Airlines are banning cloth face masks on flights

Air carriers are increasingly banning the style of masks many of us have been wearing throughout the pandemic.

Commercial airline passengers who wish to travel abroad may need to double-check their chosen face mask fits current policies.

While many airlines have deemed fabric face masks to be acceptable pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE), some international airlines are showing a preference for surgical-grade face masks.

Finnair, Finland’s leading air carrier, updated its coronavirus mask policy on Monday with an announcement that it would no longer be allowing cloth face masks on-board.

“Starting August 16, we will no longer accept fabric masks on our flights,” the airline wrote. “We accept surgical masks, FFP2 or FFP3 respirator masks without a valve or other valve-free masks with the same standard (N95). Please remember you need to wear a mask throughout the entire journey.”

Finnair is one of the international airlines that have made the ruling. Picture: iStock

The airline elaborated on its website that fabric masks won’t be accepted because “they allow air to escape and do not provide comparable protection.” Passengers are also expected to bring their own masks when travelling on Finnair.

Other international airlines that have surgical mask policies include Air France, Swissair, Croatia Airlines, Germany’s Lufthansa and Chile’s LATAM Airlines.

Airlines that have shown a preference for surgical-grade masks have cited research that states surgical masks filter small particles better than fabric-made masks.

Not all airlines have taken this approach. In Australia, Qantas does not specify what kind of mask passengers need to wear, only that they need to be worn properly, in line with government rules.

“You’re required to wear a mask on all Australian domestic flights,” Qantas says.

“Your face mask needs to cover your mouth and nose and must be worn unless you’re under 12 years of age or have a medical condition.

Australian airlines do not currently ban cloth face masks. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“When travelling within Australia, you’ll need to wear your mask as soon as you enter the airport, and also in-flight.”

Virgin Australia also reminds passengers that face masks must be worn on all flights and inside airports according to the government rules.

“Face masks are required to be worn by Virgin Australia guests over their mouth and nose in the airport and in-flight unless the guest is under 12 years of age or is exempt from wearing a face mask,” the airline says.

The US CDC has previously said cloth and surgical masks are both acceptable. Picture: iStock

“Face masks may be removed to eat and drink, unless otherwise directed by our crew.”

Exemptions apply to passengers who cannot wear a face mask for medical reasons.

In the US, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that cloth and non-surgical-grade face masks are suitable options so long as it has multiple layers and is free of exhaust valves or vents.

Additional mask features the health agency says people should keep an eye out for include an adjustable nose wire, correctly-sized or adjustable ear loops and be opaque when held up to a light source (to help determine whether it has enough layers).

A version of this article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission