As face masks have become a flight essential while traveling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have implemented specific rules as to which face coverings are deemed acceptable for flying.
While most cloth masks are generally allowed in public places throughout the United States, several domestic airlines including Delta, United, Southwest, and American, do not allow face coverings like bandanas and scarves.
Below is a list of masks that are banned from specific U.S. airlines, along with their respective websites.
Delta:
BandanasScarvesMasks with slits, punctures, holes,Masks with exhaust valves
United:
Bandanas Masks with exhaust valvesSingular face shield
Southwest:
BandanasScarves Ski masks BalaclavasSingle layer masksMasks with slits, exhalation valves, or puncturesSingular face shield Shirt or sweater collars
American Airlines:
BandanasBalaclavasScarvesSki masks Face covers with exhaust valves or ventsFace covers made of mesh or lace type fabric Gaiters
Hawaiian Airlines
ScarvesSki masksBalaclavasMasks with vents, mesh, slits, exhalation valves, punctures, or other obviously transparent cloth coverings
JetBlue
Masks connected to tubing or battery-operated filters
Currently, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has mandated that masks be worn on all public transportation, including in airports, until at least March 18, 2022. The mandate was first implemented in January and has been continually extended.
Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she’s not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
As face masks have become a flight essential while traveling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines have implemented specific rules as to which face coverings are deemed acceptable for flying.
While most cloth masks are generally allowed in public places throughout the United States, several domestic airlines including Delta, United, Southwest, and American, do not allow face coverings like bandanas and scarves.
Below is a list of masks that are banned from specific U.S. airlines, along with their respective websites.
Delta:
- BandanasScarvesMasks with slits, punctures, holes,Masks with exhaust valves
United:
- Bandanas Masks with exhaust valvesSingular face shield
Southwest:
- BandanasScarves Ski masks BalaclavasSingle layer masksMasks with slits, exhalation valves, or puncturesSingular face shield Shirt or sweater collars
American Airlines:
- BandanasBalaclavasScarvesSki masks Face covers with exhaust valves or ventsFace covers made of mesh or lace type fabric Gaiters
Hawaiian Airlines
- ScarvesSki masksBalaclavasMasks with vents, mesh, slits, exhalation valves, punctures, or other obviously transparent cloth coverings
JetBlue
- Masks connected to tubing or battery-operated filters
Currently, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has mandated that masks be worn on all public transportation, including in airports, until at least March 18, 2022. The mandate was first implemented in January and has been continually extended.
Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she’s not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
