As international travel starts to open up again many countries are starting to drop Covid19 restrictions and mandates, but many airlines are still insisting on passengers wearing masks, often breaking the law as they enforce their own self imposed rules. As the narratives around punitive measures taken as a result of the Covid19 pandemic start to crumble and airline rules can be justified less and less, it is time airlines stopped demanding travellers wear masks on flights.
It is not an exaggeration to say the way we travel has been severely impacted and changed over the last two years, from borders opening and closing, restrictions, rules and quarantines being imposed and changed seemingly on a whim and travel even being made illegal at one point in the UK, international travel has not been as easy as it once was.
Out of all restrictions travellers face, none – with the exception of the dreaded Vaccine Passports – were as pointless or controversial as mask mandates. From airports to airlines tinpot dictators rejoiced as they had one more rule to bash unwary travellers with and the tiny bit of power gained by getting to order someone to wear their mask seemed to fill the gaping hole they had in their lives, judging from the vehement zeal they pounced on any unwary non masked traveller with.
With every airline pretty much coming out with their own policies on masks and enforcing it as they saw fit, and the US mandating mask use on a federal level, travellers were being forced to mask up if they wanted to fly, whether they wanted to or not and more importantly whether they even could or not.
Many passengers are frankly unable to wear a mask and many more simply see the pointless futility of such theatre, and this has led to a significant increase in tension, arguments and even physical alterations on flights. The FAA has seen a significant increase in ‘unruly passenger‘ reports as a direct result of mask mandates in 2021. Air crew and airport security have been attacked and abused as a result of this mandate and countless fights have broken out between passengers, One woman even attacked an elderly man whilst forgetting to put her own mask on while screaming in his face!
And of course the punishments airlines dish out for these transgressions are extreme, with fines reaching the tens of thousands, passengers left stranded after having return tickets cancelled and banned from flying with the airline to being arrested by the FBI and put on no fly lists! Over a mask. A pointless bit of security theatre!
Is it worth it?
The mainstream media of course gleefully jump on anyone falling foul of this new mandate, liberally throwing words like anti vaxxer and anti masker around and pointing and laughing at those selfish, evil souls getting their just deserts with arrests and travel bans, revelling in the modern version of the medieval stocks, even if it was a 3 year old autistic child who kept taking the mask off!
Common sense is dead.
But it wasn’t just the fact that they were asking travellers to mask up that was the problem, it was of course the way they were doing it. Begrudgingly accepting the fact that there were a great many people who were physically, mentally or clinically exempt from being able to wear a mask, airlines put clauses in their diktats stating passengers were ‘allowed’ to go mask free if they met certain criteria. Unfortunately that criteria not only involved a painfully bureaucratic and frustrating process, but one that impinged on basic human rights, medical ethics and the law, too. This was made even worse by the fact that this was seemingly enforced differently dependent on the airline and the specific crew, with many not recognising exemptions at all.
As many venues in the UK quickly learned they were putting themselves in very risky legal waters by demanding people wear masks and demanding proof of exemptions, and were causing huge problems for the front facing staff who had to deal with customers who were rightly very angry about having their fundamental rights impinged. This is why the majority of UK venues backed off from doing so very quickly, something which most airlines seem to still be oblivious of.
Breaking The Law.
Of course every country does have its own laws, and there is little anyone can do about the laws another sovereign state passes. Australia and the US for example have tipped so far over into insane zealotry at this point that there is no saving them and their internal flights are best considered lost to the madness. Masking up is like a cult to many people now and challenging that behaviour is akin to handing out the pitchforks and torches to the mob, but here in the UK at least more sensible heads prevail and we actually have laws and ethical standards that have for a large part curtailed the excesses of the authoritarian masses.
It is important to remember that the official guidance from the UK government on the mandatory use of masks anywhere stated very explicitly from the very start that any exemption is valid, and that no one should be challenged on this exemption, nor should they be routinely asked for proof or that exemption or any underlying illness. This is backed up by the General Medical Council in the UK that has stated no Doctor has any obligation to write any such exemption and the airlines would do well to remember that there is zero requirement for any written proof.
Despite this, many airlines based in or flying from the UK are still doing so, which is not only highly unethical from a medical perspective, but is highly illegal under various human rights and privacy and discrimination legislation.
