Coronavirus: US airlines threaten to ban passengers who refuse to wear masks
United said those who do not comply with the rule will be placed on an internal travel restriction list.
Tuesday 16 June 2020 13:26, UK
Passengers could be barred from flying with US airlines if they refuse to wear face coverings during their journey, the industry's main lobby group said.聽
The airlines, which include American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, will tell passengers what their individual face mask policies are is during the coronavirus pandemic.
Each carrier will decide what the repercussions are for passengers who fail to comply, including being put on that airline's no-fly list or being barred from boarding.
There will be exemptions, including when people are eating or drinking.
Carriers with the stricter policy include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, lobby group Airlines for America said in a statement.
United said those who do not comply with the rule will be placed on an internal travel restriction list, preventing them from flying with the airline for a set time period.
Delta said it would be working hard to ensure customers are aware of and comply with the rules around face coverings.
The measures are expected to remain in place throughout the coronavirus crisis.
The US government has not mandated any airline safety requirements.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, said: "The federal government has completely abdicated its responsibility to keep the flying public and aviation workers safe during COVID-19."
She added: "The industry alone cannot fix this."