about an American Airlines flight which flew back to New York because of a passenger who refused to wear a mask. The rest of the passengers had to wait until the next day to be able to fly.

They’re lucky they weren’t lynched.

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