JetBlue to require all passengers to wear face masks while flying, other airlines will provide masks

JetBlue announced on Monday that it will require passengers to wear face masks on flights, in an effort to combat the spread of coronavirus. The policy will go into effect on May 4.

“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,” said company President and CEO Joanna Geraghty.

American Airlines announced Monday that it will provide masks and sanitizing wipes to passengers, though the masks are not a requirement. Delta Air lines will do the same.

It is unclear whether JetBlue will provide masks to their customers or expect them to come equipped.

The airline industry has been hit especially hard by the pandemic, with flight patterns in March down roughly 90% from the same time last year.