Watch passengers cheer as a Jet Blue crew member tells them they can ditch the masks
Passengers cheered as a JetBlue Airways pilot announced Monday that the airline would no longer require passengers to wear masks after a Florida federal judge in Florida struck down a public transportation mask mandate on Monday.
In a 45-second video posted to Twitter by passenger Gianni at @sythergonred, we can see a crew member — it’s not clear if he’s the pilot or speaking for the pilot — standing behind a Jet Blue panel as he addresses passengers aboard a Florida-bound flight.
“I’ve been going up and down this coast, from South Florida to New York for about 35 years,” the man said. “I’ve worked through the blackout 911, all the storms, the crazy stuff, it’s kind of a crazy world. We just got an announcement a few minutes ago, some of you may have seen a press release earlier today, that a judge overturned the mask mandate.”
At that point he’s interrupted by cheers of “YEAH!” from several seated passengers, not unlike the sound you may hear when the Dolphins score a touchdown at Hard Rock Stadium.
The flight official continues.
“My company announces at this moment if you choose to you may remove your mask. If you remain concerned or are compromised you certainly can keep your mask on. Sorry for the bumpy flight. I’ll have you there as quickly as I can.”
The last part of his statement bears repeating as many travelers also fretted on social media Monday and Tuesday that masks are no longer required on planes. Masks are not banned on flights. You may still wear one should you choose.
U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle of the Middle District of Florida said the mask mandate was “unlawful” and had exceeded the statutory authority of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Biden administration will comply — for now.
The Twitter footage appears to be taken on a flight from Theodore Francis Green State Airport in Providence, Rhode Island, to Palm Beach International Airport, according to reports and matches flight tracker details.
This story was originally published April 19, 2022 at 10:09 AM.
