Airports And Masks: Do Us Travel Rules Still Require Face Coverings?

As of February 2023, masks are no longer required in US airports or on board aircraft, and non-US citizens are also no longer required to show proof of vaccination before boarding their flight to the US. However, the CDC still recommends that travellers wear masks throughout their journey. Some airports, such as Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York City, still have mask mandates in place.

Do JFK and LaGuardia airports still require masks?

Overview

As of April 2022, masks are no longer required in airports or on board aircraft in the US. However, Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are two major exceptions to this rule.

JFK and LaGuardia Airport Mask Requirements

In April 2022, a federal judge in Florida struck down the US airline mask mandate, and the White House said it would no longer enforce it. However, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which governs JFK and LaGuardia airports, said that the mask mandate remains in effect at these airports due to local health guidance. This means that, as of April 2022, masks are still required at JFK and LaGuardia airports, causing confusion for some travellers.

Mask Requirements on Airlines

As of April 2022, most major US airlines, including United, Delta, and American, have removed their own face mask mandates. However, some airlines, such as Air France and Lufthansa, will continue to require masks for all passengers on board flights due to local regulations.

While mask mandates have been lifted in most US airports and on many US airlines, Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are notable exceptions, and masks are still required at these airports as of April 2022.

Do US airlines still require masks?

As of April 2022, most US airlines have dropped their mask mandates. This comes after a federal judge in Florida struck down the US airline mask mandate, which had been in place for over two years. The ruling was made as COVID-19 cases were in decline, and many people had already stopped wearing masks.

However, the CDC still recommends that travellers wear masks, and some airlines are still enforcing the use of masks onboard. For example, Air France and Lufthansa will continue to require masks for all passengers, and masks are also required on other Lufthansa group carriers, including Austrian and Brussels Airlines. Masks are also required on some international flights, such as those to France and Germany.

Some US airports have also kept their mask mandates in place, including John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York City. However, the majority of major airports, including those in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta, have dropped their mandates.

While masks are no longer required on most US airlines and in many airports, it is still recommended to wear a mask in crowded or tight spaces with poor ventilation, such as on aeroplanes when the ventilation system is off.

Do international flights to/from the US still require masks?

As of February 2023, masks are no longer mandated in US airports or on board aircraft. However, the CDC still recommends that travellers wear masks throughout their journey.

Some airlines, such as Delta, have updated their policies to make masks optional for employees and customers inside US airports and on domestic flights. However, masks may still be required on international flights, depending on the arrival country's requirements. For example, Air France and Lufthansa continue to require masks for all passengers on board flights due to local regulations.

Some airports, such as Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City, still have mask mandates in place.

Therefore, it is important to check the specific requirements of your airline and the airports you will be travelling through before your flight.

Why did US airports drop the mask mandate?

On April 18, 2022, a federal judge in Florida struck down the U.S. airline mask mandate, which had been in place for over two years. Following this, most U.S. airlines and airports dropped their mask mandates. However, the White House is still urging Americans to wear masks, and they are still required in some areas.

The shift in policy came as COVID-19 infections were rising again in the U.S., with more than 400 people dying from the disease every day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it was continuing to study whether mask mandates are necessary, and the Biden administration stated that it may appeal against the court ruling, depending on the CDC's findings.

Some U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., quickly suspended mask requirements on public transportation and in other public spaces. However, others, such as New York City, Boston, and San Francisco, kept them in place. Two major exceptions to the rule change were New York City's JFK and LaGuardia airports, which still have mask mandates in place. The requirement was dropped at nearby Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Some regional airports, like those in Philadelphia, also maintained their mask mandates.

With the U.S. mandate no longer in force, many foreign carriers have also dropped masking requirements for U.S. flights. However, masks are still necessary on some international flights, particularly those travelling to destinations that require masks, such as France and Germany. Air France and Lufthansa, for example, will continue to require masks for all passengers onboard flights, citing local regulations.

In summary, the U.S. airport mask mandate was dropped following a federal judge's ruling in Florida, which caused a shift in policy across U.S. airlines and airports. While some areas and cities maintained their mask mandates, most followed the new guidance and dropped the requirement, leaving the decision to wear a mask up to individual preference.

Do US citizens still need to wear masks when travelling abroad?

As of February 2023, masks are no longer mandated in US airports or on board aircraft. However, the decision to wear a mask while travelling abroad is ultimately up to the traveller, as some may feel safer wearing one, especially in crowded areas. It is recommended that you check the requirements of your destination country, as some countries may still enforce mask mandates. For example, Air France and Lufthansa still require masks to be worn on board flights.

In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to study whether mask mandates are necessary, and the Biden administration has stated that it may appeal against the court ruling, depending on the CDC's findings. The White House is still urging Americans to wear masks, and they are still required in some areas, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, and public transportation in certain cities like New York, Boston, and San Francisco.

When travelling abroad, US citizens must comply with the document requirements of their destination country. It is recommended to make two copies of all travel documents in case of emergency and to leave one copy with a trusted contact. Staying up to date with vaccines is also recommended, including the flu vaccine and the RSV vaccine for those over 75 or over 60 with chronic conditions.

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