The Human Rights Act, as well as fundamental medical principles, state very clearly that everyone has the absolute right to medical privacy, which means that unless very specific legal parameters are met – which they are not in this case – then your medical history is between you and any medical professional you share that with, not a flight attendant on a power trip or a Karen screaming at you from three rows back to wear a mask. This is why the UK guidance states very clearly that no one can under any circumstance ask why you are exempt or ask for proof of your condition, because the government know it is illegal to do so. On top of that the Equalities Act 2010 states that no one can discriminate on the basis of any health condition or disability, so if you are exempt from wearing a mask, you cannot be asked about it, you cannot be compelled to show proof, and you certainly cannot be treated any differently because of that. That means mask mandates are by definition discriminatory.
So why exactly are they doing it? Well it certainly isn’t for your safety or for any clinical health reasons as they claim.
Not Following ‘The Science’.
If the reason was clinical and they were concerned about passenger health then why exactly did they quickly dispose of the empty middle seat rule they imposed when everyone was still terrified of anyone being within twenty feet of them? Why did they quietly stop giving extra time to cleaning crews to give the cabins a thorough disinfection during the turnaround between flights? (Which frankly is the biggest threat to health which is why I always advocate wiping down your immediate area such as tray tables and washing your hands).
It wouldn’t be for economic reasons now would it? Surely not. Surely airlines wouldn’t be putting money above your health, right?
Would it be too cynical to suggest that they put these measures in place to reassure people it is safe to fly and start selling tickets again? Only to ditch them when they found that not selling a third of the seats and spending longer in turnaround was costing them a fortune?
Would it be too cynical to suggest that keeping mask mandates in place are a way to publicly say they are ‘keeping people safe’ and ‘taking the situation seriously’ to calm the panicked masses down without actually costing them any money?
Well it certainly isn’t because they are following ‘the science’, as if that bastardised saying has any meaning left at all anymore. If they were they would know that despite the mandates enforced on people over the last year, all infection prevention control best practice as well as the WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, International Health Regulations 2005 and the Asia Pacific Strategy For Emerging Diseases And Public Health Emergencies, as well as the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework and many more besides has never recommended masks for general public use. In fact it has recommended against general public use precisely because they are only for specific clinical tasks in a clinical environment using aseptic technique, and outside of that they become an infection source themselves because people are frankly generally filthy. The only exception to this in an extreme emergency (which this is not by any definition anymore) is if patients are actively symptomatic or you are looking after someone who is symptomatic, and even then the pandemic response guidance states that the effect is only mechanistic and there is little evidence for it. I mean does anyone remember every qualified medical professional stating this at the start of the pandemic?
It’s not as if the WHO, the UKs Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, the Deputy CMO Jonathan Van Tam, former deputy CMO Jenny Harries and even the famous flip flopper Fauci himself stated that masks don’t work at all at the start of this in line with all established Infection Prevention Control best practice.
And no, the science never changed, the message did.
If airlines were following ‘the science’ they would know that despite the zealotry of the mainstream media and the screechy ‘masks work’ brigade, ‘the science’ is now crumbling and everyone is admitting that cloth masks don’t work after all and now everyone must wear a fully fitted N95 and double and triple mask to boot, because you know, you can’t be seen to back down from this, right? What’s next? Clinical masks are pointless too so you have to wear a full on WWII era gas mask for every flight? How about a hazmat suit?
I mean it’s not as if they can forget that after the first lockdown when the airlines were desperate to reassure people it was safe to fly that they went out of their way to state that it was safe without even a single mention of masks at all. It’s not as if the International Air Transport Association‘s Medical Director published statistics that showed between the start of 2020 and 2021, at the height of the pandemic, there were only 44 identified potential cases, and I stress potential, out of 1.2 billion travellers. 44. Out of 1.2 billion!
It’s not as if joint publications by Airbus, Boeing and Embraer stated that simulations confirmed that aircraft airflow systems, particularly HEPA filters, along with the natural barrier of the seatback and the flow of air significantly reduce the risk of all virus spread and declared the cabin safer than most indoor requirements.
And bear in mind that was before masks were even introduced. That was before the majority of most populations were vaccinated and the majority had at least some level of natural immunity on top of that.
The use of masks was advised in the revised Takeoff Guidance by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) out of an absolute abundance of caution and as a way to instil confidence in passenger safety. Not out of any clinical evidence that they will make any difference to virus spread or passenger safety.
