Qantas makes huge change to mask rule on some flights

It’s been along time coming, and something many Aussies will be pleased to hear with Qantas making a big change to some of its flights starting from today.

It’s something many Aussies will be pleased to hear – while others may be slightly nervous about the new change.

As of today, Qantas will lift in-flight mask requirements for outbound international routes where masks are not required by the government of the destination.

This means you can now ditch your mask if you’re on a non-stop flight from NSW, Queensland and Western Australia to the US, UK and Europe (Rome).

It comes after Qantas announced last week it would soon update its on-board mask policy for international flights to align with the rules at the destination.

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The rule change means you no longer have to wear a mask if you’re on a direct flight from NSW, Queensland and WA to the US, UK and Europe (Rome). Picture: David Swift/NCA NewsWire

“Given the different rules in different jurisdictions overseas as well as for domestic flights in

Australia and now at airports, we appreciate some of our customers may find mask requirements confusing, particularly when they have connecting flights, and we’re doing our best to help them prepare for their flights as well as continuing to talk to governments about the need for more consistent rules,” a Qantas statement read.

On his show this morning, 2GB host Ben Fordham revealed the big mask change after having received an internal memo.

The change comes into effect on July 21.

“If you were listening to this program on Friday, you would know this already but now I can confirm as of right now … you do not have to wear a mask on the plane if you are flying Qantas,” he said.

“The change to in-flight mask requirements on some international flights is an important step in our transition to living with Covid, and we welcome this change,” the memo read.

However, if you still want to wear a mask, you can. Picture: Supplied

It continued that scrapping masks on some flights “is the appropriate next step, with global studies showing the risk of transmission inside the cabin is very low”.

A spokesman for Qantas and Jetstar previously told The Australian this is due to the air being refreshed every few minutes, in addition to forward-facing seats and HEPA filters which capture 99 per cent of airborne particles.

Qantas said scrapping masks on some flights ‘is the appropriate next step, with global studies showing the risk of transmission inside the cabin is very low’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

Passengers, including staff and cabin crew who still wish to wear masks, can, with the item available in lounges at boarding gates, on-board and in cabin crew rooms.

However Fordham pointed out a “crazy” rule which Qantas allegedly want changed.

“If you are flying into Australia you do have to wear a mask. So Americans and Brits flying into Australia have to mask up. Aussies flying to London, LA, or Hawaii do not have to mask up,” he said.

“So they want those rules relaxed.”

Meanwhile, the requirement for masks to be worn on-board its Australian domestic flights and inbound international flights remains unchanged for now.

“This includes any airport employees who are servicing or boarding aircraft at the gate,” the memo read.