Alaska Airlines announced Tuesday that any passenger who repeatedly refuses to comply with the airline’s mandatory mask policy while on board could suspend their future travel.
Flight attendants can now issue a warning, in the form of a yellow card, which means the passenger’s trip will be reviewed and “could be suspended for a period,” the airline said in a statement. “It is a decision that would not be taken lightly.”
Tim Thompson, a spokesman for Alaska Airlines, said in an email that the hostesses could use their own judgment to decide how to respond in non-compliance cases.
“Our stewardesses will approach guests who do not wear a mask to learn more about their circumstances,” he said.
A blog post on the airline’s website explained why officials felt that stricter enforcement was needed.
“Overwhelmingly, those who fly with us understand and appreciate the importance of wearing masks,” the blog post said.
But there are also times when “our flight crews encounter times when some travelers ignore or disobey our mask requirement. It creates tension and anxiety for many of our passengers who have their facial covers. So a change is needed. “
At least two other major airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, have announced policies that passengers who refuse to wear masks are no longer allowed to fly with them.
Starting Tuesday, Alaska Airlines passengers will be asked at check-in “to sign a required health agreement to recognize and attest to your willingness to adhere to the mask policy.”
The masks will also be available upon request for passengers who forget theirs. Adjusting a mask while eating or drinking on board is fine, the airline said.
Exceptions will be made to the mask requirement for “children under 2 years of age; anyone with a medical problem that creates trouble breathing; anyone who cannot remove a mask without assistance; or anyone with a disability who avoids wearing a mask. “
“We realize that a piece of cloth in the nose and mouth is probably not the ideal way to travel,” said the blog post. “But if we all take that little step as we fly, we’ll be better in the long run.”
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