JetBlue announced that it will soon be mandating that all passengers wear some form of face covering while flying, becoming the first major American airline to do so.
President and CEO of JetBlue Joanna Geraghty said the new policy, which will begin on May 4, is about protecting other passengers and being considerate of fellow travelers.
“Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself, it’s about protecting those around you,” Geraghty said. “This is the new flying etiquette. Onboard, cabin air is well circulated and cleaned through filters every few minutes, but this is a shared space where we have to be considerate of others.”
“We are also asking our customers to follow these CDC guidelines in the airport as well,” she added.
The airline is also requiring all crew members to wear similar coverings while on the job.
Airline and travel businesses have taken an enormous hit since the coronavirus pandemic began, with domestic travel at record lows. The industry is looking to open back up from the downturn as states across the country eye ways to begin reopening their economies and easing lockdown restrictions.
The United States has recorded nearly 1 million cases of the coronavirus and more than 56,000 deaths, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University.
