Skip to main content

Virgin Atlantic and BA drop mask mandate on US flights

Air
Will Payne
20 April 2022

British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have made mask-wearing optional for passengers on fights to the US.

The new rules will come into effect on 16 May (Credit: Elly Johnson / Unsplash)

The airlines updated their policies on Tuesday (19 April) after a Florida federal judge ruled the mask mandate was unlawful on aircraft, trains, buses and other public transportation.

In a statement posted to its website, Virgin Atlantic said: "Effective immediately (Tuesday 19 April), face masks will be a personal choice for our customers and people travelling in either direction between the UK and the United States.

"This aligns with our existing mask policy on routes where international regulations around mask-wearing do not apply, such as between the UK and the Caribbean."