Jun 15, 2020, 10:26 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
American Airlines Strengthens Requirement Customers Wear Face Coverings on Board
Link to full article
“Wearing a face covering is a responsibility we all share. An effective covering, worn properly, is one of the best ways we can control the spread of COVID-19 to protect our team members and customers,” said Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at American. “Since American began requiring face coverings in early May, the vast majority of customers have welcomed our continuing efforts to strengthen the policy based on the CDC’s guidance.”
American began requiring face coverings on board its flights in May and, in July, announced it would only allow exemptions for customers under 2 years old. The airline requires all other customers to wear a face covering from the time they enter the airport where their trip begins until they leave the airport where their trip ends.
Based on the updated CDC guidance, below are examples of face coverings customers can and cannot wear while traveling with American.
https://news.aa.com/news/news-detail...es-OPS-DIS-08/
- New policy is effective Wednesday, Aug. 19
- Allowed face coverings must be worn correctly, covering the nose and mouth, and only can be removed briefly for eating and drinking
- Face coverings made with materials such as mesh or lace fabrics are also not allowed
“Wearing a face covering is a responsibility we all share. An effective covering, worn properly, is one of the best ways we can control the spread of COVID-19 to protect our team members and customers,” said Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer at American. “Since American began requiring face coverings in early May, the vast majority of customers have welcomed our continuing efforts to strengthen the policy based on the CDC’s guidance.”
American began requiring face coverings on board its flights in May and, in July, announced it would only allow exemptions for customers under 2 years old. The airline requires all other customers to wear a face covering from the time they enter the airport where their trip begins until they leave the airport where their trip ends.
Based on the updated CDC guidance, below are examples of face coverings customers can and cannot wear while traveling with American.
https://news.aa.com/news/news-detail...es-OPS-DIS-08/
Allowed:
- A well-secured cloth or mask that fits snugly against the face and covers an individual’s nose and mouth. It must be made of a material that prevents the discharge and release of respiratory droplets from a person's nose or mouth.
Not allowed:
- Face coverings with exhaust valves.
- Face coverings made with materials such as mesh or lace fabrics.
- Face coverings that do not cover the nose and mouth.
- Face shields without the addition of a face covering.
A face covering is required while flying on American, except for very young children or anyone with a condition that prevents them from wearing one. You also may be required by local law to wear a face covering in the airport where your trip begins, where it ends or where you connect.
- Please bring your own face covering to use while traveling. While limited quantities of face coverings may be available at the gate, they will not be available for every customer on every flight.
- Be sure your face covering is on before you board the plane and wear it during your flight. If you’re not exempt from wearing a face covering and decline to wear one, you may be denied boarding and future travel on American.
- Your face covering may be removed to eat or drink, but please put it back on when you’re done.
Details of the updated policy for face coverings will be communicated to American Airlines team members this week, and the policy will go into effect June 16. American also requires team members to wear face coverings while at work.[/quote]
PRIOR POLICY as of 1 May 2020
Link to AA News story
Flight Attendants must wear masks as of Friday, May 1, 2020.
Passengers must wear masks as of Monday, May 11.
AA Passenger Facial Cover / Mask Use Policy 2020 (Inc. changes)
Feb 18, 2021, 9:17 pm
#211
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Adelphi, MD
Programs: Korean Air Skypass, ANA Skyweb, Amex Premier Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred
Posts: 745
Diaper mandate
I'm sure most have you have seen the new additional mandate that's you must wear a diaper on flights. This creates problems as it is hard to find a size that fits.....https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/c...hnk/index.html
How can you be sure some body is wearing one!
How can you be sure some body is wearing one!
Feb 19, 2021, 1:01 pm
#212
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DSM
Posts: 59
That is one of the most absurd things I have ever heard. The outside of that mask is contaminated with anything that was in the air from wherever you have been since you put it on. You are touching the mask and then touching food that you are going to put in your mouth. They don't exactly provide silverware with a turkey sandwich or cheese plate! I managed to suck down 4 vodka cranberries served to me by a great FA last week from CLT-CUN. After about our 4th sips the wife and I both left the mask under our chin and nobody said a word. Unless everybody on the plane dons an N95 mask and doesn't remove it for the entire flight for anything this mask business is largely a facade.
Feb 19, 2021, 3:43 pm
#213
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ILM/STT
Programs: AA Exp, Admirals Club
Posts: 192
That is one of the most absurd things I have ever heard. The outside of that mask is contaminated with anything that was in the air from wherever you have been since you put it on. You are touching the mask and then touching food that you are going to put in your mouth. They don't exactly provide silverware with a turkey sandwich or cheese plate!
