Airlines Are Getting Tough on Face Masks

Major airlines are extending their face mask rules into the airport and getting tough on passengers who don’t comply.

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There is mounting evidence that face coverings are effective in slowing the spread of Covid-19. Amid this news, airlines and hotels are implementing tougher face mask policies. United Airlines and American Airlines have announced that both will extend their face mask rules into the airport. Major hotel chains will also require guests to wear masks in public areas. And in an appearance on Today, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said over 100 passengers have been banned for violating mask policies:

“If you board the plane and you insist [on not] wearing your mask, we will insist that you don’t fly Delta…”

No More Face Covering Exceptions

Right now, in this pandemic, I don’t feel safe when those around me are not wearing a mask. But in May, when the airline industry began requiring face coverings, I felt comfortable boarding a plane once again. In its release announcing new policies, American said their passengers and crew feel much the same way.

Most travelers complied with the new face mask policies when first introduced. But a few didn’t, and airlines mostly let them get away with it. But the turning point may have been the guy who claimed “sanity” as his reason for not wearing a mask. American Airlines has banned him for as long as their mask policy remains in place (Yay!).

Since then, airlines have been stricter with their policies while still allowing for exceptions.

Not anymore.

Three U.S. airlines (so far) have announced that everyone over 2 years old must wear a mask during flight, without exception. Check out the language from Southwest Airlines:

“If a Customer is unable to wear a face covering or mask for any reason, Southwest regrets that we will be unable to transport the individual. In those cases, we hope the Customer will allow us to welcome them onboard in the future, if public health guidance, or other safety-related circumstances, regarding face coverings changes.“

Southwest’s new policy takes effect on Monday, July 27th.

United, AA Will Require Face Masks Through the Airport

United and American are taking their rules even further. Both are introducing a “no exceptions” policy on face coverings, which applies to everyone aged 2 and up. Neither carrier will allow passengers to claim a medical condition. However, United asks passengers to speak with customer service if they believe “there are extraordinary circumstances that warrant an exception.”

Equally as interesting, is that both airlines will require their passengers to wear face coverings throughout the airport. AA says customers must wear masks “from the time they enter their departure airport … until they exit their arrival airport. ” I think this is long overdue, even if not entirely enforceable — at least not by the airline.

You see, many airports require face coverings already. Seattle-Tacoma (SEA), for example, has required everyone to wear masks since May 18th. Unfortunately, I saw no evidence that their policy was being enforced during my trips to Seattle in May and June. Since then, many cities have enacted mask ordinances; and those would normally apply to the airports within their jurisdictions. Hard to say if those rules are being applied.

The one thing airlines can do is enforce the rules in their own areas. They can ask customers to wear a mask at the gate, at check-in, and at baggage claim. And when passengers don’t comply, they have the power to prevent violators from flying now and in the future. The airline industry, more than most, needs its customers to feel safe. The vast majority of their customers feel safer when those around them wear a mask.

United’s new policy takes effect on Friday, July 24th. American’s policy goes into effect on Wednesday, July 29th.

Delta’s Brilliant Mask Exemption Policy

On July 20th, Delta started using a unique Clearance-to-Fly process. This is for customers who claim an underlying condition that would prevent them from wearing a mask.

First, Delta asks these passengers to reconsider their travel altogether. If that option is off the table, they will require them to get clearance to travel without a mask. The process takes about an hour to complete, so Delta asks those customers needing clearance to arrive early. The process includes a virtual check-up with a medical professional.

Delta warns that anyone falsely claiming a health condition to avoid wearing a mask could have their travel privileges suspended. 

Major Hotel Chains

Airlines aren’t the only ones getting tough on face masks. Just this week, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) released new guidelines for a safe stay. Above all else, the AHLA wants hotels to require face coverings in all public areas.

Hyatt and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) have already made the decision to require masks, effective Monday, July 27th. The policy applies to indoor public areas at all their properties in the U.S. and Canada. Following the AHLA’s recommendation, I expect new mask policies to become the norm.

Keep in mind that many hotels are independently owned and operated. Not all owners will have the same level of commitment to mask policies. So it won’t surprise me to find inconsistent enforcement.

Final Thoughts

Airlines are getting even tougher with their face mask policies; meanwhile, hotel chains are enacting their own rules. This is an encouraging trend, one that should only help make travel safer.

In a recent interview on CNBC, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly spoke in favor of mask requirements:

“I just don’t think that it should be only for air travel. Let’s mandate masks. I mean, you have to wear pants, why can’t we mandate that you have to wear a mask in a pandemic?”

Face coverings aren’t always comfortable. But until there’s a vaccine for Covid-19, masks seem to be our best option to limit the virus’s spread. I appreciate the travel industry’s efforts to keep its guests safe.