Airline mask requirements: Check the policies for North American carriers



Slide 1 of 11: North American airlines are requiring passengers to wear face masks to aid in coronavirus prevention efforts. If you have to fly, scroll through to see the details from each airline.
Slide 2 of 11: Alaska Airlines: Masks have been mandatory since May 11 Who has to wear one? All guests over 12.  Young children and passengers with medical issues may be exempt. Where do you have to wear a mask? According to the airline's website,  you must wear them in the check-in lobby, Alaska Lounge, boarding gates, jetbridges, loading ramps/stairs, on the aircraft (except when consuming food or drink) and baggage claim. Do you need to bring your own mask? Yes; however, the airline will provide a mask to any passenger who needs one.
Slide 3 of 11: Allegiant Air: The Las Vegas-based budget carrier is making masks mandatory beginning July 2. Who has to wear a mask? All passengers aexcept children ages 2 and under and passengers with disabilities or documented medical conditions, Allegiant's website said.  Where do you have to wear a mask? According to a release from Allegiant, "customers will be required to wear face masks during all phases of travel, including at the ticket counter, in the gate area, during boarding, on the aircraft and during the flight." Do you need to bring your own mask? No. Customers can use either their own face mask or covering, or take advantage of the mask provided in Allegiant's health and safety kit.
Slide 4 of 11: American Airlines: The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier now requires masks. It enforces this policy at the gate and will deny boarding to customers who don’t comply. Passengers who refuse to wear one may also be denied boarding on future flights, as well. Who has to wear a mask? All passengers except for very young children or anyone with a condition that prevents them from wearing one. Where do you have to wear a mask? While on the aircraft, except when eating or drinking. Passengers may also be required by local law to wear one in the airport where their trips begin, where it ends or while making connections. Do you need to bring your own mask? Yes, for the time being. Passengers should bring their own masks until the airline can begin providing them, said Kurt Stache, American's senior vice president of customer experience.

Slide 5 of 11: Delta Air Lines: The Atlanta-based carrier began requiring passengers to wear masks on May 4.  Who has to wear a mask? All passengers except people unable to keep a face covering in place, including children.  Where do you have to wear a mask? Customers must don masks beginning at the "check-in lobby and across Delta touchpoints including Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges and on board the aircraft for the duration of the flight except during meal service," according to the airline's travel advisory page. Do you need to bring your own mask? Yes, although Delta will provide masks to any passenger who needs one.
Slide 6 of 11: Frontier Airlines: The airline has required passengers to wear masks since May 8. Who has to wear one? The airline's website does not list any exemptions. Where do you have to wear a mask? They need to be worn at ticket counters, gate areas and while onboard. Do you need to bring your own mask? Yes. The airline even provides tips on how to easily make one.
Slide 7 of 11: JetBlue: The New York-based carrier has required face coverings (including scarves, bandanas or other forms of face protection) for passengers since May 4. Who has to wear a mask? All passengers except "young children who are not able to maintain a face covering on their own," the airline's website says. Where do you have to wear a mask? During check-in, boarding, in flight and deplaning, according to its travel alerts page.  Do you need to bring your own mask? Yes.
Slide 8 of 11: Spirit Airlines: The budget carrier, based in Miramar, Florida, began requiring face coverings as of May 11. Who has to wear a mask? Anyone older than 2 years of age. "Children aged 2 and under, as well as children who cannot maintain a face covering, will be exempt," its website notes. Where do you have to wear a mask? They are to be worn "both at the airport and throughout the flight," the press release announcing the policy said. Do you have to bring your own mask? Yes, but those who show up without one can purchase a mask for $3.
Slide 9 of 11: Southwest Airlines: The Dallas-based airline began requiring passengers to wear masks on May 11. Who has to wear a mask? Anyone who plans to board the plane, though young children and people with medical problems such as breathing difficulties may be exempted. Where do you have to wear a mask? During all phases of the travel experience, according to Southwest's website, "including checking in, boarding, inflight, deplaning, retrieving baggage; and any other time they may engage with a Southwest employee or another customer." Do you have to bring your own mask? Yes, though Southwest said it will provide a mask to anyone who needs one.

Slide 10 of 11: United Airlines: The airline, which began requiring passengers to wear masks on May 4, later strengthened its policy in mid-June. Now, according to a press release, "any passenger that does not comply when onboard a United flight will be placed on an internal travel restriction list. Customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review." Who has to wear one? All passengers except small children and individuals who have a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering. Where do you have to wear a mask?  On the aircraft, except when eating or drinking or in the event the cabin becomes depressurized. Elsewhere during travel, United advises customers follow local guidelines. Do you have to bring your own mask? Yes, though United said it will provide a mask to anyone who needs one.
Slide 11 of 11: Air Canada: The Montreal-based carrier has been requiring passengers to don face coverings since April 20 in accordance with an order by that country's transport minister. Who has to wear a mask? "Customers on all itineraries" are required to wear them, the Air Canada policy says.  "This requirement will apply to customers at various points in Canadian airports, during the boarding process and during flight as may be directed by Air Canada staff where social distancing is not possible." Where do you have to wear a mask? At "check-in, at time of boarding, and upon entering the aircraft where social distancing is not possible," the Air Canada website says. "Customers will be asked to lower their masks to facilitate full ID checks as required by Canadian regulations at check-in. While on board, customers are further required to wear their face covering at all times except to eat and drink or, in case of an inflight emergency should the oxygen masks be deployed, or when, in the judgement of the crew, appropriate physical distancing can be maintained." Do you have to bring your own mask? Yes. "Customers must bring their own face coverings which will be verified prior to boarding all Air Canada flights and prior to security screening at Canadian airports," the carrier said. It expressly said it will not provide them.
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