Do Children Need to Wear an Airplane Face Mask?

What Airlines are Requiring Face Masks?

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but gives you 15 major airlines current rules for face masks during the Coronavirus pandemic and their policies on children wearing them plus extra information to help you plan.

A helpful reader who is exempt also wrote in to tell me about their experience and noted that, “some airlines also require a negative test result in order to travel with a face covering exemption.” And to check that the exemption is noted on all sectors of the journey in case of connections and transit stops to avoid any situations of denied boarding.

Delta

Website: https://www.delta.com/

Covid-19 Travel Guide: https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-update-center/ways-we-are-keeping-you-safe/onboard-services

Covid-19 FAQs: https://www.delta.com/apac/en/travel-update-center/coronavirus-travel-faqs

Highlights:

• Effective immediately, masks are optional for all airport employees, crew members and customers inside U.S. airports and on board all aircraft domestically, as well as on most international flights.

Permitted Masks when masks must be worn to certain countries eg Canada, Italy, Austria and more.

• Disposable surgical or medical masks 
• Cloth masks with tightly woven fabric (2 or 3 ply masks are recommended) 
• Valve-free respirator masks (N95 or KN95) 
• Fabric masks with a clear plastic window  
• Gaiters with two layers (single layer gaiters should be doubled over) 
• Plastic face shields or goggles may be worn in addition to a mask but are not approved mask replacements. 

Emirates

Website: https://www.emirates.com/ph/english/

Covid-19 Travel Guide:https://www.emirates.com/ph/english/help/your-safety/

Highlights:

• When you enter Emirates Terminal 3 in Dubai you’ll need to wear a face mask. You don’t have to wear gloves, but it is recommended. 
• We’ll give you a complimentary travel hygiene kit containing gloves, a face mask, antibacterial wipes and a hand sanitiser. 
• Make sure you pack everything into your checked-in bags. Cabin baggage is currently restricted to a laptop bag, handbag, briefcase, or baby items only. 
• From 1 July, we’ll reopen our Business Class Lounge on Concourse B at Dubai International airport for First Class, Business Class and eligible Emirates Skywards customers. Our other lounges in Dubai and around the world remain closed for the time being.
• We’re boarding the aircraft in smaller groups from the last row to the first

Rules for Masks:

Current 19th April 2022. You must wear a cloth or medical mask throughout Dubai International airport, during boarding, throughout your flight, and as you leave the aircraft. Children under 6 years old and customers who have certain medical conditions do not have to wear a mask.

Due to local government regulations, only medical face masks are accepted on flights from Dubai to Germany, France, and Austria.

If for medical reasons you’re unable to wear a mask throughout your entire journey, you need to complete a Medical Information Form (MEDIF)before your flight.

This applies to:

Customers with the following cognitive, intellectual or sensory conditions

• Parkinson’s disease
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Dementia
• Hydrocephalus
• Down syndrome
• Developmental delay
• Autism spectrum condition

Customers who require supplemental oxygen or have the following respiratory conditions:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Heart failure
• Cystic fibrosis
• Asthma

From Customer Services Representative: We expect parents to encourage their children to wear a mask for extra protection. Flights to/from the USA all passengers aged two and above are required to wear a mask unless they meet the CDC exemptions.

Jet Blue 

Website: https://www.jetblue.com/

Covid-19 Travel Guide: https://www.jetblue.com/safety

Highlights:

• Per Federal mandate, we require all travelers 2 years and older to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth on board and at the airport unless exempt. Masks with exhalation valves or vents are not permitted.
• If a mask cannot be worn due to a permitted CDC exemption, then a face shield must be worn to travel.

Jet star

Website: https://www.jetstar.com/

Covid-19 Travel Guide: https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/fly-well

Covid-19 FAQs:https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/covid-19-faq

Highlights:

• Information sent to you before you fly, so you know what to expect
• Contactless check-in (either online or via our mobile App) is recommended
• A Fly Well pack will be provided containing a mask and sanitising wipes
• You’ll be asked to limit movement around cabin, once seated
• Modified inflight catering to minimise touchpoints for crew and customers
• Food and beverages will only be available when pre-paid up to 24 hours before departure, no sales will be made on board.

