Don’t want to wear a mask on a flight? These airlines could suspend you.
One airline will place violators on an "internal travel restriction list."
Passengers on major U.S. airlines could have their flying privileges revoked if they don’t wear face coverings while on a flight, Airlines for America announced Monday.
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Airlines for America, the industry trade organization representing Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest, and United Airlines, announced that its members will now be “vigorously enforcing face covering policies” for the protection of employees and customers during the coronavirus pandemic.
The CDC recommends wearing face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are hard to maintain in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. Major U.S. airlines have had face covering policies in place since May. But Reuters reported last month that, while some airlines were denying boarding to passengers without face coverings, enforcement in the sky was more difficult.
“U.S. airlines are very serious about requiring face coverings on their flights,” said Nicholas E. Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America, in a press release. “Carriers are stepping up enforcement of face coverings and implementing substantial consequences for those who do not comply with the rules.”
The airlines will do the following, according to Airlines for America:
- Preflight communications: Each airline will clearly articulate its individual face covering policy in communications with customers, which may require passengers to acknowledge the specific rules during the check-in process.
- Onboard announcements: Onboard the aircraft, crew members will announce specific details regarding the carrier’s face covering policy, including the consequences passengers could face for violating the policy.
- Consequences for noncompliance: Each carrier will determine the appropriate consequences for passengers who are found to be in noncompliance of the airline’s face covering policy up to and including suspension of flying privileges on that airline.
Some airlines have posted details about the consequences customers will now face when disregarding the policy. For example, beginning June 16, American may deny future travel to passengers in violation, according to a company press release.
Beginning June 18, United customers who disregard the policy after reminders from flight attendants will be placed on an “internal travel restriction list,” according to a company press release.
“Customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review,” the company wrote.
The airlines noted that young children and those with a disability or medical reason are exempt from the requirement, and it does not apply when passengers are eating or drinking.
The updated policy is expected to remain in place throughout the public health crisis, according to Airlines for America.
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