More Airlines Will Require Passengers to Wear Facemasks, Joining JetBlue

Most major U.S. airline carriers will now require passengers to wear a face mask, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at airports and on airplanes.

Alaska Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Delta, American and United join JetBlue in requiring passengers to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth.  Jet Blue became the first major airline to announce this change earlier this week.

Most airlines have already made face masks obligatory for all cabin crew.

Delta and United’s new policies will go into effect on May 4, while Frontier’s will begin on May 8 and Alaska Airlines and American’s on May 11. 

“We want our passengers to feel comfortable when flying with us by protecting themselves and their fellow travelers as we all navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Barry Biffle, CEO of Frontier Airlines. “This new measure is aligned with CDC recommendations and those of many municipalities within the U.S. that include wearing a face covering when out in public.”

Frontier is also blocking every other row and has implemented a program that requires passengers to accept a “health acknowledgment” before checking in, to certify that they have not been exposed to Covid-19, that they do not have a temperature, and will wash their hands/sanitize before boarding the flight.