Well that confidence has turned into zealotry, and given that most of the UK no longer enforces mask use and all restrictions are being dropped as the narrative around their justification and proportionality fail, there is no reason why airlines shouldn’t be doing the same. But they are not. Like the ridiculous and much ridiculed 100 ml rule, they are keeping mask mandates as some form of redundant security theatre.
So what exactly is the point now?
- Masks have no benefit outside of the clinical setting they are meant for.
- The risk of Covid19 to most travellers is extremely low.
- Risk is even lower in an airplane cabin due to HEPA filters.
- Personal responsibility (ie hand washing and wiping surfaces) reduces that risk even more.
- They cause problems with passenger anger and behaviour for air crew.
- Many places including the UK are dropping mask mandates.
- They are unethical.
- They are intrusive.
- Their enforcement is illegal.
So why in the name of all the Gods are mask mandates on planes being kept?
It is to appease the terrified masses, plain and simple.
The fact is these mandates are in response to the general public mass fear and panic. It is many passengers themselves are demanding everyone wear a mask because seeing unmasked people on a flight makes them feel unsafe.
Well frankly, that’s just tough. Just because you are afraid, does not mean you are at risk, and policy should be led by science, not your feelings. Other peoples fear and ignorance has no place dictating what anyone must or mustn’t do.
I personally think it is disgusting that people walk to the airplane toilet in bare feet, but they have that right to do so. I think it is disgusting that passengers think it is okay to fling their hair over the back of the seat or put their feet up in the little gaps for the armrests, but they do.
What about the fact that as someone who is actually qualified in infection prevention control it horrifies me that passengers are allowed to bring masks on at all? Masks that are covered in germs, faecal matter, urine and all manner of other disgusting things and are allowed to touch them and then touch other parts of the plane which are never wiped down? Am I allowed to dictate you don’t wear one?
Don’t believe me? When was the last time you replaced that mask? Do you dispose of them aseptically? How many times has it been in and out of your pocket? How many times do you touch, readjust and fiddle with that thing when it is on your face? When was the last time you washed your hands? Should I tell you about the last time I was in an airport and watched three guys in succession leave the bathroom stalls, bypass the sink where I was washing my hands and fiddle with their masks on their face as they left? Do you want something next to your nose and mouth with faecal matter and urine all over it? I certainly don’t, and I don’t want your nasty hands touching anything around me either!
Yet I am not stopping you wearing one if you really want to am I? All I am saying is by the same token it should not be mandated on flights for everyone either.
It is unethical, it is illegal, and it is wrong.
The problem now is that airlines are still demanding people wear masks or show proof of exemption despite it being unethical and illegal, because airlines have always been a law unto themselves and have been allowed to get away with setting their own rules and treating passengers any way they like for far too long. It is time that stopped. Far more regulation is needed on everything from compensation claims to overbooking, but for now I will settle for them ending the ridiculous mandatory rules around masks.
There is no clinical or scientific justification to keep these mask mandates going beyond anything other than security theatre, and it is time that ended. It is time that travel got back to normal and every restriction and mandate dropped immediately, and if anyone is still terrified to travel while someone isn’t wearing a mask on a plane, then I think it is long past time that we stopped pandering to that fear and allowing it to become a full blown psychosis.
Let’s just get back to travelling normally again. Drop all these ridiculous restrictions. Let’s just get back on those planes, get as comfy as we can in the tiny seats, mind our own damn business with what everyone else is doing and enjoy the flight with a big drink and a smile on our face that everyone can see!
Did you enjoy this article? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below or on my Facebook or Twitter pages and please feel free to share it with any or all of the social media buttons. If you want to get more great backpacking tips, advice and inspiration, please subscribe to updates via email in the box to your right.
Related Articles.
Do Airlines Need To Be Legally Held To Account For Letting Passengers Down?
Is The United Airlines PR Debacle A Line In The Sand For Passenger Rights?
It’s Time To Open Up International Travel Now.
The 10 Most Annoying Things About Flying.
Travel Hygiene And Staying Germ Free And Healthy On Your Gap Year.
Should Ryanair Lose Their License To Operate?
Why Covid19 Vaccine Passports For Travel Are Wrong.
Michael Huxley is a published author, professional adventurer and founder of the travel website, Bemused Backpacker. He has spent the last twenty years travelling to over 100 countries on almost every continent, slowly building Bemused Backpacker into a successful business after leaving a former career in emergency nursing and travel medicine, and continues to travel the world on numerous adventures every year.
