The trade association that represents major airlines in the U.S. is pushing to have passengers’ flying privileges revoked if they do not wear a mask.
In a statement Monday, Airlines for America announced the updated policies in an effort to protect passengers and crew while traveling domestically. Major airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines will be implementing the following face mask policies:
- 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.
United Airlines will be one of the first to implement suspension of flying privileges for noncompliance. The company said that beginning June 18, any passenger who does not wear a face covering while flying will be placed on a travel restriction list "for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review.”
Other major airlines have not yet announced consequences for violation of the new policies.
Most airlines require a face mask during travel but allow passengers to eat and drink. Small children, people who cannot put on a mask and those with a disability are typically exempted.
Current mask policies for major airlines can be found below.