We clarify the dos and don’ts of wearing face masks at 35,000 feet, British Airways customers continue to have access to 600 airport lounges around the world, plus an Executive Club treat from The Spectator

Face masks: an important update
If you’re travelling with British Airways, you’re required to wear a face mask throughout your journey to ensure the wellbeing of your fellow travellers and British Airways colleagues. As a guide, one face mask should last up to four hours, so make sure you bring enough for the duration of your trip. Here’s what else you need to know:

• If you meet the UK government’s exemption requirements you may be asked by British Airways colleagues about your exemption and could be asked to present supporting documentation.

• You will be asked to remove your face mask for any passport checks, but you’ll be advised when to do so by British Airways colleagues.

• Once on board, you’ll be allowed to remove your face mask for a reasonable time so that you can eat or drink. However, when you’re not consuming food or drink, your face mask must cover your nose and mouth.

• You should ensure that you check individual entry requirements and rules on face coverings at your arrival destination, as this may vary by country.

The safest possible environment
The British Airways lounges are a restful oasis designed for the airline’s most loyal customers, but they aren’t the same as before.

• There is a dedicated team who will be cleaning and disinfecting each seat, and the surrounding area, after every use. 

• Hand sanitiser stations are available across the lounges.

• New digital advancements in food ordering and lounge entry help reduce the need for any physical contact. 

• You are required to wear a face mask, covering both nose and mouth, when not consuming food or drink. You can remove your face mask for a reasonable time to enable you to eat or drink.

What to expect on board
On your next flight, personal protection packs will be given to every customer, plus new packaging and individual wrapping will be introduced to your on-board meals. Like in the lounges, you’re allowed to remove your face mask for a reasonable time to enable you to eat or drink. However, when you’re not consuming food or drink, your face mask must be placed back on must cover your nose and mouth at all times.

To get clued up ahead of your next flight, click here

Minimising contact at the airport and beyond

• You can minimise contact at the airport by using the British Airways app to download up to eight boarding passes on one device.

• When you enter the terminal, safe distance markers will help guide you through the airport.

• A redesign of the lounges (pictured above) includes the introduction of an innovative food and drink ordering platform.

• When it comes to boarding, you will board the plane from the rear, in order of row number. Customers flying in First will board first, front row to back, before the rest of the plane safely embark from the rear to the front.   

• Once on board, our cabin crew will advise you on the latest safety measures so please listen carefully to the on-board announcements.

The Spectator joins the British Airways Executive Club family
It’s a good news day for the news fans, as the world’s oldest weekly magazine, The Spectator, now offers Avios in return for digital and print subscriptions. The publication, which has been in circulation since 1828, is known for its sharp political writing, pacey coverage of current affairs, and the satirical cartoons that grace its cover.

Now, The Spectator is offering Executive Club Members up to 12,500 Avios for subscribing. Members have the option of taking out a six-month subscription (5,000 Avios for digital only, 6,250 Avios for print and digital), or an annual subscription (10,000 for digital only, 12,500 Avios for print and digital). For full terms and conditions, click here

No print? No problem
Magazine enthusiasts may have noticed print magazines have been removed from the lounges and on board, which is why it’s time to download PressReader. For Members who love nothing more than getting stuck into some reading material whilst on their travels, simply download PressReader for free before flying, browse and store all the titles that catch your eye (there’s no limit) and unlock access to more than 7,000 digital newspapers and magazines, including GQ, Forbes and more. 

Did you know: High Life has a new home? The trusted travel voices from British Airways’ in-flight magazine can now be found online at bahighlife.com, where this month BBC presenter and wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan penned this thoughtful piece on travelling with a disability.

Rest easy in the lounges
If you’re a Silver Member or above, you’ll be acquainted with the joys (delicious food, bottomless drinks, free Wi-Fi, maybe a spa treatment or two?) of a pre-flight departure lounge. Now, thanks to a new partnership between Lounge Pass and British Airways, all customers flying with British Airways can buy themselves lounge access to any one of 600 non-BA lounges, no matter what airline they are flying with or which cabin they are travelling. Customers who pay for the lounge access will be able to choose from 600 lounges in more than 350 airports worldwide, including more than 45 here in the UK. Pre-booking is available up to 15 months in advance from £13.50 per person.

British Airways Executive Club Members who wish to purchase lounge access will collect 5 Avios per £1 spent.

Have an opinion on The Club that you’d like to share? Let us know

This article has been tagged BA, Wellbeing