COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KKTV) – The CDC put on a mask mandate in late January for people traveling on airlines and public transportation. If the mask order is not followed, you will also see a fine.
Several airlines in the United States are allowing some passengers to fly without masks if they meet certain qualifications. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines customers will be required to wear masks while traveling, unless they meet certain criteria that allow them to be exempt from the mandate.
According to its website, American Airlines says customers are required to wear masks while traveling, including at the airport and on board the aircraft. Children under the age of two will remain exempt from the mask requirement.
For customers with disabilities who are unable to wear masks, American is asking them to notify the airline’s Special Assistance team at least 72 hours prior to departure to request an exemption.
Exemptions will require:
- Documentation from a licensed healthcare provider,
- Proof of a negative COVID-19 test obtained within three calendar days prior to departure or proof of COVID-19 recovery.
American Airlines has also updated its guidelines for acceptable mask types and will ban bandanas and gaiters. You can read more about American Airlines’ requirements here.
Alaska Airlines is another airline with exemptions from the mask requirement. The airline will require passengers to wear masks at all times during their journey, including the flight, during boarding and disembarking and while traveling at an airport.
If you have a disability and are unable to wear a mask, you can call the airlines at least five days before the flight to request exemption from the mask requirement.
Exemptions will require:
- Documentation from a licensed healthcare provider regarding your inability to wear a mask due to your disability; and
- Proof of a negative FDA-approved NAAT or PCR Covert-19 molecular test result, taken 72 hours prior to the departure of your scheduled flight.
You can read more travel information for Alaska Airlines here.
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