More US carriers instruct passengers to wear face masks in the cabin

A further three more US carriers have announced plans to require all passengers to wear face coverings when in the cabin in response to a US Congressional calls for a national policy over the issue to be announced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

American Airlines, Delta Air and Denver-based ULCC Frontier Airlines have each announced that they will request all passengers wear a mask or face covering while boarding, and in the cabin, beginning from early May.

The wearing of masks is a result of pressure in Congress for a national policy over public concerns about the safety of air travel. The chairman of the US House Transportation Committee, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) recently raised the issue on Capitol Hill urging FAA Administrator Steve Dickson to implement a nationwide mandate for the wearing of masks aboard aircraft.

“I believe these measures are not only well within the FAA’s jurisdiction, but are also essential to protect frontline airline employees as well as the members of the flying public who still must travel during the pandemic,” said DeFazio in a statement.

The Air Line Pilots Assicotation has been critical of the process calling for the FAA to implement a more rigid system where the wearing of masks in mandatory in the cabin and not a voluntary decision for each passenger.