United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has said that the airline will offer refunds and credit to passengers who don't want to fly without a mask mandate. United is one of several US airlines to make masks optional after a judge struck down the federal mask mandate this week.

United passengers offered refunds and flight credits

After a federal judge struck down the US mask mandate on Monday, United Airlines will offer refunds and flight credits to passengers who no longer want to fly.

While many are relieved at the removal of the mask mandate, others with serious health concerns may still want to avoid public transportation if masks are no longer mandatory.

United CEO Scott Kirby said,

"All of our customers should feel free to wear a mask and many of them are. For customers like that, that are immunocompromised or that have other concerns or issues, we are working with those customers if they really don't want to fly."

United said that travelers seeking a credit or refund do not need a reason to change or cancel their flight, such as being immunocompromised. Customers are advised to call customer service for more information.

Refunds may not be an option with every booking, with United spokesperson Josh Freed stating that "most ticket types allow customers to apply their fare to travel through the end of 2023."

Airplanes are "the safest place you can be"

CEO Kirby has long supported the idea that airplane cabins are extremely safe due to onboard HEPA filters. Additionally, Kirby believes it is doubtful that mask mandates will ever return, claiming that the Justice Department's appeal "is mostly about jurisdiction."

United Getty Airport
Photo: Getty Images

Kirby said,

"The science really indicates - and we helped work on the studies - that an airplane, particularly due to the airflow, is literally the safest place you can be indoors and be around other people."

Onboard filters remove around 99.97% of particles in the air, creating a clean and safe breathing environment for passengers.

The United CEO added that the world should treat COVID as an endemic virus and shift its policies accordingly.

Kirby claimed,

"COVID is going to be with us, it's going to be endemic and it's going to be here a long time, but we're learning to live with that, including in airports, in restaurants or at sporting events."

Discover more aviation news with Simple Flying.

Will other airlines do the same?

Other US airlines have offered their policies regarding passengers seeking refunds or credit.

  • Alaska Airlines said it would "work with guests on a case-by-case basis if they’re not comfortable flying."
  • American Airlines won't offer refunds to regular passengers who are uncomfortable flying without masks.
  • Delta Air Lines has yet to release a statement.
  • Southwest Airlines will continue to allow all passengers to cancel tickets in exchange for flight credit.
United Getty
US carriers believed the COVID testing requirement unnecessarily restricted international travel. Photo: Getty Images

As Simple Flying reported this week, passengers banned for not wearing masks will be allowed back on United flights. However, this will be on a case-by-case basis.

Airlines oversaw a huge rise in unruly behavior during the federal mask mandate, with the FAA investigating over 1,000 unruly passengers over 2021. Of the 5,981 passenger incidents it received, over 70% were related to masks.

Will you be looking for a refund after the mask mandate was removed? Do you think airlines should offer refunds for this reason? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Business Insider