American Airlines Takes Tougher Stance on Face Masks

American Airlines is taking a tougher stance against those customers who do not comply with the requirement to wear a face covering, such as a mask.

Dr Mike Ryan of @WHO has stressed importance of being able to track & trace passengers after they get off the plane so authorities can easily break any chain of transmission. WHO will issue detailed new considerations/advice for int. #airtravel in couple of days. #travel #aviation

— Travel News Asia (@TravelNewsAsia) 16 June 2020

American, like other U.S. airlines, requires customers to wear a face covering while on board aircraft and already enforces this policy at the gate and will deny boarding to customers who don’t comply.

 The airline has now said that it may also deny future travel for customers who refuse to wear a face covering.

A statement issued by American Airlines on Tuesday, says, "We believe the face covering requirement is important, so customers will notice more reminders of our policy as they travel with us, both at the airport and in flight."

Some passengers are exempt from the face covering requirement, such as young children and those with a disability or medical reason for why they cannot wear a face covering. The policy also does not apply while eating or drinking.

Other airlines taking similar action include Alaska Airlines, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines.

The new policy came into effect on Tuesday.

See latest Travel News, Video Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: COVID19, American Airlines, Masks.