Facemaskgate: BA isn’t sure which countries require one, so until they work it out ….

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• Dev says:

  18 Mar18 March 07:09

  So Kenya (BA65 is to Nairobi) has dropped the mask requirement but only in well ventilated areas. Guidance from Governments can be a minefield. Does aircraft HEPA filters and the fact that the entire air in an aircraft is replaced with new outside air every couple of minutes count as well ventilated?

  So my understanding is that a mask is required for BA65 to Nairobi, but no mask on BA64 to London.

  (I live in Kenya hence using BA64/65 as an example).

• Tical says:

  18 Mar18 March 07:14

  No masks until the doors closed on flight to Athens (BA640) yesterday but then announcement for everyone to put masks on. As typical, there were many American tourists on the flight and the announcement caused confusion as everyone was led to believe no masks were required

• Rebecca says:

  18 Mar18 March 07:23

  I do have some sympathy, though it seems bizarre that they didn’t think of it before making the original (non-)announcement. Some federal countries have different rules in different states, potentially changing at different times, so it’s not as straightforward as it might seem. Couldn’t they just ask outstation staff to confirm the current rules in their local jurisdiction?

  • Rhys says:

    18 Mar18 March 08:29

    That sounds far too sensible!

    • Sunguy says:

      18 Mar18 March 10:32

      Problem is that the VAST majority of outstation staff are now just a few folks from someone like Menzies who have about 3 or 4 airline uniforms depending on the airline they are working on at that point in time…..(i.e. apart from branding – they have no real contact with BA).

      But, Im sure BA have country “directors” who should be able to gather the information for the countries they are dealing with – they “should” know their patch and “should” know how it works…..

      This – of course – is theory, but as Rhys says, way too sensible for BA to comprehend.

      • CatchFlightsNotFeelings says:

        18 Mar18 March 12:48

        Im in my industry we also need to know about mask mandates, restrictions ect in over 50 territories in order for us to operate. I collect all this data and have done for 2 years. It really isn’t hard or time consuming. And like you said, we have people on the ground in each country to share when the rules are about to change, and when they have officially changed. It’s no different to BA having to keep track of the requirements of testing for each country in order to verify documents to allow passengers to board, so not sure why they find it so hard to collect this information also.

• The Original Nick says:

  18 Mar18 March 07:28

  No announcement requiring passengers to wear a mask at the gate or onboard. Crew have masks on but they’ve only just put them on as I was boarding. I was the 6th passenger to board. Seems that its optional.

• aseftel says:

  18 Mar18 March 07:41

  I’m more disheartened by the terrible standard of written English in the policy. Communicating simply and clearly should be a core competency if many of your customers speak English as a second language.

  • Nick says:

    18 Mar18 March 08:15

    Sadly, increasingly lacking in so many people today, who are more used to using ‘text speak’.

  • Paul says:

    18 Mar18 March 09:20

    probably outsource to India, like their IT

    • NorthernLass says:

      18 Mar18 March 09:45

      There are many educated Indians who speak better English than those for whom it is supposed to be the first language!

      • Sunguy says:

        18 Mar18 March 10:36

        Maybe – but they are all in the US or here in the UK pretty much……

        I spent 7 -yes 7 hours trying to get a very, very basic question answered by NatWest chat service – and I still didnt actually get a real answer – they couldnt understand the question…..(it was as complex as – I got a letter telling me you are re-issuing my card – when will I get it…..)…

• supergraeme says:

  18 Mar18 March 08:34

  Masks all round on LHR-BLQ right now.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    18 Mar18 March 10:42

    Sounds right as France has a public transport mask mandate.

    • bafan says:

      18 Mar18 March 12:04

      Or Italy infact…😉

      • TGLoyalty says:

        18 Mar18 March 13:52

        The funniest thing is I put Spain then decided it said BIQ 😂

        • TGLoyalty says:

          18 Mar18 March 13:53

          Ie BIO. So I was wrong on all accounts

          If only going to these airports was as easy in reality than in my head.

• Polly says:

  18 Mar18 March 08:46

  Masks on all pax to Dublin yesterday evening..reinforced by several announcements from a very stern FA…

  • TGLoyalty says:

    18 Mar18 March 10:50

    Is that because BA or Ireland mandate it or because the FA wants that?

    Personally I think it’ll be a rough few days /weeks while everyone works it out

• Jan Erik Sorensen says:

  18 Mar18 March 09:16

  BA819 CPH -> LHR Wed 16th – No mask requirement.
  BA662 LHR -> LCA Thur 17th – Mask back on. Questioned crew and was told that Cypriot Government required it. Asked for vaccination proof after landing in LCA. Nothing else.

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