Everything you need to know about the Delta Airlines Face Mask Policy

Delta Airlines, like most major carriers, now requires passengers to wear a face mask or face covering while traveling. We examine what you need to know about the Delta Face Mask Policy.

Thanks to the coronavirus, travel, at least in the short term, has changed quite a bit. One of the more noticeable changes is the near universal requirement to wear a face mask or face covering while traveling.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is clear that wearing a face mask or covering helps reduce the spread of the coronavirus which is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets which are emitted when a person sneezes, coughs or talks.

Many airlines, in an effort to make passengers feel safer while traveling, have implemented policies requiring face masks and coverings. Delta is one such airline. We examine the Delta Airlines Face Mask Policy and answer any frequently asked questions you might have.

Delta Face Mask Policy

The Delta Face Mask Policy addresses both passengers and employees. Effective May 4th, passengers are required to wear a face mask or appropriate face covering when traveling. This includes check-in lines, and other Delta areas like the Delta Sky Club, boarding gate area, jet bridges and while on the flight. Passengers can remove their masks or coverings during meal service.

Furthermore, Delta suggests wearing a face mask or covering while in TSA security lines and restrooms.

For Delta employees, the airliner notes that employees are required to wear face masks if they are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance from one another.

Bill Lentsch, Delta’s Chief Customer Experience Officer had this to say, “Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our people and our customers. While we remain committed to our new standard of clean and to providing more space for our customers when they travel, we take seriously the CDC guidelines for adding this extra layer of protection. We believe this change will give customers and employees some additional comfort when traveling with us.”

Delta, like most airlines, follows CDC guidance on appropriate face coverings. Read the full Delta Face Covering Policy here.

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FAQs about Delta’s Face Mask Policy

Most airlines and passengers are still figuring things out when it comes to new travel safety restrictions and best practices. That can mean there may be some inconsistency in how the airline applies or enforces rules. We’ve tried to answer several frequently asked questions about Delta’s face covering policies.

Are face masks required on Delta flights?

Yes, effective May 4th, passengers are required to wear a face mask or appropriate face covering when traveling on a Delta Flight. This policy also extends to the Delta check-in process, Delta Sky Clubs, the boarding area, jet bridge and other similar Delta areas.

Does Delta enforce their Face Mask Policy?

It’s unclear at this time if Delta will enforce their face mask policy or to what extent. While most major airlines now require face coverings while traveling, it’s unclear how much authority they have to enforce them and/or what the penalties might be. For example, will an airline divert a flight if a passenger takes their mask of mid-flight? Would a passenger be restricted from boarding? As fellow travel blogger Paddle Your Own Kanoo has noted, many airlines are instructing their crews NOT to enforce them.

JetBlue has taken a firmer stand with their policy indicating: no mask, no travel, while Southwest has taken a softer approach. It’s still unclear how strict Delta will be. If you have recently traveled on Delta Airlines please drop us a comment below about your experiences with the Delta Face Mask Policy.

Are there exceptions for the Delta Face Mask Policy?

Yes, exceptions to Delta’s Face Mask Policy include children and people who are unable to wear a mask. Their policy is a bit light on details here so we have to turn to the CDC’s guidelines for clarity. The CDC notes that people who meet the following criteria should not wear a face mask:

Children under the age 2
Any person who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance

What if I forget my face mask?

No problem, at all. Delta will provide a free face mask as part of a customer care kit they will hand out as needed at your gate. Simply ask the gate agent who will provide the Delta customer care kit free of charge. The kit also includes hand sanitizer packets which are always a plus these days. Learn more here.

Delta Face Mask Policy - free masks provided

Will Delta give me a free face mask?

Yes, Delta will give you a free face mask for your flight if you’ve forgotten one. Passengers must ask the gate agent who will provide a free customer care amenity kit which includes a disposable face mask, two packets of hand sanitizer and a guide to Delta’s new sanitation measures.

Can I bring my own face mask on a Delta flight?

Yes, passengers can bring their own face masks or face coverings on Delta flights. In fact, this is recommended and preferred. See our guide on where to buy face masks and face coverings for travel here. You can also make your own face mask and we’ve assembled a list of DIY mask instructions here.

Thanks and be safe out there

Travel is going to be unusual for a while – there’s no doubt about that anymore. For how long? Less clear, but likely for a long while. Face coverings, temperature checks, bringing a travel thermometer with you and more may simply become the new normal for travel – at least for the foreseeable future.

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