These Airlines Drop COVID Mask Mandates, Leave It Up To Passengers
ACROSS AMERICA — Most of the nation’s major airlines made masks optional for their passengers and employees Tuesday after a federal judge struck down the mask mandate for planes, trains and other public transportation.
That means that for the first time since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, airline passengers and employees won’t have to wear protective face coverings — a source of a wave of disputes that accounted for more nearly two-thirds of 1,150 “unruly passenger incidents” so far this year, according to Federal Aviation Administration data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask mandate had been in effect since January 2021, and airlines have had their own policies in place since the early days of the pandemic.
On Monday, in response to Florida federal Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle’s 59-page decision striking down the travel mask mandate, the CDC said the order “is no longer in effect” and would no longer be enforced. “However,” the agency said on its website, “CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.”
Airlines from American to United made masks optional on domestic flights:
Alaska Airlines said masks are no longer required on domestic flights but will be required on those to Canada and Mexico. The airline also said unruly passengers “whose behavior was particularly egregious” remain banned from its flights.
“It has been a long 24 months with nearly constant change. I could not be prouder of our frontline employees who have handled every pivot focusing on safety and the care we’re known for,” Max Tidwell, the airline’s vice president of safety and security, said in a statement. “We’re also thankful for our guests who remained considerate, patient and stood by us throughout every twist and turn.”
Allegiant Air "recommends all the customers to wear face coverings," but does not require masks, according to the airline's website.
American Airlines said in a statement that while it will no longer require masks at airports and on domestic flights, its customers and employees may choose to wear them “at their discretion.”
American said it had “prioritized the health and safety” of employees and passengers throughout pandemic, and that it was “deeply grateful to our team members for their enforcement of the mandate.”
Avelo Airlines said Tuesday that after the CDC reversed its guidance, masks are no longer required for passengers and employees. "If you'd feel more comfortable still wearing yours," the airline tweeted, "go right ahead!"
Breeze said in a statement it's no longer requiring masks of employees or passengers, but reminded customers, "Please be kind and respectful of individual choices, and remember that wearing a mask while flying on Breeze is still an option."
Delta Air Lines said it would make masks optional, too.
“We are relieved to see the U.S. mask mandate lift to facilitate global travel as COVID-19 transitions to a more manageable respiratory virus — with better treatments, vaccines and other scientific measures to prevent serious illness,” the airline said in a statement. “Thank you for your support in complying with the federal mask mandate and keeping each other safe during the pandemic.”
Frontier Airlines also made masks optional on domestic flights.
“To mask or not to mask, the choice is yours. Masks are now optional on domestic flights,” the airline tweeted, adding, “however, certain airports or countries may still require masks, so check the policy at your destination prior to departure and we'll see you in the sky."
JetBlue Airways said its customers and staff “are welcome to continue wearing masks in our terminals and on board our aircraft.”
“Regardless of the U.S. rule change, customers and crewmembers who are traveling internationally should always have a mask with them in case they continue to be required at their destination,” the airline said in a statement.
Hawaiian Airlines said in a tweet that, effective immediately, face masks are optional for passengers and employees.
Southwest Airlines said in a statement its employees and customers “will be able to choose” whether to wear a mask.
“We encourage individuals to make the best decision to support their personal wellbeing,” the airline said. “Additionally, Southwest will continue supporting the comfort of those who travel with us by offering additional layers of protection, including sophisticated cabin air ventilation systems onboard our aircraft which incorporate HEPA air filtration that removes at least 99.97% of airborne particles.”
United Airlines said on Twitter that while masks are no longer required on domestic flights, passengers will still have to mask up on flights to countries still requiring protective face coverings.
“More comfortable keeping yours on?” the airline tweeted. "Go right ahead … the choice is yours (you look dino-mite either way)!
“While this means that our employees are no longer required to wear a mask — and no longer have to enforce a mask requirement for most of the flying public — they will be able to wear masks if they choose to do so, as the CDC continues to strongly recommend wearing a mask on public transit,” the airline said in a statement.
Spirit Airlines announced a mask-optional policy as well.
“We understand some guests may want to continue wearing face coverings on flights, and that’s perfectly fine under our optional policy,” the airline tweeted. “For our guests traveling internationally, please remember to check country-specific airport requirements before traveling.”
Sun Country Airlines tweeted Tuesday that masks are optional for passengers and employees, and also encouraged "kindness & respect for those who continue to mask."
This article originally appeared on the Across America Patch
