While all of the major US airlines now have rules that require passengers to wear face covers, Delta is winning a lot when it comes to clarifying its policy. Apparently, the airline has also been more compliant than other airlines.
Delta has banned more than 100 anti-maskers
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian appeared on the Today Show to describe what the travel experience is like today. I would say that the most interesting part of the interview was his claims about the application of the company’s facial mask policy.
Delta has been requiring passengers to wear masks on flights since early May. Initially, law enforcement was perhaps lax, given the rules’ vague wording, which allows exceptions for “people who cannot keep a face covered, including children.”
However, as the use of face masks has become more political, Delta has also intensified its application. Bastian claims that Delta has placed 100 people on its “no-fly list” for mask reasons, and says that if he insists on not wearing a mask, he insists that Delta not fly. As he explains:
We have been steadily and quite aggressively intensifying our application of the mask policy. You cannot board a Delta aircraft unless you have a mask. If you board the plane and insist not to wear a mask, we insist that Delta not fly in the future. We already have 100 people on that list. “
Frankly, I am surprised that so many passengers have been expelled from Delta for non-compliance with the mask. Please note that these are not people who did not wear a mask for a medical reason, as there have been a few exceptions. Rather, these are people who completely refused despite any claim of a medical problem, which is the only way one would end up banned for compliance with the mask.
Delta has banned 100 passengers for applying masks
Delta is intensifying the application of the mask even more
This revelation by Bastian follows the news from last week that Delta is significantly stepping up the enforcement of its mask policy for people who refuse to wear masks. Delta updated its website to encourage people with health problems or disabilities who explicitly prevent wearing a mask to reconsider travel.
In addition to that, anyone with a condition that prevents them from wearing a mask must report to the airport early to complete a “Clear to Fly” process, which could take over an hour. This process includes a virtual consultation with a healthcare professional, who will consider the circumstances and may make exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Delta no longer uses the “honor system” to wear masks. Any passenger making false claims about a disability or health condition to obtain an exemption may have travel privileges suspended on all Delta flights as long as the airline requires passengers to wear face masks.
Delta is stepping up its mask application
Bottom line
Delta leads the US airlines when it comes to applying the mask. Not only has the airline banned 100 passengers for mask “incidents,” but in the future, the airline requires anyone claiming a medical exemption to complete a health consultation before flying.
As the masks have become such a polarizing and political issue, I congratulate Delta for stating its policy so clearly.
Are you surprised that 100 people have already been expelled from Delta for masks?
