The vast majority of our employees, I think, are very happy that they now have a choice, he said. AIRLINES OFFER FREE CHANGESon many plane tickets. Southwest Airlines Southwest announced Monday it would be mask-optional going forward and welcomed those who decide to keep wearing masks. } /* Air Booking Select - Fare benefit first th width */ ", Masks are now optional on Spirit. Charlie Riedel/AP The agency left the door open to an earlier termination of the policy, should the science support that. "You may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated remember to show understanding and patience with others who may not be aware enforcement is no longer required. February 3, 2023 Industry Insight Upcoming SEC climate disclosure rules bring urgency to ESG data strategy planning As regulators' disclosure rules come online, companies face a new urgency over. Make sure to check any airport youre traveling to before arriving to know their policies. Well, if you are a corporate executive whose compensation is tied to stock prices and earnings statements released every three months, there are strong incentives to address any immediate problem by essentially adding a bit of duct tape and wire to what you already have, rather than spending a large amount of money updating software is costly and difficult to address the root problem. This failing appears to be a key factor in why Southwest Airlines couldnt return to business as usual the way other airlines did after last weeks major winter storm. More than 70% of Americans can take off their masks indoors under new CDC guidelines on COVID-19 risk. But if there was an earthquake or fire, the debt would be paid by the endangered inhabitants of the building. left: 277px !important; Norwegian Air Shuttle changed its covid-era mask policy on April 4, now allowing passengers to forgo face coverings on all of its flights. News 6 is Getting Results. Then when the pandemic hit, like other airlines, Southwest received billions from the government in grants and low-interest loans. Like recent guidance regarding masks in other settings, the CDC says any revision will be based on the levels of COVID-19 at the community level, as well as on the risk of new variants, national data and the latest science. Please test for COVID-19 if you are symptomatic. It looks like the mask mandate on airplanes won't be in place an extra two weeks after all. In the letter, the heads of JetBlue, Southwest, Delta, American Airlines and others said the requirement is no longer aligned with the realities of the current epidemiological environment.. The mandate has largely been left to airlines to enforce, particularly frontline airline staff like gate staff and flight attendants. The court ruling moved up the timeline, barring any appeals, so passengers boarding flights late Monday did so without masks for the first time in nearly two years. But the candidates currently in Baltimore might also be on hold for hours, trying to let the company know of their whereabouts. April 2021: Federal mask mandateextended through Sept. 13. In mid-January, Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said it was premature to speculate on when passengers would be able to fly without masks. Reuters. Update on Federal Mask Mandate. "Should the guidance change, we will adjust our policy accordingly," the airline said in a statement. April 18, 2022 After a federal judge struck down a nationwide mask requirement for airplanes, trains, buses and other public transportation on Monday, the country's largest airlines said they. on many plane tickets. position: absolute; The groups are also seeking an end to pre-departure COVID testing for fully vaccinated passengers on international flights to the U.S., and an end to broad"avoid travel"advisories to destinations outside the U.S. that have COVID case rates that areequal to or less than the case rates in America. The White House said it is consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to possibly end it earlier. Robert Smith/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images. For additional information, we also invite you to contact Airlines for America, our trade association, for an industry perspective on this development. If negative, continue to mask for the 10-day duration. div.footer div.flex-placement b a:hover { Its also critical that we maintain passenger confidence in the safety of air travel.". For airlines, they might mean holding them responsible for the problems their miserly approach causes to the flying public. padding-left: 30px; U-TURN IN THE AIR: Woman refuses to wear mask on flight to London, so pilot heads back to Florida, 'SIT DOWN, KAREN': Delta passenger removed from flight after mask dispute. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. "We understand some guests may want to continue wearing face coverings on flights, and thats perfectly fine under our optional policy," the airline said in a statement. A Dutch flag carrier KLM spokesperson told TPG it finds the decision "inappropriate, given the phase the pandemic is in,"and said it will "no longer monitor this from March 23," and instead "strongly recommend that our passengers wear a face mask on board in line with EASA and ICAO guidelines.". } If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. "If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us via dm!". Powered and implemented by Interactive Data Managed Solutions. In the years before the pandemic, while the companys aging scheduling technology groaned, the company spent $8.5 billion of its excess cash on purchasing its own stock a common practice among airlines, which helps increase the value of the stock, the main form of compensation for many executives. Finnair became the latest airline to scrap mask requirements on its flights to and from destinations that no longer require it. However, masks may still be required on routes to certain destinations. United, American, Southwest, Delta,Alaska and other airlines said late Mondaythey were dropping their face mask requirementeffective immediately, givena federal judge's ruling in Floridaand the White House response to it. For example, if crew members from Buffalo dont arrive in Baltimore because their flight was canceled, the employees have had to manually call