Airline CEOs criticized for questioning mask mandate
Airline CEOs were slammed for suggesting masks are unnecessary on flights.
During a U.S. Senate Committee hearing with lawmakers, the contentious mask mandate was discussed.
Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said ‘masks don’t add much if anything in the air cabin environment, ‘which was a view apparently echoed by American Airlines CEO Doug Parker.
The remarks were knocked by Senator Ed Markey.
"I’m shocked that some of the CEOs here today have suggested that we no longer need mask mandates on planes. Children under five still cannot be vaccinated and we still allow unvaccinated people on planes to fly in our country."
"Frankly, it is so troubling that I don’t know where to begin," said Dr. Kavita Patel, who was an advisor in the Obama administration.
"If there is one thing that is crystal clear, it is that this is an airborne virus and there is very little doubt that masks play a significant role in reducing transmission."
Following a backlash, Doug Parker took to social media to clarify his comments.
"We support the federal mask mandate. Full stop," Parker said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments