Delta Air Lines will insist that passengers wear facemasks or ‘appropriate face covering’ from Monday (May 4).
The measure follows the carrier requiring employees worldwide to wear face masks if they are unable to maintain six feet of distance with customers or each other.
Staff will also be required to have temperature checks.
Enhanced cleaning will be implemented in airports and on aircraft.
“Face coverings will be required starting in the check-in lobby and across Delta touchpoints including Delta Sky Clubs, boarding gate areas, jet bridges and on board the aircraft for the duration of the flight – except during meal service,” the US carrier said as part of new anti-Covid-19 safety measures.
“Their use is also strongly encouraged in high-traffic areas including security lines and restrooms. People unable to keep a face covering in place, including children, are exempt.”
Middle seats on aircraft will be blocked and the boarding process adjusted to encourage more space for safer travel by boarding all flights from back-to-front – reducing the instances of customers needing to pass by one another to reach their seats, according to Delta.
Chief customer experience officer Bill Lentsch said: “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.”
Rival American Airlines introduced masks for cabin crew on Friday with distribution to passengers when supplies allow.
United Airlines claimed to be the first US carrier to require all flight attendants to wear masks on duty.