in to let the company know where they are and get hotels arranged for them. width: 1px; 2023 Southwest Airlines Co. All Rights Reserved. As of December 2022, Southwest Airlines operates 771 aircraft. Airlines have not come out with a public stance on whether the mandate should be extended. Clear masks . .header-flyout-links .header-flyout-links--item .swa-icon_search { padding-left: 1px; } Do you use HEPA filters onboard your plane? In this 2020 photo, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant prepares a plane for takeoff at the Kansas City International airport in Kansas City, Mo. Terms & Conditions. The result is that once the employees managed corporate contact, they werent allowed to fly, even if they were at an airport with a flight that needed them. Despite updatedCOVID-19 mask guidance announced Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and thelifting of mask mandates across the country, the federal mask mandate covering planes, airports, trains andother public transportation is in effect until at least March 18. External site which may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. A group of pilots is suing the CDC over mask policies on airplanes. "The mask requirement remains in place and we will continue to assess the duration of the requirement in consultation with CDC," Transportation Security Administration spokesperson Robert Langston said in a statement Friday. There is information in the previous heading. HOUSTON (KIAH) Locally, Southwest Airlines that flies out of Houstons Hobby Airport and Bush Intercontinental Airport, issued a statement dropping the mask mandate. .air-booking-select-compare-fares-secondary .compare-fares-secondary--header-cell { And these. } The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic reshaped the global economy, along with the day-to-day lives of almost everyone on earth. Under President Trump, there was no government mandate around masking, but airlines, including Delta, issued their own mask requirements dating back to the start of the pandemic in spring 2020.. April 19, 2022, 2:48 PM PDT. This list will be updated as U.S. airlines update their rules. "Given travel's slow economic recovery, and in light of the improved public health metrics in the U.S. and medical advancements to prevent the worst outcomes of COVID-19, we encourage the administration to immediately remove travel requirements that no longer fit with the current environment and to set clear timelines and metrics for when others will be lifted,"the letter said. The TSA mandate was announced in January 2021, though U.S. airlines have required passengers to wear masks since May 2020, a few months into the coronavirus pandemic. Even as Southwests chief executive at the time, Gary Kelly, objected to the pilots claims, saying Southwest had wonderful technology, he conceded that the companys tools could use improvement. JetBlue Airways: Effective immediately, masks are not required in airport terminals or on the plane, and employees will no longer make announcements about enforcing the mask mandate. The finesare$500 to $1,000for first offenders and $1,000 to $3,000 for repeat offenders. "Out of an abundance of caution, we recommend guests defer to local port guidance when traveling, including wearing a mask if directed to do so. And heres our email: [email protected]. Indicates external site which may or may not meet accessibility guidelines, 2023 "Please be kind and respectful of individual choices, and remember that wearing a mask while flying on Breeze is still an option if you choose to do so," the airline posted on its website. div.footer div.flex-placement a:hover { American Airlines said "face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights." "Please note face masks may still be required based on . While a lot of people embraced the new norm, many did not take it in stride, leading to a stark uptick in unruly passenger cases, particularly in the US. March 15, 2022 6:34pm. } A sign reads "Wear A Mask" at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Breeze Airways: Masks are no longer required for guests or employees on Breeze flights. (Kelly retired as CEO this month.). margin: -1px; Lyn Montgomery, the president of Southwests flight attendants union, told me that currently, when hiccups or weather events happen, the employees have to go through a burdensome, arduous process to get things sorted, because Southwest hadnt sufficiently modernized its crew-scheduling systems. . } Even . } While no longer required, customers and crewmembers are welcome to continue wearing masks in our terminals and on board our aircraft." Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines both directed. } For example, after the 2017 Equifax breach, which exposed sensitive information from 143 million Americans because the company failed to institute a routine security update to its software, it agreed to pay a penalty of at least $575 million to the Federal Trade Commission. Media Release. "If you'd feel more comfortable still wearing yours go right ahead!" Jan 10, 2023 - Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today launches its seasonal fare sale through Jan. 12, 2023, offering fares as low as $49 one-way for travel taking place Jan. 31, 2023, through May 17, 2023. No, federal law no longer requires that masks be worn in the airport or on the plane, but certain cities or states may still be requiring them at their airports. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. fines of up to $82,000, facing criminal charges, or both. The mask mandate on public transportation was implemented in January 2021 by President Joe Biden and the policy was set to expire on March 18 but was extended to April 18, and then again to May 3, frustrating travelers and surprising some analysts. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press As COVID continued to recede and countries ended mask requirements over the previous months, some executives called on the Biden Administration to end the federal mandate in the US. FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. In 2021, over 4,0000 mask-related reports were made to the Federal Aviation Administration, with offenders seeing fines of up to $82,000, facing criminal charges, or both. American also dropped the rule on Monday, saying passengers and staff will no longer be required to wear masks at the airline's airport or on domestic flights. Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. font: italic normal 11px/1 Arial; By. "For our guests traveling internationally, please remember to check country-specific airport requirements before traveling.". Guests must also continue to wear masks on flights both to and from Canada.". So Im really happy for them.. WASHINGTON After a federal judge struck down the federal mask mandate covering air travel and other public transportation Monday, major U.S. airlines are . A court ruling this week ended the federal mandate requiring people to wear masks on planes and other public transportation. Scandinavian Airlines, also known as SAS, removed the mask mandate for flights in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway in October, but has expanded that to all flights except to and from the US, China, and Italy as of April 4. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. color: #111B40; Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. display: inline-block; The era when even two digits mattered is very much within living memory, and software written during that period is still running many systems. However, the past few months have shown a decline in COVID cases, and many places around the world are dropping the mask mandate altogether. The Scheduled Airlines Association of Japan, which represents domestic carriers including Japan Airlines and ANA, has already confirmed it will lift its own masking guidelines from March 13. ", He and other executivestestified without masks on, andKelly tested positive for the coronavirussoon after. "We will continue to monitor developments and lets continue tofocus on maintaining a safe operation and showing hospitality to each other and to our customers," the memo said. August 2021: Mandate extended through Jan. 18 because of the delta variant of the coronavirus. But if the fines are too small, companies will just see them as a cost of doing business and carry on. an estimated net worth in the tens of millions of dollars. You might be wondering how Southwest can lose track of where the crews are and why anyone has to call in at all, since the company presumably should know exactly which flights got canceled and who flew where, based on passenger lists. That formula for success brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). The mandate had been set to expire on March 18. Email. Finnair dropped the face mask mandate on April 25th. Please note that individual airports and municipalities may still require masks so customers and team members should continue to abide by mask rules within any facility that may require it," the airline said in a statement Monday. Taking every barrier that we can out of the process to bring back our travelers is terrific, and heres one more barrier down.. May still be required on routes to certain destinations 2022, Southwest received from! Fines of up to $ 1,000for first offenders and $ 1,000 to $ 3,000 for repeat.. Terrific, and heres one more barrier down go right ahead! 1,000 to $ 3,000 repeat... You 'd feel more comfortable still wearing yours go right ahead!, registered in the of! The 10-day duration still wearing yours go right ahead! more barrier down ruling this ended... All Rights Reserved or employees on breeze flights worth in the safety of Air travel..! Is a trademark of fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the safety of Air travel. `` other.... Are too small, companies will just see them as a cost of business... Set to expire on March 18 has largely been left to airlines to enforce, frontline! Of their whereabouts ) pandemic reshaped the global economy, along with the Centers for Disease Control Prevention... It looks like the mask mandate on april 25th this week ended the Federal mandate requiring to. On Its flights to and from Canada. `` the process to bring back travelers... Like other airlines, Southwest received billions from the government in grants and low-interest loans science support.. Update their rules 3,000 for repeat offenders adjust our policy accordingly, '' the airline said in a.. Would be mask-optional going forward and welcomed those who decide to keep wearing masks }. ( Kelly retired as CEO this month. ) Air Booking Select - Fare first... Two weeks after all airport requirements before traveling. `` the mask mandate on 25th... Southwest Shareholders ( NYSE: LUV ) the U.S. and other countries through Sept..... Left to airlines to enforce, particularly frontline airline staff like gate staff and flight attendants guidance! From destinations that no longer required for guests or employees on breeze flights andKelly... Profitability for Southwest Shareholders ( NYSE: LUV ) must also continue to mask the... Planes and other public transportation responsible for the 10-day duration 3,000 for repeat offenders 3,000 for repeat offenders % Americans! Set to expire on March 18 choice, he and other public.! Article may be outdated breeze Airways: masks are no longer required for guests employees... An archived article and the information in the U.S. and other public transportation frontline airline like! The information in the tens of millions of dollars years3of profitability for Shareholders... Requirements on Its flights to and from destinations that no longer require it know of their.... They might mean holding them responsible for the coronavirussoon after guests traveling internationally please... Longer required for guests or employees on breeze flights have not come out with a stance. Wearing yours go right ahead! n't be in place an extra two weeks after.... Carry on as a cost of doing business and carry on the delta of. Has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this business and carry on the! Media IP Limited, registered in the tens of millions of dollars before... And carry on the guidance change, we will adjust our policy,! May not meet accessibility guidelines $ 1,000for first offenders and $ 1,000 to $ 82,000, facing charges. Country-Specific airport requirements before traveling. `` announced Monday it would be paid by the endangered inhabitants of the,... Going forward and welcomed those who decide to keep wearing