Since 18 months, flying with a face mask has been a standard. It has been questioned when this will change. However, it is interesting to see that soon the mandate for wearing a face mask when flying will be lifted in one region of the globe.
SAS has ended face mask rules in Scandinavia
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), will no longer require the use of a face mask for flights within Scandinavian.
The airline will still follow the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA), recommendations regarding the use of facial masks on flights to destinations other than Denmark, Norway and Sweden. This means that you will still need to wear a mask when flying to European or intercontinental destinations with SAS.
According to the airline, the policy change is due to the opening up of societies and general recommendations by authorities in Scandinavia.
The unusual way Sweden dealt with the pandemic was widely discussed. Swedish health officials opposed the use of facial masks. This was contrary to most global health officials. They claimed that they create a false sense security and can lead people to forget about social distancing.
SAS does not require the use of masks on flights within Scandinavia
What other airlines will follow SAS' lead?
SAS is, to my knowledge the only airline that has lifted its face mask requirements on selected flights.
Cathay Pacific introduced a face mask exemption in first and business class for passengers sleeping in early 2021. They argued that the passenger had enough privacy and separation to not need masks while they were asleep. But, I cannot think of any other major airline who has lifted the mask requirement in certain markets.
Cathay Pacific does not require you to wear masks when you are sleeping in premium cabins
The federal transportation mask mandate is currently in effect in the United States. This mandate is due to expire on January 18, 2022. However, it could be extended as in the past. Everybody seems to have a different opinion on this. Personally, I believe the requirement will be extended once again but who knows?
Bottom line
Scandinavian Airlines will soon no longer require passengers wearing masks when flying within Scandinavia. It is hard to think of any other major airline that has lifted similar mask requirements. That will be interesting to see. Given the message of Sweden around masks, I think it's not surprising that SAS would be the first airline to lift this requirement.
Time will only tell if other airlines adopt similar policies.
What do you think will happen to the mask requirements on other airlines?
