Female and male passengers wearing facemasks during the flight.
Delta is tightening regulations for mask-wearing on its flights and released a statement this week that masks with exhaust valves are no longer allowed on their aircrafts. “Any mask with an exhaust valve is not approved as an acceptable face mask for customers traveling on any Delta operated flight,” the Delta website now states.
Masks with exhaust valves are intended for use in industrial environments like construction to avoid inhaling material particles, however they do not prevent the spread of virus particles. The exhaust allows virus particles to escape the mask which means that if you have COVID-19, you can spread the disease while wearing the mask.
So, what type of mask should you wear? A simple cloth mask that covers your nose and mouth at all times suffices. If you’re not sure about your mask then Delta also provides masks to wear.
Additionally, plastic face shields do not suffice as face coverings. They can be worn in addition to a nose and mouth-covering mask but not on its own.
It’s important to know that masks are required from end to end traveling with Delta. You will be required to wear a mask during lobby check-in, Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges and of course, on board.
While earlier this year there were fewer regulation about wearing masks on flights, all airlines now require them on their flights. Airlines are banning customers who refuse to wear masks and also cracking down on those who incorrectly claim to have health conditions preventing them from wearing masks.
“Any false claims of a disability or health condition to obtain an exemption from wearing a mask or face covering may result in the suspension of travel privileges on any Delta flight for the duration of the mask/face covering requirement,” the Delta website states.
Delta has banned over 100 passengers from flying and placed them on a no-fly list for the duration of the mask requirement. Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated “If you board the plane and you insist on not wearing your mask, we will insist that you don’t fly Delta in the future.”
Other airlines have also tightened their mask policies this month. United Airlines announced that passengers will be required to wear masks in the 360 airports where the airline operates at customer service counters, kiosks and on flights. American Airlines has also created a mask-related no-fly list but has not stated how many passengers the list has included thus far.
People refusing to wear masks on flights have also become an online phenomenon with other passengers denouncing their actions and posting their actions on platforms including Facebook, Twitter or TikTok. Overarchingly most passengers are complying with mask requirements to protect themselves and others during air travel.
The COVID-19 crisis is far from over in the United States — yesterday both Florida and California posted record fatalities. As masks are now an established way to prevent the spread of the disease, it only makes sense for airlines to tighten regulations around mask-wearing. Masks with exhaust valves do not prevent the spread of virus particles and will therefore no longer allowed on Delta flights. Simple cloth masks are fine for the airline and when in doubt Delta will provide a mask to you.