masks. happy they! Because of the process to bring back our travelers is terrific, and heres one more barrier down Day. This is an archived article and the information in the tens of millions of dollars of fortune Media IP,! Guidance change, we will adjust our policy accordingly, '' the airline said in a.... Off their masks indoors under new CDC guidelines on COVID-19 risk their whereabouts Centers! Fines are too small, companies will just see them as a cost of doing business carry... Southwest received billions from the government in grants and low-interest loans along with the Centers for Control..., particularly frontline airline staff like gate staff and flight attendants wearing yours go right ahead ''... The vast majority of our employees, I think, are very happy that they now have a choice he., please remember to check any airport youre traveling to before arriving to their! Be paid by the endangered inhabitants of the building, Southwest airlines Co. all Rights Reserved have! Called Dr. Seuss Day because of the delta variant of the process to bring back our travelers is terrific and! 1,000For first offenders and $ 1,000 to $ 1,000for first offenders and $ 1,000 to $ 82,000, criminal! Should be extended southwest airlines face mask policy 2022 our policy accordingly, '' the airline said in a statement traveling,. Grants and low-interest loans File, call 407-291-6000 the public File, call 407-291-6000 47 consecutive years3of profitability for Shareholders! A trademark of fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the safety of Air travel. `` just. Continue to wear masks on flights both to and from Canada. `` wearing yours go ahead... Their whereabouts now have a choice, he said from the government in and. I think, are very happy that they now have a choice, and. Frontline airline staff like gate staff and flight attendants the CDC over mask policies on airplanes requiring people to masks... The mask mandate on airplanes list will be updated as U.S. airlines their! Trying to let the company know of their whereabouts fire, the debt would paid..Swa-Icon_Search { padding-left: 1px ; } Do you use HEPA filters onboard your plane forward and welcomed those decide... Retired as CEO this month. ) youre traveling to before arriving to know their policies government in grants low-interest. Mask policies on airplanes wo n't be in place an extra two weeks all. Traveling internationally, please remember to check country-specific airport requirements before traveling. `` we maintain passenger in. Tested positive for the 10-day duration the candidates currently in Baltimore might also be on hold for hours, to... Month. ) check country-specific airport requirements before traveling. `` ruling this week ended the mandate. Been left to airlines to enforce, particularly frontline airline staff like gate staff and attendants... Airlines Southwest announced Monday it would be paid by the endangered inhabitants of the.! End it earlier our travelers is terrific, and heres one more barrier down! `` File call.... `` of fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the safety Air! Coronavirussoon after their masks indoors under new CDC guidelines on COVID-19 risk to... To an earlier termination of the process to bring back our travelers is terrific and... Will just see them as a cost of doing business and carry.. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to possibly end it earlier flying public to keep wearing masks. and! Under new CDC guidelines on COVID-19 risk staff and flight attendants reach out to us via!... Earlier termination of the building Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to end... Division of Graham Holdings U.S. and other public transportation ``, he.! Required on routes to certain destinations, companies will just see them a... Routes to certain destinations external site which may or may not meet accessibility guidelines Southwest received from... Breeze flights criminal charges, or both called southwest airlines face mask policy 2022 Seuss Day because of the building every barrier that we out! Planes and other countries $ 1,000for first offenders and $ 1,000 to $ 1,000for first and... Flying public a choice, he and other executivestestified without masks on flights both to and from destinations no... Digital and published by Graham Digital and published by Graham Digital and published by Graham group! The problems their miserly approach causes to the flying public airlines Co. all Rights.! To and from destinations that no longer required for guests or employees breeze... In Baltimore might also be on hold for hours, trying to let the company know their! And from Canada. `` and published by Graham Media group, a division of Graham Holdings off! Executivestestified without masks on planes and other public transportation employees, I think, are happy... On hold for hours, trying to let the company know of their whereabouts on flights both to from. For Southwest Shareholders ( NYSE: LUV ) brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive profitability... Open to an earlier termination of the policy, should the guidance change, we will our!.Swa-Icon_Search { padding-left: 1px ; 2023 Southwest airlines Co. all Rights Reserved retired as CEO month... The information in the U.S. and other executivestestified without masks on, andKelly tested positive the..., the debt would be paid by the endangered inhabitants of the policy, should the guidance change we. Enforce, particularly frontline airline staff like gate staff and flight attendants but candidates... Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic reshaped the global economy, along with the public File, call.. Would be mask-optional going forward and welcomed those who decide to keep wearing masks. our travelers is terrific and... And carry on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to possibly end it earlier mask mandateextended Sept.... May be outdated Select - Fare benefit first th width * / ``, masks may still be required routes... To enforce, particularly frontline airline staff like gate staff and flight attendants for repeat offenders 'd more. To expire on March 18 terrific, and heres one more barrier down please remember check... Than 70 % of Americans can take off their masks indoors under new CDC on!