Rules for Masks:

For further details see https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/fly-well

Qantas

Website: https://www.qantas.com/ph/en.html

Covid-19 Travel Guide:

https://www.qantas.com/ph/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus.html

https://www.qantas.com/ph/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus/health-while-flying.html

Covid-19 FAQs: https://www.qantas.com/ph/en/travel-info/travel-updates/coronavirus/frequently-asked-questions.html

Highlights:

• Contactless check-in (either online or via our mobile App) is recommended
• Self-service Bag Drop is strongly encouraged
• On entering the lounge, you may be asked to provide your contact details as part of COVID-19 traceability requirements
• Simplified service – for the time being we’ve reduced our food and beverage offering and removed inflight entertainment. 
• You’ll be provided with a Fly Well pack containing a mask and sanitising wipes. 
• Temporary removal of inflight magazines (available digitally)
• All Qantas Meeting Rooms are closed until further notice.
• All Qantas Valet locations are closed until further notice.

Rules for Masks:

You’re required to wear a face mask on all flights. Your face mask needs to cover your mouth and nose, fit securely and must be worn unless you’re under 12 years of age or have a medical exemption. A scarf or bandana is not considered a face mask.

As you’ll need to wear your mask as soon as you enter the airport as well as inflight, you’re encouraged to bring your own. If you need a replacement mask, they are included in your Fly Well pack which is collected at the boarding gate.

Ensure you’re aware of any government requirements that apply while in Australia and in New Zealand including wearing face masks and coverings.

Lufthansa

Website: https://www.lufthansa.com/ar/en/faq-hygiene

All passengers aged 6 and over must wear a mask unless exempt on ALL Lufthansa flights. An exemption to the obligation to wear a face mask can be made on health grounds. Lufthansa will only accept an exemption on presentation of an up-to-date (no more than 48 hours old) negative Covid-19 PCR test result alongside the Lufthansa Group form signed by a doctor. Please let them know before boarding.

Cloth face masks, as well as visors (face shields), masks with valves, scarves or handkerchiefs, are not permitted on board. This also applies to FFP2 masks made of fabric. Variations may be possible due to national regulations or the requirements of a destination country.

SouthWest Airlines

Website: https://www.southwest.com/

Covid-19 Travel Guide: https://www.southwest.com/promise/

Covid-19 FAQs: https://www.southwest.com/promise/#accordion-faqs

Highlights:

The White House announced the masking order is not in effect, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will not enforce the federal mask mandate at this time.

As a result of this development, effective immediately, Southwest Employees and Customers will be able to choose whether they would like to wear a mask on flights, at domestic ​airports, and at some international locations.

If required to wear a mask rules are:

• Masks must fit snuggly under the chin, with no mesh fabrics.
• On the aircraft, if wearing oxygen masks is needed because of loss of cabin pressure or other event affecting aircraft ventilation, masks should be removed to accommodate oxygen masks. For more information on our mask policy, including attributes for acceptable masks, see the FAQ.
• If you forget your mask or bring one that’s deemed insufficient, a mask will be available for you.

Rules for Masks:

We are awaiting clarification for children who are flyign to destinations that still require them. Do check on that countries law in the meantime as it varies from country to country. eg Canada aged 2 and above, Italy aged 6 and above.

https://www.southwest.com/promise/#mask-faq

General mask wearing advice for the flight.

• Face masks should be replaced after being worn for 4 hours, if not advised otherwise by the face mask manufacturer, or when they become wet or soiled.
• Make sure you have enough face masks for all the family for the entire duration of their journey and allow for delays.

Where can I find child sized masks?

Below links may contain affiliate links.

• Amazon has child sized masks
• Also ask on local Facebook groups as many people are making child appealing pattens.
• This USA store has reusable and disposable child masks
• Etsy

What Were/Are The Airline Rules for Wearing a Face Mask on a Plane?

Airlines did and still do vary on their rules with masks which were/are enforced in different ways.

The Captain is in charge of the flight and it is he or she who ultimately has a say over who can travel, especially if they have any concerns for the flights operation and safety during flight.

The pilot in command stands in the role of the air carrier and can decide whether to remove a passenger from a flight for safety reasons. Before we delve deeper, I am by no means a legal professional. This information comes from my research and experience as an ex flight attendant who has had circumstances arise where the Captain has needed to refuse travel or authorise restraining a passenger etc, when there has been a real risk to either fellow passengers, crew or the aircraft. Every occurrence was unique.