The US airline that now has the strictest mask policy may surprise you
One of the most effective ways to slow the spread of the coronavirus is by wearing a mask. If you're flying a major U.S. carrier, you don't even have a choice — either fly with a mask or risk being banned from that airline.
Without a federal mandate on masks during travel, airlines are scrambling to keep their policies current with what's thought to be best practices. It seems like policies are getting modified every few days, making it hard to keep track of the latest developments. (Fortunately, we have a handy guide to airline health and social distancing policies.)
Yet as the mask policies evolve, carriers continue to remove exceptions and add exclusions to the types of masks that aren't safe.
The latest update comes from Spirit Airlines, one of America's largest ultra low-cost carriers. Turns out, the Miramar, Florida-based airline now has the strictest mask policy of the major U.S. carriers.
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Spirit removes exceptions for wearing a mask
Wearing a mask on Spirit Airlines is no longer negotiable. You can't claim a medical exception, nor can you say that you have an underlying condition that prevents you from wearing a mask.
Effective Wednesday (Aug. 5), every Spirit passenger must wear a mask from check-in through baggage claim. The only exception to this policy is children under the age of 2. No one else will be permitted to fly with Spirit unless they're wearing a mask.
According to Spirit,
We decided to remove exemptions to further protect our Team Members and Guests onboard and give them greater peace of mind. Guests who travel with us and choose not to comply with our face covering requirement will lose future flight privileges with Spirit.
Following how airlines handle medical exceptions has been interesting. On the one hand, there are airlines like Spirit which aren't accepting medical exemptions as excuses. Spirit's take: If you can't wear a mask, don't fly. American Airlines and Southwest are also doing the same.
On the other hand, there's Delta. The Atlanta-based carrier pioneered an interesting workaround to medical exemptions. In order to fly Delta without a mask, you'll need to arrive at the airport over an hour before departure to have a medical consultation with one of the airline's doctors. You'll only be allowed to fly without a mask after receiving an exception for the Delta doctor. Otherwise, you won't be allowed to board, and your ticket will be refunded.
Flying with children can be stressful. Adding mask requirements to the equation only make it harder. With Spirit, as well as AA and Southwest, no child is exempt from the mask requirement. Only infants under the age of 2 are OK.
Related: Does my child need to wear a face mask while traveling?
Spirit defines masks that can fly
The latest trend we've seen is airlines defining what exactly constitutes an acceptable face covering.
At the outset, carriers just said that you need to cover your nose and mouth. But then, airlines started to clamp down on masks that weren't fully effective.
Last week, Delta became the first carrier to ban masks with valves. Why? The exhaust from the mask flows freely into the environment, which doesn’t help protect others from your sneezes or coughs.
Delta’s move to ban these types of masks makes sense — and Spirit is now adopting the same policy.
Effective Aug. 5, all masks must have at least two layers of fabric. In addition, the following coverings will no longer be accepted as masks on Spirit:
- Open-chin triangle bandanas
- Face coverings containing valves or mesh material
- Face shields (note that face shields may be worn in addition to an acceptable face covering)
Planes are tight spaces. Even with hospital-grade HEPA filters, the mask policy helps limit the spread of respiratory droplets that can carry the coronavirus. But by wearing a mask with a built-in valve or one with an open-chin bandana, flyers could unintentionally be spreading the virus to others. That's why Spirit is getting serious about what masks are acceptable.
Related: Why I hope every single airline follows Delta's latest mask move
Enforcement is hard
Enforcing mask policies is hard. Much of the burden is placed on gate agents and on flight attendants, whose primary job is to ensure your safety, not mask compliance.
That's why Spirit has double-downed on the mask policy. With a stronger policy, enforcement is easier. No one except infants can claim an exemption, nor can people try using masks that aren't helpful in preventing the spread.
Related: Delta has banned more than 100 passengers for not wearing a mask
Bottom line
It may come as a surprise, but Spirit Airlines now has the strictest mask policy of any major U.S. carrier.
There are no longer exceptions to the rule. Unless you're an infant, you've got to wear a mask. Additionally, the carrier is cracking down on masks that are ineffective at preventing the spread of the virus.
It's only a matter of time until all airlines do this too.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.