United Airlines Will Investigate Non-Compliant Passengers

United Airlines announced that it will strengthen mandatory mask-wearing policies to further mitigate against the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus while flying.

United said in a press statement on June 15, 2020, this effort will ‘help continue to keep passengers and crew safe.’

United continued saying ‘While the overwhelming majority of passengers are complying with United's mandatory policy, starting on June 18, 2020, any passenger that does not comply when onboard a United flight will be placed on an internal travel restriction list.’

‘Customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review.’

However, United did not disclose in this press statement how impacted passengers would dispute the unilateral, travel ban classification.

United currently requires all passengers to wear a face-covering onboard its flights and expects that policy to remain in place for at least the next 60 days.

The only exceptions to this policy are individuals who have a medical condition or a disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering, those who cannot put on or remove a face covering themselves and small children. 

Customers are expected to wear a mask for the duration of the flight, except when eating or drinking.

United's Chief Customer Officer, Toby Enqvist, clarified this new policy: ‘Today's announcement is an unmistakable signal that we're prepared to take serious steps, if necessary, to protect our customers and crew.’

Under this new policy, if a flight attendant notices or is informed of a customer on board who is not wearing a face covering and that passenger does not fall within an exception, the flight attendant will proactively inform the customer that for the health and safety of everyone, face coverings are mandatory for all customers and crew on board. 

They will also offer to provide the customer with a mask if needed. 

If the customer continues to be non-compliant, flight attendants will do their best to de-escalate the situation, again inform the customer of United's policy, and provide the passenger with an In-Flight Mask policy reminder card. 

If a customer continues to not comply, the flight attendant will file a report of the incident, which will initiate a formal review process. 

Any final decision or actions regarding a customer's future flight benefits will not occur onboard but instead take place after the flight has reached its destination and the security team has investigated the incident.

"Carriers are stepping up enforcement of face coverings and implementing substantial consequences for those who do not comply with the rules," stated A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio, in a press release. 

"Face coverings are one of several public health measures recommended by the CDC as an important layer of protection for passengers and customer-facing employees."

In addition to requiring masks, United Airlines planes have HEPA grade filters that recirculate air every 2-3 minutes, and the airline is using electrostatic sprayers to disinfect the cabin before flights.

In addition to the onboard actions, United is asking customers to complete a health assessment at check-in, installing sneeze guards, and adjusting the boarding process. 

Please visit United CleanPlus program for full information.

Vax-Before-Travel publishes international travel news.