Flying JetBlue? You’ll have to wear a mask while traveling starting May 4

BOSTON — If you’re flying on JetBlue, you will be required to wear a face covering during travel starting on May 4, the airline announced Monday.

The policy comes after the airline began requiring all crew members to wear face coverings while working.

JetBlue says it modeled its policy on the Centers for Disease Control guidelines that recommend all individuals should wear a face covering in public to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

“Wearing a face covering isn’t about protecting yourself; it’s about protecting those around you,” Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer of JetBlue, said in a statement. “This is the new flying etiquette. Onboard, cabin air is well circulated and cleaned through filters every few minutes but this is a shared space where we have to be considerate of others. We are also asking our customers to follow these CDC guidelines in the airport as well.”

The new policy will require customers to wear a face covering over their nose and mouth throughout their journey, including during check-in, boarding, while in flight and getting off the plane.

Customers will be reminded of this requirement before their flight via email and at the airport, the airline said. Small children who are not able to maintain a face covering are exempt from this requirement.

Since late March, JetBlue has limited the number of seats available for sale on most flights, allowing the airline to provide additional space between passengers who are not traveling together.

To learn about all the additional measures JetBlue has implemented, visit here.