Here’s what travelers need to know about airlines ditching face mask rules

It appears that the airlines face mask requirement will not extend for another two weeks. United, American, Southwest, Delta, Alaska, and other airlines announced that they would no longer compel passengers to wear face masks. It is due to a federal judge’s order in Florida and the White House response.

The mask mandate, which went into effect in January 2021, was going to expire on Monday. However, the CDC announced last week that it would extend the ban until May 3. It was to give researchers more time to analyze the BA.2 omicron subvariant of the coronavirus. Currently, it is responsible for the bulk of cases in the country. Airlines and other travel sector authorities put in persistent efforts to loosen restrictions. But still, the mask rule was extended for the fifth time.

Passengers boarding flights late Monday are doing so without masks for the first time in nearly two years, according to a court decision that accelerated the timeframe, barring any objections. Airlines were the first to require masks before the government, with JetBlue Airways being the first to do so. Other airlines quickly adopted the airline’s policy.

Fast forward two years, and airlines, which are pressing for the rule to rip off, are hurrying to do so.

Is it necessary to wear masks on airplanes?

As of Monday, April 18, a look at updated face mask policies for each airline. Airline policies differ and are subject to change. As US airlines amend their restrictions, this list will update.

American Airlines

At US airports and on domestic flights, customers and employees will no longer require to wear face masks.

“Please note face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements,” the airline said in a statement.  “In keeping with our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us, customers and team members may choose to continue to wear masks at their own discretion.”

Delta Air Lines

Masks are now optional for travelers within U.S. airports and onboard planes, effective immediately. If passengers, employees, and customers wish to wear masks, they may do so.

“Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees, and federal agency employees – such as TSA – may be receiving this information at different times,” Delta said in a statement. “You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated – remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required. Communications to customers and in-airport signage and announcements will be updated to share that masking is now optional – this may take a short period of time.”

United Airlines

Masks are no longer a necessity on domestic flights, select foreign flights (depending on the arriving country’s mask restrictions). Also, they are not necessary at US airports as well. It is effective immediately.

“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 says in a statement. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation in the event of changes.”

Southwest Airlines

Effective immediately, passengers and employees will be able to choose whether or not to wear a mask.

“We understand there are a number of opinions on this topic, and we ask that you respect and support the individual decisions made by others – that is how we will show hospitality and make customers and cohearts (Southwest employees) feel welcomed, cared for, and appreciated,” Steve Goldberg, Southwest’s senior vice president of operations and hospitality said in a memo to employees late Monday.

“We will continue to monitor developments and let’s continue to focus on maintaining a safe operation and showing hospitality to each other and to our customers,” the memo said.

Alaska Airlines

Effective immediately, masks are optional in U.S. airports and onboard flights.

“While the Transportation Security Administration, TSA, is no longer enforcing its mask mandate, it may take time for individual airports to roll back their mask requirements,” the airline says in a statement.  “Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend guests defer to local port guidance when traveling, including wearing a mask if directed to do so. Guests must also continue to wear masks on flights both to and from Canada.”

JetBlue Airways

Masks are no longer a requirement in airport terminals or on flights. Employees will no longer issue announcements enforcing the mask requirement.

“Customers of course remain free to wear them if they choose,” the airline said in a memo to employees.

“This sudden end to the mask mandate may be confusing for some customers,” the memo said. “Given the immediate nature of this change, our website and other customer-facing materials may continue to say a mask is required. We will begin removing these notices, and will also need be prepared to reinstate them if necessary.”

Frontier Airlines

Passengers and employees are no longer under obligation to wear masks on Frontier flights, effective immediately. The rules of the countries of arrival and departure still govern mask requirements for international travel.

“Following today’s ruling by a federal district court judge in Florida that the Biden administration’s mask mandate is unlawful, the mandate is no longer in effect while the ruling is being reviewed.”

“Please note that individual airports and municipalities may still require masks so customers and team members should continue to abide by mask rules within any facility that may require it,” the airline says in a statement.

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