Bemused Backpacker 
Completely agree. They never should have been a thing in the first place.
They really shouldn’t.
No legal requirements in England from next Thursday so how exactly are they going to enforce this or justify it? People need to have the freedom to choose to wear them or not.
Well exactly, the problem is airlines have the ultimate catch all with ‘disruptive passenger’, you get labelled with that and they can do what they like, that is why I have always said they need a mountain of legislation dropping on them.
Absolutely this! Sick abd tired of Karens trying to micromanage my life. I’m vaccinated, couldn’t care less whether others are or not. I don’t wear a mask but don’t care if others do or not either. Do as you like.
Perfectly put Matt.
Yep, time to stop all these restrictions now… get jabbed, go live your life ( but know and accept you might get slightly ill ).
Time for all this to end.
It is, except people can make the choice to not have the vaccination if they don’t want it too, but everyone should live their own life, yes.
Couldn’t agree more! Time to get back to normal!
Yes it is!
Great article. I totally agree with you. Then again, we always seem to be on the same page. 😉
Thank you sir, and that is because you are obviously a gentleman, a scholar and very intelligent to boot! ;D
Well said and no one should be labelled as ‘anti or a denier’ just for exercising their right to choose as it is personal choice as it always should have been!
Exactly.
It’s never ok to not wear a mask, that is complete selfishness that condemns the immunosuppressed like me to complete isolation. You should be ashamed promoting this recklessness.
So how exactly did you survive in society before this?
There are many more dangerous things in the world than Covid and we can’t keep this circus going forever. Sooner or later we have to return to life as normal. Just because people have been terrified by propaganda doesnt mean the rest of us should suffer in perpetuity.
Never? So the norm before this last year, ie not wearing a mask, was never okay either then? You brainwashed fools are too far gone for normal society now.
I disagree, respectfully of course.
Airlines are private businesses, like superstores, and essentially have the right to do as they like. If passengers feel uncomfortable flying because of unmasked or unvaxxed people, then surely the company has a responsibility to protect customers.
I have no problem with respectful disagreements. Let’s just ignore for the moment the fact that they aren’t protecting anyone with mask mandates as I have laid out in the article, from an American perspective that is what your private businesses have been allowed to get away with, wrongly in my opinion. Here in the UK, Europe and most of the rest of the world though that is only true up until a point, because businesses are also held to account under equalities legislation and they are not allowed to discriminate on health grounds. I mean just replace the word unmasked with a certain skin colour, how does that statement sound then?
What does abolishing mask wearing achieve except more Covid spread, more deaths & more harm?! Why??
Except it just doesn’t though, does it? That’s just fear and ignorance speaking, isn’t it?
Very, very well said. I’m sixty this year and have had my vaccination as well as my yearly flu jab, as well as generally taking care of my health now because I am technically vulnerable, but I won’t be wearing a mask any longer, we’ve got to learn to live with this. I plan to travel the world now I am retired and have gad two years I can’t get back stolen from me. Enough us enough. I am a huge fan of your site by the way, you were the one who inspired my retirement travel plan! Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much Eileen, you have made my day! It is awesome to hear you are planning an epic retirement! And you are absolutely right, time to live with it and live your life! Enjoy your travels.
Mask have been known to be effective for 100yrs against Corona viruses and were in use in mediaeval times. I’ll keep wearing mine.
Feel free, you can do what you like, that’s the point. You wear yours and I won’t. Next time you are ill though ask about the latest research on leeches, you’ll be shocked at how far the science has come since the 5th century!
😂😂😂
Is wearing a mask really such a hardship when all it dies is protect others?;
It doesn’t though, does it? And yes, for many people it is an extreme hardship.
Absolute rubbish, there is no such thing as an exemption, that is why no other country recognises them! I’m here in Germany and there are no exceptions here. Wear your mask!
Well I’ll be sure to tell all those with legal and clinically recognised conditions as listed out on the UK governments own guidance then Andrew, but I wouldn’t be using Germany as a good example of enforcing ze rules! It might get a bit awkward! Now put your hand down Andrew, no need to salute.
I’ve just returned from the Middle East where indoors masks are still mandatory and entry to shops only for the immunised. Planes are one thing but how do we deal with that?
We can’t change other country’s laws Sam and we have to comply with them when they are actual law obviously but what we can do is change the mandates and restrictions in our own country (and the airlines that are bound to it), especially when they aren’t law.
