JetBlue Just Became The First US Airline To Require Face Masks
As the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc in the skies—and controversy, with airplanes crowded with mask-free passengers making headlines—JetBlue has just announced that it will become the first U.S. airline to require that its passengers wear face masks. The news comes on the heels of a plea from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) to increase protections for its workers and to “end all leisure travel until the virus is contained.”
JetBlue will be the first USA airline to require passengers to wear face masks.
“Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting those around you,” said Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer. “This is the new flying etiquette.”
The new policy will go into effect on May 4, with every JetBlue passenger being required to cover their nose and mouth during check-in, boarding, in-flight and while deplaning. Small children are exempt. JetBlue already requires that all crew members wear face coverings while working.
According to JetBlue, the airline modeled its new face mask policy on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, which indicate that all individuals should wear a face covering in public to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
READ MORE: “Flight Attendants Warn: Leisure Travel Needs To Stop Now”
Additionally, two of the other major U.S. carriers—American Airlines and Delta Air Lines—announced on Monday that they will provide masks for passengers, though they won’t make it a requirement. Many of the airlines now require that flight attendants wear face masks, including JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines and Frontier.
The airlines are making strides, but the U.S. is still behind Canada. Since April 20, Canada has been requiring that all travelers wear masks while traveling.
JetBlue establishes the new flying etiquette with new face mask policy for passengers.
Beyond requiring that crew and passengers wear face coverings, JetBlue has also been doing its part to fight coronavirus in the air and to help with social distancing onboard airplanes. The airline limits the number of seats available for sale on most flights, thereby providing additional space between passengers. Rows near the jump seats that crew use during takeoff and landing are being blocked off to create a buffer zone. And all of JetBlue’s aircraft are equipped with hospital-grade high-efficiency air particulate (HEPA) filters. “Onboard, cabin air is well circulated and cleaned through filters every few minutes but this is a shared space where we have to be considerate of others,” said Geraghty.
JetBlue’s news was applauded by Sara Nelson, president of the AFA. “Good job, JetBlue for being the first US airline to take this responsible step, which CDC advises will help slow the spread of the virus,” she wrote in a statement. “Most US airlines are now requiring flight attendants to wear a mask while working, but we need passengers to wear masks in order to best protect everyone onboard, including crew. All airlines should follow JetBlue’s lead.”
Nelson also encouraged passengers to voluntarily wear face masks. “We must do everything we can to flatten the curve, restore passenger confidence and help frontline essential aviation workers feel safer about coming to work,” she said. “We’re all in this together.”
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