Face Masks Might Soon Be REQUIRED on Major Airlines
If you're planning on traveling anytime soon you're probably going to want to make sure you pack a face mask or two for everyone traveling with you. Or you might not be able to get on your flights. You read that correctly if passengers choose to not wear a face mask they might soon be banned from flying with some major U.S. airlines.
The announcement was made Monday by the Airlines for America (A4A) organization that represents major U.S. airlines. It will be increasing its enforcement of face coverings in the following ways:
- Preflight Communication - Each airline will clearly state it's policy of face coverings, which might require passengers to show or wear their mask during the check-in policy.
- Onboard Announcements - On the aircraft, crew members will announce specific details regarding their face covering policy, and all consequences for not following the policy (similar to their smoking policy in place).
- Consequences for Noncompliance - Each carrier can set its own consequences for passengers in noncompliance with the face-covering policy up to and including suspension of flight privileges on that airline.
Airlines implementing this new policy include:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
As of now all of those companies have the following rules in place:
- All passengers are required to wear a face mask throughout the duration of their journey as stated on each airline's website.
- Travelers not feeling well are urged to stay home, wash your hands frequently, and wear a face-covering when at all possible.
Starting on Thursday (June 18th), United Airlines passengers who refuse to wear a mask or face covering could be placed on an "internal travel restriction list".
So if you plan on traveling anytime soon make sure you have a mask.