American Airlines is following on from other airlines and will soon demand that all passengers wear a face mask in order to travel.
The airline has released confirmation that from 11th May, its customers will be required to wear a face-covering (or mask) while onboard the aircraft. This new requirement is, the airline says, part of its ongoing commitment to prioritizing customer and team member well-being in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Yet it also helps to protect the airline from an inevitable lawsuit from infected passengers claiming they got it on an American flight or the airline didn't do enough to protect passengers,
American Airlines cites the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in that the use of a simple face-covering slows the spread of the virus and helps people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.
American says a face-covering will be required by each passenger while onboard, although the ruling will not apply to very young passengers or those with conditions that prevent them from wearing a face-covering.
Earlier this week, the carrier announced that face coverings will be required for flight attendants during every mainline and regional flight. Additionally, American will begin the process of distributing sanitizing wipes and face coverings to customers. This offering will expand to all flights as supplies and operational conditions allow.
"The American Airlines team continues to prioritize the safety of our customers and team members, and requiring a face covering is one more way we can protect those on our aircraft,” said Kurt Stache, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience. “We ask customers to bring their own masks or face coverings they’re comfortable with when they travel. American is working to procure face masks and hand sanitizer as a supplement."
These changes continue to build on American’s commitment to customer and team member safety. American’s cleaning practices have always met or exceeded all guidelines set by the CDC. All American Airlines mainline aircraft and most of its regional aircraft are equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. In addition, the cabin air in all American aircraft is changed approximately 15 to 30 times per hour, or once every two to four minutes, similar to the standard for hospitals.
At the airport, American has expanded the frequency of cleaning the areas under its control including gate areas, ticket counters, passenger service counters, baggage service offices and team member rooms. American is also using stanchions to encourage social distancing at gates and ticket counters. Learn more about American’s ongoing commitment to safety at aa.com/coronavirus.
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