Major U.S. airlines announced Monday that they would require passengers to make three “health acknowledgments” to fly during the current pandemic.
Members of Airlines for America (A4A), including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines will require passengers to complete a health acknowledgment during the check-in process.
The acknowledgments cover give assurances that the passenger will bring a face covering and wear it at the airport, on the jet bridge, and the aircraft; that the passenger is not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, including coughing, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, chills, muscle pain, sore throat or fever; and that the passenger has not had close contact with someone who has tested positive or had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
Passengers who fail to provide the health acknowledgment or refuse to complete one may be deemed unfit to travel.
“Health assessments prior to air travel are just one more important measure in our multi-layered approach to help mitigate risk and prioritize the wellbeing of passengers and employees,” said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. “We want passengers to know that they should expect to see this added layer of protection the next time they check in for a flight.”
The organization said its members will also enforce face-covering requirements, as well as adjusting policies to limit onboard interaction and increase cleaning and disinfecting.