Several major airlines in the United States no longer require passengers and personnel to wear facial covers on domestic and certain international flights.
The ruling came just hours after a US judge dismissed a federal government mandate requiring passengers wear face masks. Following the court verdict, the Transit Security Administration (TSA) announced that it would no longer require passengers on aircraft, trains, and other public transportation to wear masks, for now, Bloomberg reported.
Which Airline Still Require Wearing of Face Mask?
Major US airlines-- Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue--announced Monday that masks are now optional on their aircraft, according to a CNN report.
Delta Air Lines (DAL) announced that wearing a mask is optional for their passengers. It also warned travelers about possible "inconsistent enforcement" in the next 24 hours due to "broadly communicated" news.
DAL said: "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."
United Airlines (UAL) stated that "masks are no longer required at United on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country's mask requirements)" or at airports within the US.
Alaska Airlines announced that face masks are now optional for passengers. It also posted an advisory on its website reminding passengers to be "kind to one another and that wearing a mask while traveling is still an option."
It added that some people who were barred from flying with Alaska Airlines during the mask policy's tenure will still be forbidden from flying with the airline in the present.
American Airlines (AAL) stated that "face masks will no longer be required" for their passengers and personnel at "US airports and on domestic flights." Though it advised that "face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements."
Southwest Airlines, meanwhile, posted on its website that passengers and employees have the option "whether they would like to wear a mask." The company urged individuals to "make the best decision" to protect their health.
The airline went on to say that it would continue to ensure the comfort of individuals who travel with it by providing additional layers of security.
JetBlue (JBLU) announced on Twitter Monday that mask-wearing would be optional within the United States, and "customers and crewmembers may continue wearing masks" in its terminals and onboard its aircraft.
On the ground, Amtrak has announced that passengers and personnel will no longer be required to wear face masks.
Policy Under Review
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the mask mandate until May 3 last week. That changed when Judge Mizelle overturned the mandate.
"The agencies are studying the decision and assessing potential future measures," a White House administration spokesperson said on Monday. In the meantime, the court decision means CDC's public transit masking order is not in effect per NBC 5 Chicago.
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