How can someone supposedly qualified promote not wearing a mask? Selfish!
Easy, because I know what I am talking about. Ignorant!
Why on earth would you get rid of the cheapest easiest effective measure you have in the middle of a pandemic? How many times do we have to repeat the same mistakes.
Because they aren’t effective Margaret, that’s the point. Did you not read the article? I do completely agree about making the same mistakes though, the fear mongers do keep doing that. Lockdowns, masks, more lockdowns, more masks. Maybe it’s about time we relied on good old fashioned medical training and best practice instead, eh?
I won’t be flying if they allow unmasked people on flights.
Ok, that’s your choice.
Airlines should keep mask mandates indefinitely! Its all about keeping others safe!
No it isn’t John, it’s about appeasing the weak minded.
It’s not just the mandates themselves, it’s the slavish adherence to them that frightens me, especially in America! Just look at the response to media stories with that flight to London turning back to the US and all the comments saying duct tape the unmasked up and ban them from flying, WTF is wrong with these people?
Oh I totally agree Neil, I saw that story! And the plane was closer to London too! The responses of the brainwashed are terrifying.
The virtue signalling brainwashing is obscene.
I agree.
Airlines are definitely our of control with their rules I agree, but I’d put money on most crew wanting mask mandates to end too. I’m sure they don’t want the extra hassle.
I’m sure you are right for many of them Jay, I’ve seen a few who were definitely enjoying the zeal with which they were giving out mask orders but I’m sure many would just rather not have the hassle.
I actually don’t mind masks at all and will continue wearing them.
Great, good for you.
Does anyone remember when everyone called airlines out for trying to dictate what people wear on their flights? 😂
Oh constantly! I remember a lot of people got extremely (and rightly) offended when a Virgin Australia pilot got a young woman kicked off a flight because he didn’t like people “showing a lot of skin”! I think it was some sort of gym wear she had on if I remember rightly. Apparently clothing policies are a bad thing then!
I have been saying this myself! They’ll act like complete nazis and ban people for not wearing a mask, which does absolutely nothing by the way, but then won’t clean the cabin properly or disinfect surfaces between flights! Make it make sense!
I wish I could Lee!
So what will you do when/if mandates are dropped and people continue to wear masks? Because I will.
Not care less. As long as no one dictates what I do then as long as you aren’t affecting anyone else I couldn’t care less what you do or don’t wear either. That’s the point Jen. Choice. That and people minding their own business.
I’ve flown a few times over the last few months and am glad to say on some airlines common sense does appear to be coming back very slowly. My last BA flight to the US was pretty easy, I was asked once, said exempt and was left alone after that, around a third of the plane (very rough guess from what I could see) wasn’t wearing one). Flew Delta in the US after that and the insanity came back with a vengeance though!
Great to hear some airlines are getting it right Greg! (BA is a shock but kudos to them!) Have to say that was my experience with Air Portugal and a few others too. I’m glad I haven’t flown a US airline since the start of this though!
I’m glad the UK are finally seeing some sense on masks and are dropping the mandates, but it just beggars belief that airlines are just carrying on doing what they like.
They always have Emma, the CAA and FAA don’t care and don’t have enough teeth when they do. Airlines get away with whatever they like.
Totally agree.
Never liked wearing one, never saw the point. Always thought it was beyond overkill forcing people to wear them. Good to have some actual knowledge behind that.
It definitely was overkill, and now a measure designed to appease some of the fearmongering has somehow become the norm.
They’re more for protecting others than yourself. So if you don’t wanna wear one in crowded places like aeroplane cabins, you’re basically telling everyone how selfish you are and that you have no care for others.
You are still buying that propaganda Wayne? Don’t worry, I’m sure people can see what a good little virtue signaller you are. Well done.
Public transport and especially airline cabins are a breeding ground for colds flu etc even without a pandemic, it’s common sense to wear it on a train bus or plane! Stop thinking of yourself & think of the others that may be at home vulnerable, it’s not all about you!
So you always wore a full mask every single flu season then did you? And yes it is about me Richard, that’s the point. Personal responsibility for health, that is how it has always been and how it always should be.
I swear sometimes they just love trying to make flying as horrific an experience possible for all involved. We are paying customers, just shut up, let us board, let us sit in peace and quiet and leave us alone!
If only!
It is a federal law to wear a mask and if you choose to go against it then you should suffer the consequences.
