Masks on QF International Flights

Saw this article in SMH about QF lifting mask mandate on certain international flights where the destination doesn't require masks to be worn. Will be interesting to see how this plays out and how many people keep wearing them, and how many people stop wearing them even on flights when they are meant to be required.

Qantas to lift mask requirement on some international flights

Qantas says it will soon allow passengers to travel without masks on some international flights, even though face coverings remain compulsory on all domestic services.

www.smh.com.au

 

[ozflier]

For all I know QF have been following mask rules of destination countries (e.g. no mask from Australia to UK, US)

I'm flying there this week - will report !

 

[defurax]

I'm flying there this week - will report !

I'm flying to SIN on QF tomorrow. I'll report back.

 

[ferni]

For all I know QF have been following mask rules of destination countries (e.g. no mask from Australia to UK, US)

As I understand it QF require masks to US ex MEL, but not ex SYD/BNE

 

[celsioraus]

Thailand is now mask not required, wonder how this will be for QF23. I also notice the masks page for Qantas states categories flights domestic and flights arriving to australia but no mention of exiting.

 

[PuravidaTC]

As I understand it QF require masks to US ex MEL, but not ex SYD/BNE

This is not the case, flew to LAX on QF93 last week ex MEL and no mask required.. did however have to wear a mask on the flight back from LAX to MEL QF94.

In my opinion it's well beyond time to remove the QF mask mandate as beyond all the arguments for/against during flights there is so much time you don't wear it (eating, drinking etc.) that it's an absolutely ridiculous rule.

 

[milehighclub]

In my opinion it's well beyond time to remove the QF mask mandate as beyond all the arguments for/against during flights there is so much time you don't wear it (eating, drinking etc.) that it's an absolutely ridiculous rule.

Qantas follows the government of the country. It isn't a QF decision. The same would be said for every other airline.

 

[JohnK]

Thailand is now mask not required, wonder how this will be for QF23. I also notice the masks page for Qantas states categories flights domestic and flights arriving to australia but no mention of exiting.

Is that from today? Most were wearing masks on QF23 on Friday.

 

[milehighclub]

As of 29/8/22, QF has the following mask rules based on the country it is flying to

Country	Masks Required	Country	Masks Required
All domestic flights		PNG
Australia		Philippines
Canada		Samoa
Fiji		Singapore
India		South Africa
Indonesia		Thailand
Italy		Tonga
Japan		UK
NZ		US

Note:
QF9/10 on MEL/PER/MEL and QF5/6 SYD/PER/SYD, these flights require masks.
All flights to LAX, whilst the flight doesn't require masks, LA country does on arrival, so masks required in the terminal.

 

[PuravidaTC]

As of 29/8/22, QF has the following mask rules based on the country it is flying to

Country	Masks Required	Country	Masks Required
All domestic flights		PNG
Australia		Philippines
Canada		Samoa
Fiji		Singapore
India		South Africa
Indonesia		Thailand
Italy		Tonga
Japan		UK
NZ		US

Note:
QF9/10 on MEL/PER/MEL and QF5/6 SYD/PER/SYD, these flights require masks.
All flights to LAX, whilst the flight doesn't require masks, LA country does on arrival, so masks required in the terminal.

With regards to LAX, I was there twice over the last 2 weeks and about 80% of people were not wearing masks in terminal - I was also never asked to put on a mask either and was in both T4 and TBI. Nor did either of the lounges that I visited required them (AA Flagship and QF First).

As you state there were announcements made pretty regularly over the PA asking people to wear them but were simply being ignored by travellers and staff alike (including airport security).

 

[mviy]

If the crew didn’t enforce the mask mandate I wouldn’t wear one on any flight most of the flight. However QF does enforce it, some crew more than others. The mask mandate can’t go soon enough.

Though on a recent domestic flight I saw a crewmember, who clearly wasn’t eating or drinking, chatting to one of their colleagues with the mask lowered to not cover the face in the staff area at the back of the plane, so clearly some staff think the mask requirement is ridiculous.

