CONFIRMED: Mask mandate during air travel, other public transport will be extended until January
Editors' note: This post has been updated with a confirmation from TSA and a statement from Airlines for America.
The Transportation Security Administration confirmed to the Points Guy Tuesday evening that the federal government is extending a mask mandate on public transportation through January. The news was first reported by Reuters and CNBC, and confirmed by other TPG sources.
In a statement to TPG a spokesperson said, "TSA will extend the directives through January 18, 2022. The purpose of TSA's mask directive is to minimize the spread of COVID-19 on public transportation."
U.S. airlines were briefed on the planned extension on Tuesday morning, a source, who spoke on background because they were not permitted to discuss the topic with media, confirmed to TPG. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plan to announce the extension publicly later this week or early next, the source said.
The TSA is the agency that sets the mandate.
The current mask order was set shortly after the Biden administration took office in January, and has remained in place since. It requires face masks to be worn by travelers on all public forms of transportation, including airplanes, trains, buses, taxis, cruise ships and ferries, as well as at terminals such as airports and train stations.
The extension comes as cases rise and hospitals fill across the U.S., particularly in regions with low rates of vaccination, largely driven by the spread of the aggressive delta variant.
In May, the CDC backed off its indoor mask use guidance for vaccinated Americans, although the requirement remained in place for travel. The CDC has since reimposed guidance as breakthrough cases become more common.
"Right now for travel, we are asking people to continue to wear their masks," CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in May. "We are going to be looking at all of our guidance and updating all of our guidance, including our travel guidance."
Over recent months, an increase in unruly passenger incidents aboard aircraft has been linked partly to the enforcement of the mask mandate, particularly as mask usage as become increasingly politicized.
U.S. airlines, through trade organization Airlines for America, said in a statement that they would continue to enforce the mandate.
"As they have done for months, U.S. airlines will comply with the federal mask mandate and strictly enforce this requirement in collaboration with the TSA and the FAA," the statement said.
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, praised the expected extension of the mask mandate on Tuesday.
More: What to know about COVID-19 vaccines in the US
"We have a responsibility in aviation to keep everyone safe and do our part to end the pandemic, rather than aid the continuation of it. Air travel is one of the most controlled indoor spaces with layers of safety protocols that make it possible to serve our communities," Nelson said in a statement.
"Administrator Pekoske's decision in coordination with the Biden administration to continue the TSA enforcement directive for the CDC transportation mask mandate will help tremendously to keep passengers and aviation workers safe," she added, referring to TSA head David Pekoske.
Caroline Tanner contributed reporting.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees