Airlines have been called out for their loose travel requirements during Covid-19. In fact, many airlines have been caught deceiving passengers in an attempt to get them to fly during a pandemic. But recently stepping up is United Airlines, which has a new Covid safety policy, and passengers will not be able to book a flight if they fail four requirements.
Last week, United Airlines unveiled a Covid policy that will now require passengers to complete a “health self-assessment” as part of its check-in process. In the same way passengers are asked about packing unsafe and hazardous materials while they book their flight, United passengers must declare whether they have been exposed to Covid-19 in the airline’s new “ready to fly” checklist.
The “Ready To Fly” checklist will appear during the booking process on United Airlines’ website or app. The four requirements passengers must Accept include:
1. You must wear a face covering while on board for the safety of everyone.
2. Have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 21 days. Have not experienced any of the following symptoms in the past 14 days (excludes symptoms from a pre-existing condition)
3. Have not had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
4. Have not been denied boarding by another airline due to a medical screening for a communicable disease in the last 14 days.
What happens if you fail at least one of these requirements per United Airlines’ Covid policy?
“Customers that are not able to confirm these requirements and choose not to travel will be able to reschedule their flight,” according to the release.
Update: As of last week, United is enforcing the face mask policy aboard its flight. *All* passengers must wear a face covering starting June 18.
“United Airlines announced today that, along with other Airlines for America (A4A) members, it will strengthen mandatory mask policies to further mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 and help continue to keep passengers and crew safe,” according to a news release. “While the overwhelming majority of passengers are complying with United’s mandatory policy, starting on June 18, any passenger that does not comply when onboard a United flight will be placed on an internal travel restriction list. Customers on this list will lose their travel privileges on United for a duration of time to be determined pending a comprehensive incident review.”
While many airlines are blocking middle seats, United is not blocking all middle seats on their flights for now. That said, if you book with United, your flight could be full, which will increase your chances of getting COVID-19.
American Airlines received plenty of backlash for packing flights with passengers.
*Updated June 24, 2020.
More stories:
9 airline predictions based on aftermath of 9/11 and Great Recession (2008)
7 positive predictions for travel after coronavirus pandemic
Airlines are still flying planes with no passengers during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s why.
Travelbinger is proud to be a publisher with Google News. Only few travel publications qualify.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Please do! I’m a one-man team for this website, so any help is sincerely appreciated.
Travelbinger is now on YouTube! Subscribe here for exclusive travel tips and advice from founder Jimmy Im. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Jimmy Im has traveled to 113 countries, stayed in over 600 hotels and has flown a million airmiles. He lives in New York City.
Jimmy get your info straight United is blocking middle seats and flying with restrictions !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much for your comment Carma. Please refer to United’s covid safety update.
Middle rows ARE blocked unless parties (same itinerary, same family) would like to sit together. Makes sense to me
HI Alfonso,
Thanks so much for writing!
It looks like you’re a fan of United, and I admire you defending the airline by going to the extent to write us. I’m sorry you feel I “badmouthed” the airline and I’m “making up lies.”
Can you please point out where I am making up lies and badmouthing United?
I’d also like to confirm that United’s Chief Customer Officer Toby Enqvist said all middle seats would be blocked until May 31, 2020, meaning the rule does not apply now.
Now if you look at United’s Covid policy on its website, you’ll see that nowhere does the airline state middle seats are blocked, and that they are enforcing masks on flight.
https://hub.united.com/united-coronavirus-covid19-safety-update-2645397564.html
I’m so glad I was able to help clarify United’s policy. Please do let us know if we can provide any further information.
Thanks!
I think it’s very sad that there are people badmouthing the airline industry with out bases. I just flew on United Airlines from IAD to FLL and the flight attendant did tell a passenger to put on his mask and the middle seat next to me was blocked. Get the facts straight and stop making up lies.