President of Flight Attendant Union Calls for Federal Mask Mandate on Planes

President of the International Association of Flight Attendants Sara Nelson is calling for a federal mask mandate requiring passengers to wear face coverings on airplanes.

When Nelson appeared on CNN Sunday she expressed deep concern about the frequent problem airlines face regarding passengers’ refusal to wear masks. She also noted leadership’s impact on the negative narrative surrounding face coverings.

“Well, unfortunately, we’re seeing a rise of people who are refusing to wear the masks,” Nelson said, adding, “And that has a lot to do with the leadership and the sort of narrative that is being put out from the leadership in our government that this is about a political decision rather than a public health decision.”

See Nelson’s remarks below:

Nelson called for a federal mask mandate similar to the law and consequence in place to prohibit passengers from smoking on planes.

“But really we should have a federal mandate for everyone to wear a mask,” Nelson added. “Just like we have a federal mandate that you cannot smoke on a flight because it threatens everyone else’s safety and health.”

Nelson also noted that although passengers are being banned from flights for their refusal to wear masks, a mask mandate would come with consequences to hold passengers accountable which would make it easier to mitigate the spread of the virus on planes.

“But if we had a federal mandate, we would also have the backing of consequences, felonies, and fines that would come with this action,” Nelson said.

She continued, “This is what happens in aviation. We have to come to door of the airplane with the spirit that we’re all in this together for us to get safely from one place to another. … And in this case, all have to wear a mask for all of us to be safe.”

Nelson’s remarks come weeks American Airlines announced it would be filling its planes to capacity, as previously reported on IJR. According to the airline’s latest announcement, passengers over the age of two are required to wear masks while onboard on planes.