How to Choose the Right Face Mask for Flight so You Don’t Get Collapsed
Face masks are now indispensable travel accessories. Even in the few months when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for the use of home masks were relaxed, they were always required on flights. Now faced with an option that is easier to pass than previous ones (Delta, not an airline), several airlines are imposing stricter requirements on face masks worn on their flights.
The last thing you need right now is to show up at the airport and cancel your flight because you have the wrong type of mask. These rules are constantly changing, but here’s what we know so far from Alison Fox’s Travel + Leisure article .
Face masks on flights will be around for a while
Earlier this week, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended the current federal mandate to use masks until January 2022 . This means that protective masks are required on all forms of public transport, including airplanes and airports. And of course, there is always the possibility of another extension after January 2022.
Airlines that now have stricter mask rules
Here’s a breakdown of what we’ve heard from several different airlines about mask requirements:
- Delta Air Lines prohibits the wearing of bandanas, scarves, masks with vent valves and any masks with slits, punctures or holes.
- United Airlines prohibits wearing bandanas and requires wearing a real face mask, not just a face shield.
- In the southwest , bandanas, scarves, ski masks, balaclavas and single-layer masks are prohibited.
- American Airlines prohibits the use of balaclavas, bandanas, exhaust valves, scarves, and gaiters.
- JetBlue prohibits the use of battery-powered snorkeling or filter masks.
- Hawaiian Airlines prohibits the use of scarves, ski masks, balaclavas and bandanas.
- Finn Air bans the use of cloth face masks and now only accepts surgical masks, FFP2 or FFP3 respirator masks without valve and N95 mask.
- Air France prohibits the use of fabric masks and masks with exhaust valves and requires medical masks.
- Lufthansa prohibits the use of fabric masks and masks with vent valves and requires medical masks.
- LATAM Airlines prohibits the use of cloth and reusable face masks on domestic flights within Chile, requiring three-layer surgical masks, KN95 or N95 masks. International passengers connecting in Lima must also wear double masks, even if they never leave the plane.
Regardless of the airline, it is a good idea to check their camouflage requirements at this stage on the day of your flight to be safe.