Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines will require passengers to wear masks onboard in the coming weeks.
Delta's requirement begins May 4. Passengers will be required to wear face coverings in check-in areas, Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges, and onboard throughout the flight except when meals are being served.
(Update, May 1): Alaska Airlines also will require passenger face coverings as of May 4, and will provide them to passengers who do not bring their own.
(Update, May 4): Southwest Airlines also will require passenger face coverings as of May 11, and will provide them to passengers who do not bring their own. Customer-facing employees began wearing face coverings May 3.
American's face covering requirement for passengers begins May 11. The carrier earlier this week said it would begin distributing facemasks as well as sanitizing wipes or gels to passengers in early May, but SVP of customer experience Kurt Stache said passengers should bring their own masks or face coverings that fit them comfortably. "American is working to procure facemasks and hand sanitizer as a supplement," according to Stache.
Delta also said it would have suppliers for passengers who need them, though it encouraged passengers to bring their own.
United Airlines on its website said that it "will also make face coverings mandatory for all travelers," effective May 4, and will provide them to customers if necessary.
Both Delta and American, along with United Airlines, announced face covering requirements for flight attendants earlier this week. JetBlue and Lufthansa also both announced mask requirements for passengers this week.
(Update, April 30): This report and its headline have been updated to include United's directive.