Hawaiian Airlines Updates Face Mask Requirements for Travelers

Hawaiian Airlines this week announced it is updating its ‘Keeping You Safe’ initiative by enhancing face mask requirements and protocols during travel.

Hawaiian said it will start requiring all travelers over the age of two to wear a face mask while at the airport and on-board aircrafts, and the airline will no longer allow masks made with mesh or sheer material or equipped with exhaust vents or valves.   

The decision adheres to the most recent recommendations from the CDC, which says that face coverings with one-way valves or vents allow exhaled air to be expelled, and can potentially spread COVID-19.

The airline will also require that guests who are unable to wear a face mask due to medical reasons, undergo a personal medical assessment while at the airport to ensure they are healthy enough to fly and won’t jeopardize the health and safety of others.  Guests requesting an exemption should arrive at the airport early as the assessment may take up to one hour.

“We are adjusting and reinforcing our layered safety protocols to ensure we’re providing the highest level of comfort and protection for our employees and guests,” said Jeff Helfrick, Vice President of airport operations at Hawaiian Airlines.

“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation in keeping Hawaii a safe destination.”

Additionally, Hawaiian requires passengers to complete a health acknowledgment during the check-in process, asking passengers to provide assurance that they will adhere to the face mask policy, are not currently experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms, and that they have not had close contact with someone who tested positive or had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

The update comes as more and more passengers become more comfortable with flying. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Monday announced that on Sunday, Aug. 16, more than 800,000 passengers traveled through TSA checkpoints, the second week in a row that the Sunday number exceeded that milestone.

According to the TSA, 862,949 total passengers traveled through checkpoints on Sunday, up from 831,789 the week before, and 799,861 the week before that.

While the number is still substantially less than the same time in 2019 (2.58 million passengers), it does represent another week of a steady increase in numbers and a more than 900% increase over some of the lows that the TSA experienced in April (87,534 passengers on April 14).