United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said the airline will be flexible with people who have compromised immune systems or concerns about the mask-free policy, for whatever reason.
"We are working with customers to find solutions, giving them the freedom to choose. If customers no longer want to fly, we will refund," Mr. Kirby told NBC.
Another United Airlines representative said that economy class passengers will be allowed to reschedule their flights at any time without paying an additional fee. However, business class passengers or passengers with special situations will need to contact customer service to resolve the issue.
The US is noted as the first country showing signs of tourism recovery to pre-pandemic levels, with air ticket sales in February 2022 exceeding the same period in 2019.
Meanwhile, Mr. Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines, said that the airline has not received many requests for flight changes or refunds from customers after the mask-free policy took effect.
“In situations like this, our process always ensures that passengers contact the reservation department as soon as possible. We can meet the needs of customers in the most reasonable way,” Mr. Isom shared.
However, according toafar,The current airline policy is still ineffective. To get a refund, customers have to spend more money to buy airline tickets - this will increase the price of the ticket many times. In addition, passengers who buy tickets from the beginning of April will not enjoy this refund policy.
Airlines in the US gradually remove mask wearing regulations - Photo: AP.
On April 19, a federal judge in California (USA) justabolish the regulation on wearing maskswhen flying, effective immediately. However, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to extend the mask law until May 3. The organization wants more time to study the BA.2 omicron variant.
The new mask policy has been controversial, with airlines keen to phase out masks as soon as possible. Meanwhile, most public transportation in New York requires passengers to wear masks.
