Jet2 Optional Face Masks - will BA follow?
Mar 1, 2022, 1:31 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: MME (midway between NCL and LBA)
Programs: BA Gold, AF/KL Gold, Hilton Gold, Nordic Choice Gold
Posts: 743
Surprised Jet2 have "gone early" on this change though, they only relaxed the "no earphones on landing" rule about 2 years ago.
Mar 1, 2022, 1:38 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 138
If you think there’s an actual disadvantage to others wearing a sunflower lanyard there’s no harm in writing in and saying you suspect their use by the check-in agents is a bit flippant. I must admit I was surprised by their ubiquity in certain front-line hospitality/customer service positions.
Mar 1, 2022, 1:41 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 816
If you think there’s an actual disadvantage to others wearing a sunflower lanyard there’s no harm in writing in and saying you suspect their use by the check-in agents is a bit flippant. I must admit I was surprised by their ubiquity in certain front-line hospitality/customer service positions.
Mar 1, 2022, 1:48 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Mucci Chevalier des Internautes Amables; BAEC
Posts: 970
Based on my last dozen flights with BA I would say they’ve become de facto optional anyway. I was particularly surprised that leaving the US was as chilled as it was in this regard.
Mar 1, 2022, 1:51 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,345
I find it very variable some more relaxed than others, must depend on how the FA feels themself and if passengers complain about others not wearing them between sips of drinks.
Mar 1, 2022, 2:05 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: South Staffordshire UK
Posts: 32
Good on Jet2 for going first.
Airports not quite so clear cut though - this is the Birmingham airport policy on masks :
”In order to protect our staff and to ensure that they feel safe in their role it is mandatory for all customers/passengers to wear a face covering in security, on all buses (landside and airside) and immigration.”
so you can walk in and check your bags in at the desk without a mask on, you then need to mask up before security, once through you can take your mask off in the Departure lounge area, but then have to mask up again before you get on the bus to the aircraft, then ( If you’re flying Jet2 ) you can de-mask as soon as you step off the bus and get onboard.
Airports not quite so clear cut though - this is the Birmingham airport policy on masks :
”In order to protect our staff and to ensure that they feel safe in their role it is mandatory for all customers/passengers to wear a face covering in security, on all buses (landside and airside) and immigration.”
so you can walk in and check your bags in at the desk without a mask on, you then need to mask up before security, once through you can take your mask off in the Departure lounge area, but then have to mask up again before you get on the bus to the aircraft, then ( If you’re flying Jet2 ) you can de-mask as soon as you step off the bus and get onboard.
Mar 1, 2022, 2:13 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
Jet2 and BA are quite different in terms of size and route network but they are rather more than a regional airline. They have 94 aircraft and operate around 70 international (mainly bucket & spade) routes.
Surprised Jet2 have "gone early" on this change though, they only relaxed the "no earphones on landing" rule about 2 years ago.
Surprised Jet2 have "gone early" on this change though, they only relaxed the "no earphones on landing" rule about 2 years ago.
I suspect that could turn more than a customer or two their way.
Good news someone has started the trend though.
Mar 1, 2022, 2:58 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
Mar 2, 2022, 12:06 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,015
Having recently returned from a trip to Spain I can say how astonished I was that mask wearing was 100% by everyone, everytime on public transport. No exceptions. No sunflower lanyards. I'm not saying they're right and we in the UK are wrong. But it was such an interesting insight to how different nationalities are able to adhere to government guidance.
On BA changing their policy I'd say 1 July at the earliest. Ryanair will follow Jet2 soon, then Easyjet then BA. That said, I expect to see increased ignoring of mask wearing on board as folk start making heir own decisions.
On BA changing their policy I'd say 1 July at the earliest. Ryanair will follow Jet2 soon, then Easyjet then BA. That said, I expect to see increased ignoring of mask wearing on board as folk start making heir own decisions.
Mar 2, 2022, 1:25 am
#27
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 460
Decision makers at BA only need to look at supermarkets and tube trains (when they are running) to see how many people actually still want to wear masks and nobody is declaring it illegal that they continue to do so.
We shouldn’t concern ourselves with what other countries are doing, only abide by their regulations when under their jurisdiction.
We shouldn’t concern ourselves with what other countries are doing, only abide by their regulations when under their jurisdiction.
Mar 2, 2022, 1:53 am
#28
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,958
Decision makers at BA only need to look at supermarkets and tube trains (when they are running) to see how many people actually still want to wear masks and nobody is declaring it illegal that they continue to do so.
We shouldn’t concern ourselves with what other countries are doing, only abide by their regulations when under their jurisdiction.
We shouldn’t concern ourselves with what other countries are doing, only abide by their regulations when under their jurisdiction.
Mar 2, 2022, 1:58 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold, *A Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 654
A good half a dozen people boarded maskless, a couple were questioned by the crew to which the answer was “I’m exempt”, and that was that.
On an unrelated note, it would appear Gatwick has also dropped the mandatory masks, and simply now only recommends them.
We recommend you wear a face covering when at the airport. Follow the one-way systems and keep hands clean using the hand sanitisers provided.