Major U.S. Airlines Announce Increased Enforcement of Face Coverings
According to Airlines for America, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have collectively agreed to implement the following policy updates regarding face coverings:
- 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.
For example, United Airlines announced that as of June 18, it would place passengers who do not comply on an "internal travel restriction list" and that they would not be allowed to fly on United "for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review." Prior to such action being taken, flight attendants will notify passengers of the requirement and provide them with a mask.
