Air travel has never been the same since the pandemic. Passengers need to undergo strict health and safety protocols inside the airlines to make sure that everyone is safe before leaving the terminal.
From mandatory face masks to strict body temperature screenings, different airlines enforce guidelines for every traveler this year. Each airline also updated its onboard policies to make their passengers feel safer in the confined space of an airplane.
Let's take a look at these guidelines in detail.
New Airline Onboard Regulations
We've listed detailed information about the latest airline policies in this blog, too. This will help passengers know what to expect before booking their flight.
Take a look at their guidelines below:
American Airlines COVID-19 Policies
Travelers don't need to pay for ticket change fees if their flights are booked before September 8, 2020.
Social distancing on flights of American Airlines is not guaranteed, depending on the volume of passengers.
All passengers are required to wear a face mask. They can only remove it when eating or drinking. The only exceptions are young children and those suffering from breathing problems and other related health conditions.
For longer flights, snacks and sanitizers will be available for passengers.
Frontier Airlines COVID-19 Policies
Travelers can get a ticket refund within 24 hours of their booking and when they purchased the WORKS at initial booking.
Social distancing on flights of Frontier Airlines is not guaranteed, depending on the volume of passengers.
All passengers should wear a face mask while onboard, gate area, and ticket counter.
Non-invasive body temperature screening will be done to all passengers.
Alaska Airlines COVID-19 Policies
Travelers don't need to pay for ticket change fees if their flights are booked before July 31, 2020.
Social distancing on flights of Alaska Airlines is not guaranteed, depending on the volume of passengers. But agents can reassign seats to passengers that came together in groups.
Passengers above 12 years old are required to wear a face mask. They can only remove it when eating or drinking. The only exceptions are young children, those who can't remove the face mask themselves, those who have breathing problems, and other related health conditions.
Guests will be boarding from back to front. Hand sanitizer wipes will also be provided to passengers.
Hawaiian Airlines COVID-19 Policies
Travelers don't need to pay for ticket change fees if their flights are booked before August 31, 2020.
Middle seats are not available to encourage social distancing. Adjustments may be required for balance and weight restrictions, though.
All passengers are required to wear face masks. They can only remove it when eating or drinking.
A mandatory 14-day self-isolation quarantine is required for all travelers going to Hawaii. Boarding will be done from back to front. First-class passengers, on the other hand, can board at any time.
United Airlines COVID-19 Policies
Travelers don't need to pay for ticket change fees if their flights are booked before August 31, 2020.
Social distancing on flights of United Airlines is not guaranteed, depending on the volume of passengers. Regularly-scheduled flights can be changed if they are expected to be full.
All travelers need to wear a mask. The only exception is young children below 2 years old.
Deplaning in groups of five are allowed, and hand sanitizer wipes will be offered to passengers. Face masks are also available for free.
Delta Airlines COVID-19 Policies
Travelers don't need to pay for ticket change fees if their flights are booked between March 1 and August 31, 2020. This is valid for a year from the date of booking.
A capacity cap for each cabin will be enforced and the middle seats will not be available to promote social distancing.
The First Class cabin is capped at 50%, while Delta Comfort+ and Delta Premium Select are capped at 60%. Delta One with one isle should only have 50% capacity and 75% to cabins with two isles.
All passengers should wear face masks. Exceptions for those who can't keep a face mask on because of breathing problems or other health conditions.
All boarding will be done from the back to the front to prevent passenger contact and possible exposure.
JetBlue Airlines COVID-19 Policies
Travelers don't need to pay for ticket change fees if their flights are booked before September 8, 2020.
For large aircraft, the middle seats will be blocked to promote social distancing. Some seats of smaller aircraft will be blocked, too.
All travelers are required to wear face masks, from the check-in to deplaning procedures. Young children are not required to wear face masks.
Back-to-front boarding will be enforced. Disinfectants will be offered to passengers who need it.
Spirit Airlines COVID-19 Policies
Travelers don't need to pay for ticket change fees if their flights are booked before August 31, 2020.
Social distancing on flights of Spirit Airlines is not guaranteed, depending on the volume of passengers.
All travelers need to wear a mask. The exception is young children below 2 years old and those who can't wear face masks for too long.
Self bag-drop and bag-tag options are available for passengers.
Southwest Airlines COVID-19 Policies
No fees will be charged for flight changes unless the cancellation is done 10 minutes prior to departure.
Middle seats will be blocked until September 30 to encourage social distancing. Boarding takes place in groups of 10.
Face masks or other coverings are required for all passengers.
Hand sanitizer wipes will be provided onboard.
