Many U.S. airlines are no longer requiring masks on their flights after a federal judge in Florida ruled against the CDC’s national mask mandate on Monday.
The original mandate was first issued on January 29, 2021, however, after the recent court order, the CDC will no longer enforce masks to be worn on public transportation and at transportation hubs in the U.S.
The mandate lift pertains to all passengers and flight employees. The TSA had originally planned to extend the Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring masks on public transportation and transportation hubs through May 3, 2022, however, their recent statement from April 18th, 2022 in regards to the new ruling can be read below:
TSA will no longer enforce its Security Directives and Emergency Amendment requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs. TSA will also rescind the new Security Directives that were scheduled to take effect tomorrow. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.
These U.S. airlines are no longer requiring masks on their flights:
American Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Delta
Frontier Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
JetBlue Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
Though the ruling was for public transportation and transportation hubs nationwide, the MTA is still enforcing mask requirements, and Amtrak and NJ Transit are still encouraging masks to be worn, reports NBC New York.
“The mask requirement on public transit in NY remains in effect for now pursuant to a March 2, 2022 determination by the New York State Department of Health,” Tim Minton, MTA Communications Director told News 4 New York.
As for Amtrak and NJ Transit, riders are encouraged to proceed with their personal preference in regards to wearing a mask onboard.
.@TSA announced that it'll no longer enforce a mask mandate in public transportation settings. Masks will no longer be required on @NJTRANSIT & by South Jersey Transportation Authority. Individuals may wear a mask based on personal preference, informed by personal level of risk.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 19, 2022