Alaska Airlines is tightening mask requirements. Alaska requires all customers to wear masks at all times. Passengers may remove masks for short periods of time when eating and drinking only. Otherwise, if flying or in the airport mask on, all the times. This builds on Alaska Airlines yellow card policy which empowers flight attendants to place guests on a no fly list until further review. No longer will medical exemptions be allowed for customers. This policy is effective immediately, from August 7, 2020.
Alaska’s new policy requires all guests 2 years and older to wear a cloth mask or face covering. The mask must cover their nose and mouth with zero exceptions. If any guest is unwilling to wear a mask after boarding their flight, they will be removed from the aircraft. If the passenger refuses to wear the mask during flight, they will receive a yellow card and all future travel will cease.
Under the new policy, Alaska is also banning masks with exhaust valves. Although these valves are great for those wearing the mask, those valves open to allow guests to spew their germs into the air with zero filtration. These masks are meant for construction workers or miners, not the general public.
Alaska Airlines Acceptable face coverings:
- Face coverings must be made from a cloth or other barrier material that prevents the discharge and release of respiratory droplets from a person’s nose or mouth.
Unacceptable face coverings:
- Face coverings with direct exhaust valves.
- Masks or Face coverings that do not cover a guest’s nose and mouth.
- Face shields without masks.
[Source Images: 3M, snake3d/iStock]
Alaska Puts Safety First
Alaska is making these changes to protect their front line workers and customers. If needed, Alaska will give you a mask. In addition, each guest also receives a single use sani-wipe. Changes across the airport and entire Alaska system are to keep everyone flying safe. The Alaska Lounge experience has been redefined. Service has been reduced onboard. Flying as we know it, is different. Finally, Alaska is blocking the middle seats through October 31, 2020. As Alaska says, Mind your wingspan. Even when onboard!
We all need to look out for each other during this health emergency, and the best way we can do that – and prevent the spread of the virus – is to simply wear a mask or face covering when we’re around each other,” said Max Tidwell, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of safety and security. “Safety remains priority number one for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Our tougher policy shows how important this issue is to us and our guests. If you don’t wear a mask, you won’t be flying with us.”
Recently, nearly 100 actions have been implemented to keep guests and employees safe. Flyers must sign-off on a health agreement at check-in to acknowledge and attest to their willingness to adhere to the mask requirement. Other layers of safety include: enhanced cleaning of our planes in between every flight; hospital-grade HEPA air filters; an air filtration system that circulates fresh, outside air into the cabin every three minutes; limited onboard service to reduce interactions; hand-sanitizing stations throughout the journey and more, all a part of Alaska’s commitment to Next-Level Care.
Flying has forever changed. For now, pack your mask and be ready to use it.
