From Yahoo:
“Airlines
have banned more than 2,500 passengers for not wearing masks - here are the
carriers that have booted the most”
More than 2,500
passengers have been banned from US airlines for non-compliance with mask
policies. Newly inaugurated President
Joe Biden just signed an executive order to mandate masks when flying travelers
but it's clear that airlines haven't been waiting on the government for
guidance. New data from the country's largest airlines reveal that more than
2,500 passengers have been banned since the spring for violating onboard mask
policies, and the list grows larger every day. Airlines have been turning to
mask enforcement as a way to regain confidence in air travel by eliminating
fears of the onboard spread of COVID-19. A handful of banned passengers, in
their eyes, outweighs the loss of thousands of travelers due to an in-flight
outbreak, especially as daily passenger numbers are still more than 50% less
than 2019's, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Passengers banned by these airlines will
typically be welcomed back once the pandemic ends and masks are no longer
required. Until then, the thousands of passengers banned by a particular
airline will have to find a new one to frequent.
Here's how
US airlines are stacking up when it comes to enforcing mask policies.
Allegiant
Air Allegiant Air was the last major US airline to require its passengers
to wear masks while flying and while the ultra-low-cost carrier finally
relented, a spokesperson told Insider that only "approximately 15"
flyers have been banned for non-compliance and "egregious
violations," as of January 14, 2021. Masks are available upon
request at Allegiant airport counters or onboard the aircraft, a policy that
the airline says helps minimize the number of banned passengers. "We
have found this approach to be quite effective generally, and that the great
majority of passengers support and comply with the policy," a spokesperson
told Insider. "For the most part, those few who may need a reminder in
flight also comply with the policy."
Hawaiian
Airlines Hawaiian Airlines has banned 56 passengers for mask non-compliance
as of mid-January, a spokesperson confirmed to Insider. Flights between the
mainland and Hawaii are among the most scrutinized in the US as the 50th state
requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test for entry.
JetBlue
Airways JetBlue Airways has banned a total of 115 passengers as of January
20, 2021. "We are extremely grateful to our crewmembers who are
focused on ensuring our customers are complying with our face covering
requirements and to our customers who tell us how important this requirement is
toward keeping one another healthy and safe," an airline spokesperson told
Insider.
Alaska
Airlines Alaska Airlines has banned 328 passengers as of January 22, 2021,
after experiencing an uptick following the US Capitol riots. A total of 14
passengers were banned on a single flight from Washington, DC to Seattle for
non-compliance, as well as rowdy behavior. A soccer-style yellow card
system was implemented at the airline to help discretely notify passengers that
they're running afoul of mask rules.
Spirit
Airlines Spirit Airlines has banned "about 400" passengers for
mask non-compliance, a spokesperson told Insider. Despite its status as
America's most loved-to-hate airline, Insider found on an August Spirit
Airlines flight that the airline was being proactive in aiding social
distancing when possible. Flight attendants were moving passengers to empty
rows and while middle seats weren't formally blocked, an effort was made to
limit passengers to two per row.
Frontier
Airlines Frontier Airlines is reporting over 500 passengers have been added
to a "prevent departure list" as of January 14, 2021, due to mask
non-compliance, a spokesperson told Insider. Passengers are required to wear
masks for the duration of the flight and submit to a temperature check at
boarding.
United
Airlines United Airlines is reporting 613 banned passengers for mask
non-compliance as of January 15, 2021, a spokesperson told Insider. Around 60
passengers on the list had been banned the week of the Capitol riots alone as
United has a hub at Washington Dulles International Airport near the nation's
capital.
Delta Air
Lines Delta Air Lines tops the list at 880 passengers banned for mask
non-compliance as of January 14, 202, a spokesperson confirmed to Insider.
Masks are required at every step in the Delta travel experience starting at
check-in, as Insider found on a tour of Delta's operation at John F. Kennedy
International Airport. The airline saw additional incidents in the days
leading up to and after the Capitol riots. A flight from Salt Lake City to
Washington saw six passengers that were harassing Senator Mitt Romney banned
for mask non-compliance. Most passengers on Delta's no-fly will be
allowed to travel once the mask rule is phased out but some who committed
offenses beyond just not wearing a mask will be banned indefinitely.
American
Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines did not provide specific
data on how many passengers were banned due to mask non-compliance.
Minneapolis-based Sun Country, however, did report an increase in mask-related
incidents following the Capitol riots, despite a lack of flights to Washington.
^ It’s nice to finally see airlines taking wearing a mask seriously and banning passengers that refuse
to put one on (and this was before Biden’s Federal Mask Mandate.) It would be
even better if people just wore one. ^
https://www.yahoo.com/news/airlines-banned-more-2-500-132500955.html
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