COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – At the end of January, the CDC introduced a mask mandate for people traveling on airlines and public transport. If the mask sequence is not followed, you may also see a fine.
Several airlines in the United States allow some passengers to fly without masks if they meet certain qualifications. Customers of American Airlines and Alaska Airlines will be required to wear masks during the trip, unless they meet certain criteria to release them from the mandate.
According to their website, American Airlines says that customers should wear masks for the duration of their trip, also at the airport and on board the plane. Children under the age of two will still be exempt from the mask requirement.
For customers with disabilities who cannot wear masks, American asks them to notify the airline’s special assistance team at least 72 hours before departure to request an exemption.
Exemptions required:
- Documentation from a licensed healthcare provider,
- Evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three calendar days of departure, or evidence of COVID-19 recovery.
American Airlines has also updated its guidelines for acceptable mask types and will ban bandanas and pedestrians. You can read more about the requirements of American Airlines here.
Alaska Airlines is another airline with exemptions for the mask requirement. The airline will require passengers to wear masks at all times during the journey, including the flight, during boarding and disembarking, and during an airport.
If you are disabled and unable to wear a mask, you can call the airlines at least five days before your flight to request and release the mask requirement.
Exemptions required:
- Documentation from a licensed healthcare provider about your inability to wear a mask due to your disability; and
- Evidence of a negative test result from an FDA-approved molecular NAT or PCR Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled flight departure.
You can read more about travel information for Alaska Airlines here.
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