You do realise the world is bigger than the US, right? And your own supreme court has had a lot to say about the legitimacy of that so called law recently. I suggest instead of being an authoritarian little tinpot you do some reading around that.
Federal mandate in over 100 countries. Put it on and get over it. So many crybabies these days that feel “freedom” is only themselves!
Federal. In 100 countries. Sigh.
I think we need to sit you down and reevaluate your perception of the world before we educate you on masks.
US Airlines have crossed the line into full on fascist companies. Masks don’t work and are just face decorations.
They really have. Hopefully they will ease up now the supreme court has laid a judgement down on NYC.
The last flight I took I brought a couple of family size bag of crisps and ate them one by one during the entire flight. No mask while eating, them’s the rules!
Haha, at least no one can say you aren’t sticking to ze rules! ;D
Anti maskers should be placed on a no fly list for a minimum of 5 years with added costs for expenses incurred for their nonsense. They will learn pretty quick.
Oh they will learn will they Steven? And what if they don’t fall in line? Will you perhaps promote medical apartheid even more? Punish the transgressors with jail time? Physical punishment? Will you separate the evil, dirty groups with a little yellow symbol perhaps? What’s next? Where does your mentality lead Steven?
Did you hear of that American Airlines flight that turned around mid flight because someone wasn’t wearing a mask? I don’t know whether to be disappointed or angry that most people don’t see the stupidity of the airline’s decision rather than being up in arms about airlines still requiring masks…
I did indeed and I completely agree. An epic overreaction cheered on by the witch hunting mob calling for consequences. These people are truly insane.
Very stupid policies. Every flight has most passengers wearing masks but under their nose or off because they are eating so what’s the point?
That’s the question Ron, what is the point? No one has yet been able to answer that to any clinically appropriate standard.
I love how you’ve been consistent with this message from the start and now even the main stream media are saying the same and pretending like they have said it all along!
Thanks Julia, yeah the U turns are shocking at the moment!
Brilliant article and so well said! 👏 👏👏👏👏
Thank you so much. 🙂
Airlines are allowed to set any rules they like. Everyone knows the rules before they book, they need to abide by them.
No they aren’t Tony, there are still those pesky little things known as international health regulations and human rights and equalities legislation, but don’t let those tiny things bother you as you bend over and follow the crowd.
I have no problem wearing one myself personally but don’t agree with blanket rules like this and think you are absolutely right. I think the big problem as always with airlines is the over worked air crew taking their new found “power” to an unreasonable limit, knowing they can abuse that power and people will be on a no fly list if they argue.
That is definitely the big issue Rachel, and I doubt airlines would get away with half of what they do if they knew there would be consequences for breaking the law.
Airlines are private companies and have no business at all dictating what anyone does or does not do for their health.
Exactly Lee.
I agree with masks and punishing those who don’t comply. I don’t want airline staff to be abused verbally or physically nor do I want to be on a flight with someone like that. It’s a mask. it won’t kill you to wear it.
Punishing those who don’t comply? Wow, nazis really are showing their true colours aren’t they? What next comrade? Round up all ze non compliers? Put their names on ze list? Force them to wear identifying marks? Use camps to keep them in?
I don’t particularly want to be on a flight with someone like you, but guess what? We all have a right to travel, so get used to it.
Exactly, especially now that mist places have dropped mandates, who do they think they are? If sheeple want to wear one to make themselves feel better that’s fine, but the days are gone where they can demand everyone take part in their hyperchondria.
I completely agree.
Finally someone is talking about this! I can’t believe just how quickly and easily people just accepted this nonsense as the norm!
Me neither Jan.
I get the feeling it will slowly just be ignored by cabin crew and people will just be left alone.
You are probably right Paul, but the problem is as long as the rules are not officially and specifically gotten rid of, crew can use them to discriminate any time they like. That is why the mandate needs to end officially, not just quietly forgotten.
When did airlines start catering to hypochondriac? Time to end this now.
When it started costing them money.
Ryanair will probably start charging extra for mask free seats! 😂😂
Oh don’t give them ideas!
The problem is the airlines have to abide by the FAAs rules. They don’t have a choice.
Yes they do have a choice Tina. They can simply choose not to comply. Outside of the US their are only guidelines, not rules, and even under the US’ ridiculous level of fascism every mandate has been deemed unlawful when it reached the supreme court, so …