Flying into Heathrow

Welcome back to Europe, Frank! Glad the airport experience went smoothly.

As to your last point — yes, I have read a piece or two from disability/immunocompromised advocates attesting to how the burden to “police” wearing masks on public transport basically falls to them since most people don’t respect the rules. In turn,it seems that they have to avoid public transport altogether. A definitely depressing factoid.

Enjoy your London day !!

Can I drop off my family/friend to the airport for their departing flight? ... All arrivals into the UK from a red list country are required to book the UK

The sad part was that even though passengers are required to wear
masks on the Undergound, only about 1 out of every 4 passengers was
wearing a mask. I wore mine.

It seems like much of the world has decided "You wear your mask to protect me, and I wear my mask to protect you" is passé. So, I've started going with a KN-95 mask in non-crowded places (e.g., grocery store) and a medical-grade N-95 in tight spots (e.g., plane when awake -- had to go KN-95 when asleep because the N-95 was a little too tight for comfortable sleep).

Glad the process went fast. I’ve waited as long as 45 minutes just to get off the plane to get onto the bus to Terminal 5. In 2019 I had an issue at the e-Gate with my passport too, but think it was because I didn’t take off my glasses. Have a good rest of your trip and thank for the update.

Masking — specifically the lack thereof and noses protruding — is the most annoying part of travel in Europe. Luckily vaxx rates are higher here than in the US. No one wants to be the mask police so the maskholes get by with what they want to do.

Still is is grand to be here and happy for you that all went smoothly for your arrival. Let the fun begin!

Thanks so much for the update Frank. I was unaware of the Verify app but I will certainly get it. We are so looking forward to our first trip to Italy next spring. We haven’t booked our flights yet, but most of the flights we’ve checked out fly into Heathrow. I really appreciate you sharing your experience. Enjoy your travels!

Mask wearing in England is unfortunately rapidly on the wane, hence the infection rates remain high. It’s noticeable in Scotland and Wales that mask wearing rules are adhered to more stringently.

I flew from Gatwick to Spain on Monday. EasyJet checked that everyone was double vaccinated and had the relevant Spanish health documents for entry before being allowed on the flight. Several reminders during the flight were made to remind passengers that the mask must cover nose and mouth at all times other than when eating and drinking. They should take the names of persistent offenders and ban them from travelling if people can’t obey the rules!

Enjoy your trip.

Sadly, the nose protruding is not limited to the London Tube. I saw the same behavior yesterday on the NYC subway when riding the 1 train uptown from 80th to 168. The disregard for the health of other is one of the saddest parts of this pandemic. That so very many people are all about their freedom and that their freedom can mean someone else's death seems not to matter. I mourn for our world.

Frank, thanks for your detailed report. Glad that all went smoothly upon your arrival.
I hope you have a great trip.

"The sad part was that even though passengers are required to wear
masks on the Undergound, only about 1 out of every 4 passengers was
wearing a mask. I wore mine."

What are people thinking?? Such a small act to keep everyone safe, and they can't even do that.
I wear my N95 mask whenever I leave my house. And will do so next spring when I'm on the plane, and in London
on the tube and everywhere else. (And no nose protruding, either.)

Out and about in London, very few people wearing masks even indoors. I learned the rules are not enforceable so people don't care.

Mask wearing is optional depending on the business. They make their own rules.

We have changed flights more than once through airports like Heathrow or CDG. It is irritating when I go on Kayak or Delta and even after a search asking for a two hour minimum layover, I get flights with a little over an hour, which is ridiculous.

It is very unlikely you will see many wearing masks outdoors - that has never been the rule, suggestion or law here in the UK. Not even in the darkest days.