The regulation comes into force on February 1. From that date, passengers will be required to wear either a surgical mask or an FFP2 mask or mask with the KN95/N95 standard during boarding, the flight and when leaving the aircraft. Everyday masks are then no longer permitted.

As of 2026, Lufthansa does not require passengers to wear a mask on the vast majority of its flights, following the worldwide expiration of COVID-19 mandates in aviation. However, the airline continues to respect the personal choice of passengers and crew who wish to wear one for their own health and comfort. There is one major caveat: if you are flying to a destination where the local government still mandates masks (which is rare in 2026 but can happen during localized health alerts), Lufthansa is legally required to enforce those rules on that specific route. During the height of the pandemic, Lufthansa was known for its strict requirement of medical-grade masks (FFP2 or N95), and fabric masks were strictly prohibited. Today, while the "mandate" is gone, the airline's high-efficiency HEPA filters ensure that the cabin air is refreshed every few minutes, providing a high level of air quality that has made many travelers feel safe flying mask-free again.