American Airlines will require flight attendants to wear protective face masks starting May 1 as part of the effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Fort Worth-based carrier said Monday it will also start distributing face masks and sanitizing wipes to customers boarding airplanes. It joins United Airlines, which said last week that it would require flight attendants to wear face masks.
“Our team members on the front line are truly going above and beyond during this time,” said Kurt Stache, American’s senior vice president of customer experience. “Their commitment is nothing short of incredible and we will continue to work with them to make sure they have the equipment they need to feel safe.”
The flight attendants union at American Airlines has been pushing for increased access to personal protective equipment such as masks, saying they need about 800,000 masks a month for scheduled flying. Union leaders have been concerned that flight attendants are at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 and to spreading the virus among passengers.
Several groups, including consumer advocacy organization Flyersrights, also have been prodding airlines to require them among all passengers and in airports. Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants union, said Monday on social media that anyone on a plane should be wearing personal protective equipment and only essential travel should be allowed.
Face masks on airplanes have been a growing concern in recent days as governors across the country start to discuss easing the restrictions to stop COVID-19. Airlines have also shrunk flight schedules to better match passenger demand, making some planes more crowded.
American said it also will more thoroughly cleanse planes between flights, the kind of cleaning previously reserved for overnight crews. That includes wiping down all armrests, tray tables and handles on overhead bins. The airline has been cleaning kiosks and stanchions in airports more frequently, too.
American has been allowing flight attendants to wear face masks since late March, but until recently had trouble securing them because worldwide supplies are low.
Earlier this month, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants disclosed that more than 100 of its members had a positive diagnosis for COVID-19, along with 41 pilots.
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