Beginning on May 4, US airline JetBlue will require passengers to wear face coverings on all flights, becoming the first major US airline to do so.
JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer, Joanna Geraghty, shares, “Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting those around you. This is the new flying etiquette. 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. We are also asking our customers to follow these CDC guidelines in the airport as well.”
The mandate arrives after the airline mandated that its crew members wear coverings while on the clock, a policy mimicked by fellow US company American Airlines; who will require its flight attendants to wear face masks during every mainline and regional flight as of May 1.
Furthermore, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, Sara Nelson, adds, “All airlines should follow JetBlue’s lead, including its efforts to fully communicate the change before it becomes effective next week so that Flight Attendants are not put in the position of being enforcers without information and backing from the airline.”
