Do I have to wear a mask on the plane? Explained the latest rules for Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways and more

The Easter holidays are upon us and many Britons will take their first holiday abroad since the pandemic began.

With mask-wearing guidance, proof of vaccination status and quarantine rules constantly changing, it can be difficult to keep up.

What are the current rules for wearing a mask at airports and on UK airline flights?

Here’s everything you need to know.

Wearing a face mask at the airport and on board Ryanair flights is mandatory.

If you are traveling to, from or within Italy, Austria or Germany, it must be an FFP2 face mask.

Upon arrival at your destination, you should keep your mask on until exiting the airport terminal.

Masks are optional on a small number of easyJet flights but are required in most cases.

On flights to, from and within Italy, Austria and Germany, all passengers aged six and over must wear an FFP2 mask when flying.

On flights to, from and within France, passengers aged six and over must wear an FFP2 or surgical mask when flying.

You do not need a mask to fly on flights between England, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Isle of Man, Denmark, Sweden, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Hungary, Iceland and Poland.

However, if you are flying between any of these countries to a destination where masks are required, you must still wear the appropriate mask.

On all other easyJet routes, passengers aged six and over must wear an appropriate mask – scarves, visors and masks with valves will not be accepted.

Those exempt from wearing a face mask should contact the airline to inform them before flying on a route that requires the wearing of a mask.

You must wear a mask when disembarking from the aircraft and at your arrival airport with British Airways if the destination you are flying to requires it.

For most destinations, you must wear a mask on board the flight and in the terminal.

To check if your destination requires a mask to fly, check British Airways information Covid-19 travel center.

Masks are not required at airports or on Jet2 aircraft in England and Northern Ireland, but Jet2 recommends travelers continue to wear them.

In Scotland, people aged six and over are required to wear a mask in Scottish airports and on flights to and from those airports.

If you are unable to wear a mask, you should notify the airline in advance and provide proof of exemption in order to travel.

When traveling abroad, you must wear a mask when disembarking the aircraft, inside the airport and on board Jet2 transfers to and from your accommodation.

If masks are required, they must be medical or fitted face masks and comply with the mask regulations of the country you are traveling to.

If you’re traveling to or from England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you are not required to wear a mask on TUI flights, but the airline strongly recommends it.

When flying to or from Scotland, people aged 12 and over must wear a mask during the flight unless an exemption applies.

If you’re flying on one of TUI’s partner airlines, you should check their website for mask requirements.

When flying to the US, people aged 2 and over must wear a mask for the entire flight. If you are exempt, you must carry proof with you.

When flying to Italy, people aged six and over must wear an FFP2 mask throughout the flight. If you are medically exempt, you must provide proof.

Sunflower lanyards will not be accepted as evidence of a medical exemption.

As the pandemic is ongoing, the rules are subject to change at short notice. Therefore, always check the website of the relevant airline before you travel.

FFP2 face masks are accepted everywhere. So if you have doubts about what kind of mask to wear, this is the best option.