Update 4/30/20: United Airlines confirmed plans to mandate face coverings as well. This post has been updated to reflect this update.
Without any specific requirements from the federal government, U.S.-based airlines are developing their own policies to help keep employees and passengers safe, limiting the potential for exposure to coronavirus throughout their journeys.
Earlier this week, JetBlue announced a new requirement for passengers to wear face masks beginning on May 4. Now American Airlines, Delta, Frontier and United have joined the fight with similar policies of their own.
American
Beginning May 11, all passengers will be required to wear a face covering onboard all American Airlines flights.The carrier had already said it would require all flight attendants to wear masks as of May 1. The airline will begin issuing sanitizing wipes and masks to travelers beginning May 1 as well — those amenities should be available across American’s network within the next few weeks.
Delta
Delta customers will be required to wear a face covering or mask beginning on May 4, the same date JetBlue’s policy goes into effect. Similarly, all Delta employees and contractors are required to wear face masks when they can’t maintain a separation of at least six feet. According to the airline, “Face coverings will be required starting in the check-in lobby and across Delta touchpoints including Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges and on board the aircraft for the duration of the flight – except during meal service.” Face masks will be available upon request at ticket counters, gates and onboard flights.
Frontier
Frontier customers will be required to wear masks onboard all flights beginning May 8, as an expansion of the carrier’s policy for flight crews, which went into effect on April 13. Unlike with American and Delta, Frontier won’t be making face masks available to customers — they’ll need to bring their own.
United
Following similar announcements from American, Delta, Frontier and JetBlue, United confirmed its face covering requirement on Thursday evening. Beginning May 4, all passengers must cover their faces, and the airline will provide masks to travelers free of charge. Additionally, face coverings will be mandatory for all United employees onboard an aircraft, joining a previous requirement for flight attendants, which went into effect on Apr. 24.
Bottom line
In addition to blocked seats and enhanced cleaning measures, mandatory face masks should offer an important layer of protection for travelers and airline staff. Still, with stay-at-home orders in place in many U.S. states, individuals should only travel if necessary. If you do need to fly, be sure to check out our detailed guide for more on what to expect during booking, at the airport and onboard.
The moves drew the support of Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, who has been asking the government to intervene and make masks mandatory.
“We’re happy to see airlines taking action to require masks or face coverings for passengers, crew and other frontline employees,” Nelson said in a statement that acknowledge the latest airline updates. “We continue to call on the federal government — whether it be DOT, FAA, HHS, CDC — to require masks for crew, frontline employees and all passengers.”
Featured photo by GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images.
