American Airlines and Delta Now Require all Passengers to Wear Face Masks

Delta and American Airlines are now requiring all passengers to wear face masks while flying on their airplanes.

"Face coverings will be required starting in the check-in lobby and across Delta touchpoints including Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges and on board the aircraft for the duration of the flight – except during meal service," says a Delta release. "Their use is also strongly encouraged in high-traffic areas including security lines and restrooms. People unable to keep a face covering in place, including children, are exempt."

In addition, Delta announced that the airline will continue evaluating our practices and new opportunities to support personal safety. New efforts and a new standard of clean include:

Expanding electrostatic sanitizing spraying – to all aircraft and adopting extensive pre-flight cleaning practices that disinfect high-touch areas – on top of existing cleaning measures and the use of state-of-the-art air circulation systems with HEPA filters that extract more than more than 99.999% of even the tiniest viruses on many Delta aircraft
Taking steps to give customers and employees more space for safer travel on the ground and in the air by blocking middle seats, reducing the number of customers on each flight and pausing automatic Medallion Complimentary Upgrades
Adjusting the boarding process to encourage more space for safer travel by boarding all flights from back-to-front — reducing the instances of customers needing to pass by one another to reach their seats

Streamlining onboard food and beverage service on all flights and encouraging customers to pack their own food and beverages to decrease touch points
Providing supplies directly to customers when available, including hand sanitizers, amenity kits and other protective equipment to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses

American Airlines will begin to require face masks on flights beginning on May 11. "You also may be required by local law to wear one in the airport where your trip begins, where it ends or where you connect," says a release.