Masks No Longer Required on U.S. Flights

The mask mandate for all flights originating in the United States, due to expire on May 3rd, came to a sudden and swift end on Monday, April 18th, after Florida Middle District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle deemed the order unlawful due to lack of mandate reasoning. The judge’s order essentially ends the requirement for all U.S. passengers and airline staff. While this order applies to the Federal mask mandate, masks could be required based on local ordinances and could differ traveling to and from various international locations. Say Yes to Travel’s Sarah Dandashy said the reaction from the airline industry was swift.

“Later that day, a lot of the airlines came out to say they were now making masks optional,” said Dandashy. “We’re talking about United, America, Delta, Spirit, Alaska. All the major airlines within the United States have gone out, and announced masks are now optional.”

The hospitality and travel industries have been hit hard by the pandemic during the past couple of years. Many in the industry see the ending of mask mandates as one of the final hurdles in getting people to travel again with more frequency. “Everyone within the travel industry, certainly those within the U.S., is having this big relief,” Dandashy said. “This is a big mile marker for feeling like we’re getting on the other side of the pandemic.”

No longer required doesn’t mean any masks at all. Masks are still optional, and many travelers may feel more comfortable wearing masks when they fly. The Biden administration announced late Wednesday, April 20th they’ve appealed Judge Mizelle’s decision. While the decision to appeal may affect health decisions in the future, current guidelines will stand unless an appeals court grants a stay. People are now free to move about the cabin with or without their N95s. Either way, the optimism that traveling is back is palpable.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

authentic connections
True Religion Sets the Bar for Legacy Brands Seeking Cultural Relevance and Authentic Connections
November 1, 2024

A striking 86% of consumers now prioritize authenticity when choosing which brands to support, emphasizing the value of transparency, authentic connections, and relevance in today’s market. True Religion, remains true to its roots in culture, sports, and music, through authentic partnerships and a modern approach to style. Leading this transformation, Chief Marketing Officer Kristen…

Read More
sustainable transformation
The Path to Sustainable Transformation Is Rooted in Strategy, Execution and Reflection
November 1, 2024

Many strive for change, yet achieving and sustaining it is a complex journey. As people chase higher goals, often in career, personal growth, or relationships, the need to reevaluate approaches to sustainable transformation becomes apparent. Research suggests that nearly 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February, indicating a need for sustainable systems, not…

Read More
cloud-based solutions
C3 Cloud-Based Solutions Delivers Real-Time Transparency, Driver Coordination, and Simulation Tools for a Resilient Supply Chain
October 31, 2024

The logistics industry faces constant challenges as the need for efficient, cloud-based solutions intensifies. Many warehouses continue to operate manually; up to 53% of employee time is spent on non-value-adding tasks like walking and searching for items, according to industry studies. This manual approach not only hampers efficiency but leads to significant delays, errors,…

Read More
personalized solutions
Personalized Solutions Through Data Are the Future of Aligning Healthcare Staff Needs with Patient Outcomes
October 31, 2024

The healthcare industry faces unprecedented challenges, with workforce shortages pushing hospital labor costs to over 60% of total expenses. This strain is compounded by rising burnout rates among healthcare providers, particularly nurses. A recent AMN Healthcare survey revealed that nurses are prioritizing well-being and flexibility in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for personalized solutions…

Read More