Prefer Not to Fly With Passengers Without Masks? Contact Your Airline

Airlines state they are providing options—including refunds in certain instances—for individuals concerned about flying now that mask-wearing is no longer mandatory for other passengers.

However, airlines are not sharing much information. Customers might find themselves reliant on the discretion of airline customer service representatives.

Many travelers set to fly in the upcoming weeks purchased their tickets prior to a federal judge in Florida on Monday, April 18, overturning the mandate requiring masks in airports and on flights. This rule, intended to help curb the spread of COVID-19, was already set to expire on May 3.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby mentioned that the airline will accommodate individuals with weakened immune systems or those who have concerns regarding mask-optional flights for any reason.

“We are collaborating with those customers . . . to explore alternative options, provide them with a credit, or if they decide they no longer wish to fly, [we are] indeed prepared to issue them a refund,” Kirby stated to NBC.

A United spokesperson mentioned that customers, except for those on the lowest-tier “basic economy” fares, can postpone their travel plans for any reason without incurring additional charges. He advised passengers with unique situations to reach out to the airline’s customer service.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom remarked on Thursday that the airline has not yet received many requests for refunds.

“However, as we do in all such situations, we are reviewing our policies and . . . encouraging them to contact our reservations department, and we will ensure that we accommodate them suitably,” Isom commented.

An American Airlines representative highlighted the airline's policy, which permits refunds for refundable tickets—typically more expensive—and credits for the value of unused nonrefundable tickets. However, individuals who purchased “basic economy” tickets after April 1 are not eligible for refunds or ticket changes.

A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines stated that customers looking to cancel a trip should reach out to the airline. He mentioned that decisions regarding these requests are evaluated individually.

Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, and Frontier did not respond to requests for comment.

On Thursday, the Justice Department announced its intention to appeal the Florida judge’s decision that nullified the mask mandate established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and enforced by the Transportation Security Administration.

However, by late Friday afternoon, the administration had yet to request an emergency stay of the Florida ruling from any court. Legal experts indicated that the White House seemed primarily focused on appealing the Florida ruling to prevent it from setting a precedent that could restrict the CDC’s authority to implement pandemic-related measures in the future.