Feb 19, 2021, 4:50 pm
#214
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DSM
Posts: 59
I agree with you 100%. I would not even look at one cross-eyed in today's climate. If it's any consolation I had the turkey sandwich and cookie twice in the last 10 days and both times I took the mask clear off and put it on my lap while I ate. Both F flight attendants passed through several times while I was eating and none of them said anything other than asking me if I wanted another drink. I think your experience could have been a "flight attendant made up" policy.
Feb 19, 2021, 6:20 pm
#215
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ILM/STT
Programs: AA Exp, Admirals Club
Posts: 192
I agree with you 100%. I would not even look at one cross-eyed in today's climate. If it's any consolation I had the turkey sandwich and cookie twice in the last 10 days and both times I took the mask clear off and put it on my lap while I ate. Both F flight attendants passed through several times while I was eating and none of them said anything other than asking me if I wanted another drink. I think your experience could have been a "flight attendant made up" policy.
Feb 19, 2021, 6:37 pm
#216
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,501
Definitely a one off, I've honestly seen both extremes and everything in-between, with one FA admitting to me they go into the galley and close the curtain to take their mask off and I can keep mine off for as long as I had a drink in front of me to the UA FA at IAD screaming at a girl sitting at a gate for having her mask off while eating.
I of course comply and where mine unless I am actively eating/drinking but I think everyone can't wait for when we get to the point masks become "optional" and not "mandatory".
I of course comply and where mine unless I am actively eating/drinking but I think everyone can't wait for when we get to the point masks become "optional" and not "mandatory".
Feb 20, 2021, 8:27 am
#217
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,879
Feb 20, 2021, 9:18 am
#218
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It goes without saying that you must always comply with all rules and regulations. Got to look at the topic of the thread or one goes down a rabbit hole.
Feb 20, 2021, 9:56 pm
#219
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ATL/TLV/SDF
Programs: AA EXP, UA LT Ag, Marriott LT Ti, Hyatt Glob, Avis PC, Busted-Knuckles Club Grand Poobah.
Posts: 2,590
What's the deal with industrial-style respirators? I've seen a few of these worn inside terminals but not on board. I have one with N99 NIOSH filters for work (particulates and aerosols) but have never worn it on a trip. Seen conflicting reports that a few FAs disallow these because they can interfere with O2 masks; OK, if the O2s drop I'm yanking this thing off my face so what's the problem? You're supposed to remove any kind of mask anyway if O2 drops. I have N95s I can wear in flight if needed but I'd rather have the big rig on for airport transit.
Feb 20, 2021, 10:41 pm
#220
Formerly known as billinaz
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Goodyear,AZ for now then FL Spacecoast
Programs: US Airways Dividend Miles, American AAdvantage, Avis Preferred, Budget Rapid Rez, Hilton Honors
Posts: 1,145
Acceptable face coverings
- A mask or 2 layered secured cloth that completely covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly to the sides of your face and under your chin
- Face shields worn with a face covering, but not in place of one
Feb 21, 2021, 6:00 am
#221
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA LT PLT; HH Diamond; AS 75K
Posts: 2,879
Feb 25, 2021, 4:20 am
#223
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ILM/STT
Programs: AA Exp, Admirals Club
Posts: 192
I agree with you 100%. I would not even look at one cross-eyed in today's climate. If it's any consolation I had the turkey sandwich and cookie twice in the last 10 days and both times I took the mask clear off and put it on my lap while I ate. Both F flight attendants passed through several times while I was eating and none of them said anything other than asking me if I wanted another drink. I think your experience could have been a "flight attendant made up" policy.
Feb 25, 2021, 7:37 am
#224
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: DSM
Posts: 59
Absurd!! I'm not flying again until April, hopefully cases keep going down and the fear subsides a bit by then. I'll probably have to bite my tongue so hard that it bleeds if I'm asked to pull a mask back up while I chew.
Feb 25, 2021, 10:51 am
#225
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,374
Here is the policy per AA's website:
Face coverings are required by U.S. federal law from the time you enter the airport where your trip begins, on board your flight, and until you leave the airport where your trip ends. This includes if you’re visiting our clubs and lounges.
You can briefly lower or remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking oral medication, but it must be worn between bites and sips.
IMO, too many folks tried to push the rules by nursing a drink or slowly eating with their mask off during much of the flight.
Face coverings are required by U.S. federal law from the time you enter the airport where your trip begins, on board your flight, and until you leave the airport where your trip ends. This includes if you’re visiting our clubs and lounges.
You can briefly lower or remove your face covering while actively eating, drinking or taking oral medication, but it must be worn between bites and sips.
IMO, too many folks tried to push the rules by nursing a drink or slowly eating with their mask off during much of the flight.
Last edited by work2fly; Feb 25, 2021 at 12:59 pm