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)
May 10, 2020, 12:09 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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May 10, 2020, 2:12 pm
#77
Formerly known as billinaz
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Confirmation from AA that you will not need to wear a mask:
May 7, 2020
Hello Mr. Spacecoastbill:
Thank you for taking the time to reach out. I'm sorry to hear that you are disappointed with American Airlines' decision to require all passengers to wear masks on board our flights. As a part of American Airline's ongoing commitment to prioritizing customer and team member well-being in response to the coronavirus pandemic, all customers traveling will be required to wear a face covering (or mask) while on board the aircraft beginning May 11. Very young passengers and those with conditions that prevent them from wearing a face covering will be exempt from the requirement.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the use of a simple face covering slows the spread of the virus and helps people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. More information regarding American's response and the new guidelines can be found in the Newsroom.
Mr. Spacecoastbill, I appreciate the interest you have taken in American and we hope to welcome you aboard soon.
Sincerely,
Customer Relations
American Airlines
May 10, 2020, 2:29 pm
#79
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
according to AA twitter rep no one will be denied boarding if they state they have a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a mask. AA is in desperate need for cash. Mandatory masks are just marketing trick that will make people feel safer.
May 10, 2020, 2:36 pm
#80
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I wonder how many days (I am guessing less than 3) before there will be a national news story about a scuffle beteween passengers where one is upset somebody near them isn't wearing a mask. I don't see this mandate lasting long, but I guess we will see.
May 10, 2020, 2:39 pm
#81
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
I’m also gonna be wearing N95 mask when I travel this year. All I’m saying that AA is gonna make exceptions for people who refuse to wear masks and no one will do anything about it u less they change their policy and require people to wear it, similar to how they require wear t-shirt and shoes.
May 11, 2020, 7:25 am
#82
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Maybe it was covered in here and I missed it. Shouldn't I be able to request a refund now because of this requirement? My family had tickets for spring break that we had to cancel because of the lockdown. They are going to expire in November, but for us we have to use them by August to go anywhere meaningful because of school. If we don't want to use the tickets if masks are required, I think we should be able to get a refund since wearing a mask wasn't in the terms when we purchased the ticket.
May 11, 2020, 7:59 am
#83
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Are there any reports of AA providing masks for pax showing up without them?
Also, for those of you who have N95s, where are you getting them? I've found none for sale and the ones at my work are guarded just about as closely as the cash on hand.
Also, for those of you who have N95s, where are you getting them? I've found none for sale and the ones at my work are guarded just about as closely as the cash on hand.
May 11, 2020, 8:12 am
#84
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I'm at MIA this AM. The announcements have been that they have masks for pax that do not have them. What I guess I'll find out soon is whether all F service stops because of the mask requirement.
May 11, 2020, 8:14 am
#85
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That would be quite unfortunate. Got a flight upcoming in a week and I'd really like a Woodford to nurse. If they legitimately wanted to stop service for "safety reasons," they'd have to also disallow people from bringing food and beverages on board and consuming them. Otherwise it'd just be a too-obvious Doug Parker cost-cutting "strategy."
May 11, 2020, 9:00 am
#86
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,657
ETA: make sure the masks you wear have the straps that go around your head if you want to protect yourself, otherwise they do not fit very well if using ear loops. Of course anything in front of your mouth and nose will protect others, but I think this is important if you are worried about protecting yourself from others.
May 11, 2020, 9:59 am
#87
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Maybe it was covered in here and I missed it. Shouldn't I be able to request a refund now because of this requirement? My family had tickets for spring break that we had to cancel because of the lockdown. They are going to expire in November, but for us we have to use them by August to go anywhere meaningful because of school. If we don't want to use the tickets if masks are required, I think we should be able to get a refund since wearing a mask wasn't in the terms when we purchased the ticket.
May 11, 2020, 1:14 pm
#88
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Moderator note--
If you'd like to dispute the merits of wearing a mask or not, please post to one of the threads in the Coronavirus forum:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coronavirus-travel-773/
This thread is to discuss AA's implementation of the rule for passengers to wear masks, effective today 5/11/20.
Thank you.
~moderator
If you'd like to dispute the merits of wearing a mask or not, please post to one of the threads in the Coronavirus forum:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/coronavirus-travel-773/
This thread is to discuss AA's implementation of the rule for passengers to wear masks, effective today 5/11/20.
Thank you.
~moderator
May 11, 2020, 3:55 pm
#89
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Just flew my first leg today, MIA/CLT. Announcement that masks must be worn except when eating or drinking. F FA did PDBs and in flight service (no snack basket). An announcement was made at the end that de-planning would be by rows. The FA called rows 1-4 (F) as the first group. This should go over really well on a late arriving a/c in a hub with connections.
Let's see what transpires on my second leg.
Let's see what transpires on my second leg.
May 11, 2020, 4:55 pm
#90
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Regards