American and Southwest airlines will allow flight attendants to wear face masks on flights to protect themselves against catching the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Dallas-based Southwest Airlines, which has 16,000 flight attendants, told the group Monday that they could wear protective face masks while working with passengers. Fort Worth-based American Airlines made the rule change Sunday and will also allow flight attendants to wear gloves.
“While the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] isn’t recommending that airline crews wear masks, we understand many of our crew members are concerned and have asked about our mask policy,” said a statement from American Airlines spokesman Josh Freed. “As a result, we have adjusted our policy on a short-term basis as the situation evolves.”
American had previously allowed flight attendants to wear masks on some international flights but has since lifted the geographic restriction.
U.S. health officials have warned that face masks should be reserved for health professionals, but the coverings are increasingly common in public settings, particularly airports.
At Southwest, the move came a day after the Transport Workers Union Local 556 representing flight attendants asked for a variety of safety measures as the COVID-19 outbreak grows globally, said union spokesman Chad Kleibscheidel.
Southwest has also placed orders for medical-grade nitrile gloves to supplement the gloves flight attendants commonly use, said company spokesman Brian Parrish.
Delta and United airlines already allow flight attendants to wear face masks.
Face masks are just the first in a long line of health measure that flight attendants want to protect themselves from the virus.
In a video message to members, Local 556 president Lyn Montgomery said she asked Southwest to check the temperature of crew members and passengers before every flight and increase the number of cleanings of planes. The union is also asking for the airline to block off the front and back rows to prevent congestion around restrooms and ground airplanes that don’t have personal protective equipment.
“These are extreme measures needed for extreme times,” Montgomery said.
American Airlines has had three employees removed from work due to reported coronavirus illnesses. Southwest said Monday that some of its workers also have tested positive, but it didn’t specify how many or what jobs they hold.
Southwest, American and other airlines have been cutting back on services as a way to increase social distancing in the confined quarters of a commercial jet. Southwest has already ended drink service on flights and is only offering packaged snacks.
Still, Southwest has said the company has seen a dramatic drop in capacity on flights. The airline recently announced that it was cutting 1,000 flights a day, nearly 25% of its schedule, through April 14.
American last week said it would be cutting 30% of its flights in April and looking at more cuts in May, along with cutting 75% of its international flights.
Alaska Airlines on Monday said it was stopping hot towel service and its practice of sorting recyclables to reduce touching passenger-handled items.
