JetBlue Becomes First US Airline to Require Passengers Wear Masks

JetBlue Airways will require passengers to wear face masks or other face coverings beginning May 4, becoming the first U.S. airline to do so following The Association of Flight Attendants request.

JetBlue said its decision is based on guidelines from the CDC encouraging all individuals to wear a face covering in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. The airline has required that flight attendants wear masks since April 19, joining United, Frontier, Delta and American. Delta and American announced new policies on that front Monday.

“Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself it’s about protecting those around you,” Joanna Geraghty, JetBlue’s president and chief operating officer, said in a statement announcing the change. “This is the new flying etiquette. Onboard, cabin air is well circulated and cleaned through filters every few minutes but this is a shared space where we have to be considerate of others. We are also asking our customers to follow these CDC guidelines in the airport as well.”