Face masks now optional on aircraft and in airports inside the U.S. – Four largest airlines drop mask requirement

The mask mandate has been overturned for passengers and crew members flying United States domestic routes. For the past 2 years, the wearing of face masks was mandatory much to the dismay of the ground staff and crew members who had to continuously monitor its use.

A judicial decision in the Federal Court of the United States has now ruled that the wearing of face masks is now optional in airports and onboard aircraft effective immediately.

US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle (nominated by Trump as the youngest judge in the federal circuit at age 33) said the mandate was unlawful because it exceeded the statutory authority of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and because its implementation violated administrative law.

The four largest U.S. airlines dropped their mask requirements for domestic flights after a judge struck down the federal mandate.

An official said that the Biden administration was still reviewing the decision and assessing whether to appeal it, and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still recommended that people wear masks in enclosed public transportation settings.