Wear a mask, or land on United’s ‘restriction list’
Refusal prompts review, decision after flight
United Airlines doubled down on its mandatory mask policy.
The airline announced Monday that any passenger who refuses to comply with its mask requirement will be placed on an “internal travel restriction list,” starting Thursday.
“Customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review,” United Airlines said in a statement provided to USA TODAY.
United implemented its mask policy in early May to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The airline said its mask requirement will stay in place for “at least the next 60 days.”
There are more than 2.1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the USA and counting.
United flight attendants, pilots, customer service agents and ramp workers are also required to wear masks.
“Today’s announcement is an unmistakable signal that we’re prepared to take serious steps, if necessary, to protect our customers and crew,” United’s chief customer officer Toby Enqvist said in the statement.
According to the new policy, flight attendants will ask passengers without face coverings to use a mask and will offer one, if needed. If the passenger refuses, the flight attendant will file a report, initiating a formal review process.
Last week, United said it will require passengers to fill out a preflight health checklist during check-in.
United’s “Ready to Fly” checklist asks passengers to confirm, among other things, they have not had COVID-19-related symptoms in 14 days; been diagnosed with the virus in the past 21 days; or had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
United isn’t the only airline getting more serious about its requirement: American said it “may also deny future travel for customers who refuse to wear a face covering,” according to a news release.
Delta, Southwest, Alaska, Frontier and JetBlue have all announced passenger mask requirements.
“U.S. airlines are very serious about requiring face coverings on their flights. Carriers are stepping up enforcement of face coverings and implementing substantial consequences for those who do not comply with the rules,” Airlines for America President and CEO Nicholas Calio said in a statement Monday. “Face coverings are one of several public health measures recommended by the CDC as an important layer of protection for passengers and customer-facing employees.”
American cited the trade group in its news release: “American made this change after working in conjunction with Airlines for America on an industrywide response.”