While face masks are optional on some Aer Lingus flights into Ireland, rest assured that the airline continues to operate strict safety measures on its flights, including maintaining an enhanced cleaning protocol, as well as outfitting all planes with a state-of-the-art air filtration system.
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In 2020, the airline first announced the health measures and says it will continue to keep those in place for the foreseeable future.
Earlier in 2022, the Irish government made the announcement that the wearing of face masks inflight was not required. However, if your departure or destination country still requires face masks to be worn on public transportation, you will still need to wear them on board your flight.
The wearing of face masks is optional on domestic flights within Ireland and on travel between Ireland and the U.K., Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, as well on transatlantic flights between Ireland and the U.S.
Masks are still required and mandatory between Ireland and Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey, as well as on transatlantic flights between Ireland and Canada.
If you are flying between Ireland and Austria or between Ireland and Italy, you will be required to wear a medical-grade FFP2 face mask.
Young children who are not able to wear a face mask continuously will not be required to do so.
Plan and Book a Flight to Ireland with Aer Lingus
The cleaning of Aer Lingus planes, including hard surfaces such as tray tables, armrests, and windows, is being done on a daily basis using a hospital-grade disinfectant.
Despite what you may believe about the health hazards associated with spending several hours cooped up in a plane with others, Aer Lingus has assured its passengers that the air filtration system that is part of its Airbus fleet is equal to that used in hospital operating rooms.
“Ninety-nine percent of airborne particles such as viruses and bacteria are removed by this air filtering technology and cabin air is fully replaced every three minutes,” a recent Aer Lingus press release noted.
Read More: Traveling to Ireland in 2022: 4 Things to Keep in Mind
While it is no longer mandatory to wear a face mask in Irish airports, the authorities at Dublin Airport are urging people to still wear them to help stop the spread of Covid variants. Dublin is the busiest airport in Ireland.
At all Irish airports, expect to see protective screens and hand hygiene stations. At the boarding gate, you can scan your own boarding pass if you wish and then show your ID to the Aer Lingus staff, making the process contactless.
Contactless payment for inflight purchases is also available.