Friday, June 26, 2020 | 10:49 a.m.
Allegiant Air passengers will soon be required to wear face masks both before and during flights, including at ticket counters, gate areas and during boarding. The new policy will begin on July 2.
The Las Vegas-based airline joins a number of other U.S.-based airlines including JetBlue, American, Delta, United and Southwest in making masks mandatory. Allegiant's new requirement comes on the heel of Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak's order this week requiring masks to be worn in all public places in the state, including McCarran International Airport.
Allegiant's mask policy is the latest in a set of health guidelines the airlines has implemented since the start of the pandemic, such as enhanced cleaning and infection technologies, and distribution of complimentary health and safety kits to passengers. Allegiant was the first U.S.-based airline to provide these kits, which include face masks and cleaning wipes.
Passengers can use their own face mask or covering when traveling or use one provided in the kit.
"We have found that the vast majority of customers wear masks as a standard practice, but this update adds a layer of assurance and addresses customer needs as communities reopen," said Scott Sheldon, Allegiant's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "We had hoped to see a federal mandate to require face masks, so that all airlines could be uniform in their approach, to avoid customer confusion, and to aid enforcement. In the absence of that, we are taking this next needed step in our own policy."
Children under 2 are exempt from the new policy, as are passengers with disabilities and documented medical conditions. Passengers may also briefly remove their masks to eat or drink.
Customers who do not comply with this new policy will not be allowed to fly.
In addition, customers will be notified if a flight they booked exceeds 65% capacity. If they aren’t comfortable with boarding a flight with that amount of passengers, they have the option of being rebooked on another flight.
