A breakdown of the airlines still requiring passengers to wear masks and the ones that don't.
Following news of a federal judge striking down the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) travel mask mandate, many airlines are following suit and no longer requiring passengers to wear masks on their flights. But not all airlines are doing away with masks. Below is a list of all domestic and international airlines that are still requiring masks, as well as the ones that aren't.
United States Airlines (Domestic):
American Airlines: Masks No Longer Required
"In accordance with the Transportation Security Administration no longer enforcing the federal face mask mandate. Face masks will no longer be required for our customers and team members at U.S. airports and on domestic flights. Please note face masks may still be required based on local ordinances, or when traveling to/from certain international locations based on country requirements."
Alaska Airlines: Masks No Longer Required
"Face masks have been like boarding passes for nearly two years — you couldn’t fly without one. But, as of today, masks are optional in airports and onboard aircraft, effective immediately ... Due to a judicial decision in our federal court system, the mask mandate has been overturned, which means our guests and employees have the option to wear a mask while traveling in the U.S. and at work."
Delta: Masks No Longer Required
"Following the ruling of a U.S. district court judge on Monday, the Biden administration announced that the Transportation Security Administration will no longer enforce the federal mandate requiring masks in all U.S. airports and on board aircraft. Effective immediately, masks are optional for all airport employees, crew members and customers inside U.S. airports and on board all aircraft domestically, as well as on most international flights."
Frontier Airlines: Masks No Longer Required
"To mask or not to mask, the choice is yours. Masks are now optional on domestic flights, however, certain airports or countries may still require masks, so check the policy at your destination prior to departure and we'll see you in the sky."
Hawaiian Airlines: Masks No Longer Required
In alignment with TSA’s Security Directive, as of April 18, 2022, face masks are now optional for our guests and employees onboard Hawaiian Airlines flights. We advise travelers to stay informed and follow mask requirements that may remain in effect at their origin or arrival airports. Guests who wish to continue wearing face masks are welcome to do so."
Southwest Airlines: Masks No Longer Required
"Effective immediately, Southwest Employees and Customers will be able to choose whether they would like to wear a mask on flights, at domestic airports, and at some international locations."
Spirit Airlines: Masks No Longer Required
"We require all guests to complete a Health Acknowledgement at check-in," Spirit Airlines says. "The wearing of face coverings is now optional in domestic airports and on Spirit flights. However, local laws and regulations must be followed at all our international airports."
JetBlue: Masks No Longer Required
"In line with Monday’s federal court ruling and the Transportation Security Administration’s guidance, mask wearing will now be optional on JetBlue. While no longer required, customers and crewmembers are welcome to continue wearing masks in our terminals and on board our aircraft ... Regardless of the U.S. rule change, customers and crewmembers who are traveling internationally should always have a mask with them in case they continue to be required at their destination."
United Airlines: Masks No Longer Required
"Effective immediately, masks are no longer required at United on domestic flights, select international flights (dependent upon the arrival country’s mask requirements) or at U.S. airports."
International Airlines:
British Airways: It Depends
"For destinations where we have established that the wearing of a face covering is not mandated, you are able to make a personal choice, and we kindly request everyone respects each other's preferences."
easyJet: Masks No Longer Required
All flights between England, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Isle of Man, Denmark, Sweden, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Hungary, Iceland, and Poland no longer require face coverings.
Jet2: Masks No Longer Required
"It’s no longer a legal requirement to wear a face mask at our airports or onboard our planes. However, as per UK Government guidance, we recommend that you continue to wear a face mask in these spaces, and you might need to wear one when you get to your overseas destination."
Norwegian: Masks No Longer Required
"Use of face mask may still be required at the various destinations. We advises all passengers to check the local requirements and guidance at their destination before traveling, including stops and connecting flights in Europe. It is the responsibility of the passenger to comply local regulations and restrictions."
Virgin Atlantic: It Depends
"Face masks [are] now a personal choice onboard transatlantic flights. As we learn to live with COVID-19 and with the legal requirement to wear a face mask removed in England (and Scotland since 18 April), face masks onboard will be a personal choice, where regulations allow."
Tui: It Depends
"It’s no longer a legal requirement for those travelling to or from the UK to wear a face mask during their TUI Airways flight, but – in accordance with UK government and EU Charter guidance – we do still strongly recommend that you do so."