 

[diamondhands]

As of 29/8/22, QF has the following mask rules based on the country it is flying to

Country	Masks Required	Country	Masks Required
All domestic flights		PNG
Australia		Philippines
Canada		Samoa
Fiji		Singapore
India		South Africa
Indonesia		Thailand
Italy		Tonga
Japan		UK
NZ		US

Note:
QF9/10 on MEL/PER/MEL and QF5/6 SYD/PER/SYD, these flights require masks.
All flights to LAX, whilst the flight doesn't require masks, LA country does on arrival, so masks required in the terminal.

Where did you get the Thailand confirmation from? I’ve googled and can’t see anything about the rule being dropped there.

I’m on QF23 next week so I hope you’re right!

 

[defurax]

I'm flying there this week - will report !

I'm flying to SIN on QF tomorrow. I'll report back.

So I just flew QF81 to SIN. No mask in flight. Oddly enough we were told to wear mask to disembark. I'd say 50% of people wear a mask in.the terminal.

 

[LadyC]

It's being reported that the mask mandate on domestic flights is being removed as of September 9. I assume this will also impact the Australian inbound international flights too.

 

[Lynda2475]

I flew:
* QF1 on 2nd Aug. Masks were required SYD-SIN but not SIN-LHR.
* QF8 on 29th Aug (aariving 31/8) and masks were required, but I took mine off to sleep and wasnt an issue in J.

It seems crazy as masks are not required in SYD airport; and under 12s are exempt and given the unwell person in J on QF8 today was a 4 year old who coughed constantly from DFW to SYD, keeping all awake (Im no doctor but sounded like a phlegmy whooping cough to me), his parents clearely lied on the declaration re having no symptoms, kid getting death stares from everyone, selfish parents should have rebooked flight, hopefully crew report these passengers and they end up banned for a bit, so inconsiderate.

I made sure the air con vents above me were open and on full blast, so I was getting HEPA filtered air (thankfully said kid was in last row and I was a few rows in front).

It's being reported that the mask mandate on domestic flights is being removed as of September 9. I assume this will also impact the Australian inbound international flights too.

Hopefully, its a big ask to wear a mask for 16 hours, for no real benefit.

 

[NM]

It's being reported that the mask mandate on domestic flights is being removed as of September 9. I assume this will also impact the Australian inbound international flights too.

I wonder what event is happenning on 8th September that suddenly makes it safe to travel on a domestic flight without wearing a mask, but but up until then, its not safe to do so? If it will be safe on 9th September, why is it unsafe on 2nd September? I know there needs to be a "line-in-the-sand", but why not make such changes effective immediately?

 

[SYD]

I wonder what event is happenning on 8th September that suddenly makes it safe to travel on a domestic flight without wearing a mask, but but up until then, its not safe to do so? If it will be safe on 9th September, why is it unsafe on 2nd September? I know there needs to be a "line-in-the-sand", but why not make such changes effective immediately?

Probably to provide a bit of time to allow some to defer their travel?

 

[GoldCanyon340]

It's being reported that the mask mandate on domestic flights is being removed as of September 9. I assume this will also impact the Australian inbound international flights too.

Should have happened months ago. And as others have said, not wearing a mask for food and beverage service (which for me is seatbelt sign off to seatbelt sign on), made a mockery of the rule anyway.

 

[mviy]

Nothing in the press release or press conference about inbound international flights.

I guess my next domestic flight won’t be at least until the 9th. Will be great to not wear a mask on domestic flights again.

 

[N860CR]

Nothing in the press release or press conference about inbound international flights.

I guess my next domestic flight won’t be at least until the 9th. Will be great to not wear a mask on domestic flights again.

Bandaid isn’t coming off in one go. The whole pandemic was caused by dirty, scary people from overseas, remember . It’ll be a little while longer before they let that one go.

 

[milehighclub]

Updated 10/9/22

Country	Masks Required	Country	Masks Required
All domestic flights		PNG
Australia		Philippines
Canada		Samoa
Fiji		Singapore
India		South Africa
Indonesia		Thailand
Italy		Tonga
Japan		UK
NZ		US

Masks required at airport:
Norfolk Island
Canada
China
Fiji - Masks required once in sterile area when departing/Until exiting arrival area for arrivals
India
Indonesia
NZ
PNG
Phillipines
Samoa
Thailand
Tonga
USA - Masks required in LA airport as per LA County order (although absolutely not enforced)
Vietnam