As the result of a federal judge ruling that the federal mask mandate for modes of public transportation in the United States was unlawful — citing that it exceeded the authority of health officials in the United States during the current 2019 Novel coronavirus pandemic — earlier today, Monday, April 18, 2022, official announcements have been issued from several airlines which inform that masks are no longer required to be worn by passengers and members of flight crews while aboard their airplanes.
These Airlines No Longer Require Masks Worn Aboard Their Airplanes
Although no new statement has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with regard to the requirement to wear masks or cloth coverings for the nose and mouth in public transportation facilities and conveyances at the time this article was written, this official statement was issued earlier today from the Transportation Security Administration of the United States: “Due to today’s court ruling, effective immediately, TSA will no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. TSA will also rescind the new Security Directives that were scheduled to take effect tomorrow. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.”
Although passengers must continue to wear masks on flights both to and from Canada, “Face masks have been like boarding passes for nearly two years — you couldn’t fly without one. But, as of today, masks are optional in airports and onboard aircraft, effective immediately”, according to this official announcement from Alaska Airlines. “Due to a judicial decision in our federal court system, the mask mandate has been overturned, which means our guests and employees have the option to wear a mask while traveling in the U.S. and at work.”
American Airlines released the following official announcement: “American Airlines has prioritized the health and safety of its team members and customers throughout the pandemic and has supported the federal government’s measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. 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. In keeping with our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us, customers and team members may choose to continue to wear masks at their own discretion.”
In addition to American Airlines, three other airlines also issued similar announcements.
“Following the ruling of a U.S. district court judge on Monday, April 18, the Biden Administration announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will no longer enforce the federal mandate requiring masks in all U.S. airports and on board aircraft. 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”, according to this official announcement from Delta Air Lines. “Delta employees and customers may continue wearing masks if they so choose. Wearing a well-fitting mask protects the wearer, even if others around them are not wearing masks.”
“In line with Monday’s federal court ruling and the Transportation Security Administration’s guidance, mask wearing will now be optional on JetBlue. While no longer required, customers and crewmembers are welcome to continue wearing masks in our terminals and on board our aircraft”, according to this official announcement which was issued by JetBlue Airways. “Regardless of the U.S. rule change, customers and crewmembers who are traveling internationally should always have a mask with them in case they continue to be required at their destination.”
As a result of the aforementioned development, Southwest Airlines released the following official statement: “…effectively immediately, Southwest Employees and Customers will be able to choose whether they would like to wear a mask, and we encourage individuals to make the best decision to support their personal wellbeing. Additionally, Southwest will continue supporting the comfort of those who travel with us by offering additional layers of protection, including sophisticated cabin air ventilation systems onboard our aircraft which incorporate HEPA air filtration that removes at least 99.97% of airborne particles.”
United Airlines also issued a similar announcement via this message at its official Twitter account: “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… the choice is yours (you look dino-mite either way)!”
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… the choice is yours (you look dino-mite either way)! pic.twitter.com/hwq678v55d
— United Airlines (@united) April 18, 2022
At the time this article was written, neither Allegiant Air nor Frontier Airlines nor Spirit Airlines nor Sun Country Airlines have announced intentions to eliminate the mandate for passengers and members of flight crews to wear either masks or cloth coverings for mouths and noses while aboard their airplanes — nor have any official announcements been released from airports in the United States.
Final Boarding Call
It’s about time this has happened, in my opinion. This is literally a breath of fresh air…
…and I will also bet that the number of incidents which have been occurring aboard airplanes over the past couple of years will also diminish.
“Local mask mandates in other countries may still be in effect. Additional updates will be provided as new information becomes available”, according to the aforementioned announcement from Delta Air Lines. “Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees and federal agency employees – such as TSA – may be receiving this information at different times. You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated – remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required. Communications to customers and in-airport signage and announcements will be updated to share that masking is now optional – this may take a short period of time.”
That is good advice to consider when traveling over the next day or so.
Although this article pertains only to airlines which are based in the United States, other airlines which are based outside of the United States — such as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines as one example — have already declared that masks and cloth coverings for the mouth and nose are optional and no longer required.
Now if only the virtually useless testing requirements would be dropped as well — and as soon as possible…
All photographs ©2007, ©2013, ©2015, ©2018, and ©2020 by Brian Cohen.
