Airlines and Airports Drop Mask Requirements After Court Ruling
Major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta and United, got rid of the mask requirements on Monday after a federal judge struck down the transportation mask mandate.
U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Florida ruled the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s travel mask mandate was unlawful. After that, the White House said the CDC’s public transportation mask order was no longer in effect. It said the Transportation Security Administration would not enforce the rule on public transport and transportation hubs while the ruling is reviewed.
Following the judge’s ruling, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Spirit and Frontier have all relaxed their mask policies for passengers. Several airports such as Raleigh-Durham, Miami and Portland have also confirmed that they will no longer enforce mask requirements.
The mask mandate was enacted in February 2021 and most recently extended for only two weeks (instead of the usual 30 days) through May 3. Airlines had their own requirements in place for almost two years, even before the federal mandate was put in place.
Alaska Airlines
As of today, masks are optional in airports and onboard aircraft, effective immediately. Guests must continue to wear masks on flights both to and from Canada. Masks must still be worn in airports within Canada and Mexico. See announcement here.
American Airlines
In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate, face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights. Please note face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements. See announcement here.
Delta Air Lines
Effective immediately, masks are optional for all airport employees, crew members and customers inside U.S. airports and on board all aircraft domestically, as well as on most international flights. Local mask mandates in other countries may still be in effect. Additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available. See announcement here.
Frontier Airlines
Masks are now optional on domestic flights, however, certain airports or countries may still require masks, so check the policy at your destination prior to departure and we’ll see you in the sky. See announcement here.
JetBlue
In line with Monday’s federal court ruling and the TSA’s guidance, mask wearing will now be optional on JetBlue within the U.S. While no longer required, customers and crewmembers may continue wearing masks in our terminals and on board our aircraft. See announcement here.
Southwest Airlines
Effective immediately, Southwest Employees and Customers will be able to choose whether they would like to wear a mask on flights, at domestic airports, and at some international locations. We encourage individuals to make the best decision to support their personal wellbeing. See announcement here.
United Airlines
Masks are no longer required on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country’s requirements) or at U.S. airports. More comfortable keeping yours on? Go right ahead. See announcement here.
