Are masks still required in US airports?

Southwest informs travelers that while federal law no longer requires that masks be worn in the airport or on the airplane, “you're always welcome to wear a mask while traveling if you prefer to—if you need one at the airport or onboard, we'll have them ready.”



People Also Ask

Masks are now optional at the airports and welcome for all who choose to wear them: Know your Way Around. Check our interactive airport maps, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, before you arrive at the airport.

MORE DETAILS

Most major airlines around the world have dropped mask mandates as of 2023. What is this? Some of the biggest airlines that do NOT require masks (except in limited cases where the country of origin or final destination may require it) are: Delta Air Lines.

MORE DETAILS

A study by MIT scholars estimates that from mid-2020 through early 2021, the probability of getting Covid-19 on an airplane surpassed 1 in 1,000 on a totally full flight lasting two hours at the height of the early pandemic, roughly December 2020 and January 2021.

MORE DETAILS

You'll definitely want to bring your own masks. Any masks available for folks at airports or on board are likely to be paper masks; the CDC recommends high quality masks or respirators during travel. Respirators are masks labeled as N95s or KN95s, which provide a tighter fit and better filtration.

MORE DETAILS

Keep your coughs at minimum by either popping cough drops as needed or taking cough medicine before you take off. Decongestants are also a good idea for that runny nose. Little Kleenex packets are available at most airports and could save your nose as well.

MORE DETAILS

As of February 2023, masks are not required in airports or while on board aircraft, and non-U.S. citizens are no longer required to show proof of being fully vaccinated before boarding their flight to the U.S. Read the CDC's guidelines for non-U.S. citizen travel to the United States.

MORE DETAILS