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 CDCs 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 CDCs 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 individuals 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 youre 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 youre 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)
Apr 29, 2021, 6:46 pm
#241
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: ORD, sadly...
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Posts: 599
The "mask" is no longer dictated by airlines but by the Federal Government mandate. When the Federal Government decides to rescind the order the mask can go. Until then it's masks. And I will bet this mandate will be around for quite awhile to come.
Apr 30, 2021, 10:00 pm
#242
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
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Apr 30, 2021, 10:02 pm
#243
Original Member
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No, I am going to stand by my earlier prediction. First, it will not be announced by the feds or the airlines as being permanent. Second, even if "AA" heard something, people in reservations have not been told what "AA heard" a couple months in advance of the announcement.
Apr 30, 2021, 10:31 pm
#244
Formerly known as billinaz
Join Date: Oct 2003
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A person with such a medical condition might be well advised to discuss this with their doctor before buying airline tickets. The doctor might advise a certain type of mask suited to that particular person, supplemental oxygen or might advise staying on the ground.
The ACAA says that airline must accommodate persons with disabilities, so long as that accommodation does not impinge on flight safety.
"Hello, my doctor says I can't wear a mask when I fly."
"Then you don't fly."
"Hello, my doctor says I must stand up in the aisle during takeoff and landing."
"Then you don't fly."
The ACAA says that airline must accommodate persons with disabilities, so long as that accommodation does not impinge on flight safety.
"Hello, my doctor says I can't wear a mask when I fly."
"Then you don't fly."
"Hello, my doctor says I must stand up in the aisle during takeoff and landing."
"Then you don't fly."
Last edited by Microwave; Apr 30, 2021 at 11:23 pm Reason: Merged consecutive posts, removed non-AA/travel-specific content
May 1, 2021, 9:26 am
#245
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 294
No, I am going to stand by my earlier prediction. First, it will not be announced by the feds or the airlines as being permanent. Second, even if "AA" heard something, people in reservations have not been told what "AA heard" a couple months in advance of the announcement.
*cough* 100 ml of liquids allowed in hand baggage *cough*
This is true, and why this matters.
May 1, 2021, 11:03 am
#246
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 124
The feds just announced the extension of the policy until September. They cant possibly know what the situation is going to look like more than 30 days out, so its really hard to understand this decision.
Masking will not be permanent. Most of us have been understanding and compliant thus far. But I think by this summer theyre going to start losing customers over it. I had an asthma attack yesterday at DFW. Ripped my mask off in a quiet, empty corridor and got it under control. Ive decided that Ill fly thru September, and if they dont let it expire by then Ill start driving everything I can.
Thats not a boycott or trying to penalize airlines (its not even their decision) but its my personal limit.
Masking will not be permanent. Most of us have been understanding and compliant thus far. But I think by this summer theyre going to start losing customers over it. I had an asthma attack yesterday at DFW. Ripped my mask off in a quiet, empty corridor and got it under control. Ive decided that Ill fly thru September, and if they dont let it expire by then Ill start driving everything I can.
Thats not a boycott or trying to penalize airlines (its not even their decision) but its my personal limit.
May 1, 2021, 11:47 am
#247
Join Date: Sep 2014
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May 1, 2021, 5:53 pm
#248
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Most definitely not happening. It’ll last as long as the government mandate and no longer.
Last edited by javabytes; May 1, 2021 at 7:08 pm
May 2, 2021, 2:09 am
#249
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 294
And the mandate was just extended. Looks like they knew what they were talking about! Though, if you remember correctly, AA made their initial decision a year ago, prior to the mandate. I don't believe this is based on government restrictions.
May 2, 2021, 8:22 am
#250
Original Member
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Let's see now. You are saying that something that happened yesterday (not "this summer") and which was a temporary extension (not "permanent") is a confirmation of reservations telling you that "this summer it will be announced as permanent"? I don't agree that it works that way.
Last edited by sbrower; May 2, 2021 at 11:40 pm
May 2, 2021, 1:55 pm
#251
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
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Funny reading the first page of this thread from a year ago. Now we've been so accustomed to them it's really not a big deal.
What I found even more amusing was the poster who asked "will AA supply these or do we bring our own". I laughed to myself after reading that post saying why would some poster ask such a silly question then quickly looked and it was me who posted it. lol
What I found even more amusing was the poster who asked "will AA supply these or do we bring our own". I laughed to myself after reading that post saying why would some poster ask such a silly question then quickly looked and it was me who posted it. lol
May 2, 2021, 4:55 pm
#252
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Huh? Extended for 3 months is a far cry from a permanent policy as you have claimed. So no, it doesn't substantiate anything the reservations agents may have told you. And as I'm sure you recall, times were very different on many fronts last year compared to now.
May 3, 2021, 12:17 am
#253
Formerly known as billinaz
Join Date: Oct 2003
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May 3, 2021, 4:33 pm
#254
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 294
You don't think this continual creep will lead to a permanent policy? I'm sorry, but that's very nave.
May 3, 2021, 4:35 pm
#255
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 294
Let's see now. You are saying that something that happened yesterday (not "this summer") and which was a temporary extension (not "permanent") is a confirmation of reservations telling you that "this summer it will be announced as permanent"? I don't agree that it works that way.