Passengers and airline crews rejoiced on Monday after hearing that a federal judge struck down President Joe Biden’s sweeping federal travel mask mandate.
More than a year after Biden requested a mandatory masking rule for planes, trains, ride-sharing vehicles, and other forms of transportation, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle ruled that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grossly exceeded its power by muzzling Americans.
The White House lamented the decision as “disappointing” and encouraged everyone on domestic flights to keep masking.
PSAKI: Striking down Biden's travel mask mandate "is obviously a disappointing decision." pic.twitter.com/OLB29iNVpS
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 18, 2022
Reporter: "There may be people sitting in an airport bar watching right now wondering. If they're boarding a flight tonight, is the mask mandate still in place?"@PressSec: "To anyone sitting out there, we would recommend you wear masks on the airplane." https://t.co/1s3U2Uw5Jo pic.twitter.com/cbJo48ITTw
— The Hill (@thehill) April 18, 2022
Americans on U.S. commercial flights, however, were delighted with the judge’s decision to declare the mask mandate null and void after the CDC had extended the mandate period four times.
Announcements from flight attendants and pilots that masks are no longer required on planes were met with cheers and smiling faces.
“It’s over. Immediately. Congratulations,” one Alaska Airlines pilot declared.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot speaking. This is the most important announcement I’ve ever made. The federal mask mandate is over. Take off your mask if you choose!”
A wonderful moment mid flight on @alaskaair today! pic.twitter.com/nWSatDRB83
— Ben Dietderich (@ben_dietd) April 18, 2022
“Finally!” one man yelled after hearing the good news.
Pilot announces removal of mask mandate mid flight 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/3CqC1CIJqj
— Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) April 19, 2022
“Let’s go!” cheered another passenger.
On a Delta flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to San Francisco, passengers were told that the mandatory mask mandate on public transport had been lifted.
Latest videos here: https://t.co/sMfm5rVfrY pic.twitter.com/zR7XgDbfye
— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 19, 2022
One flight crew started playing Kool & The Gang’s “Celebration” over the plane speakers.
When you’re actually on a flight & they tell you the federal mask mandate is lifted for travelers. Lots of cheering from passengers on board. Then flight crew started playing this on the speakers 🔊🔊🔊 #masks #nomasks #thisjustin #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/3okmVtl69g
— Erica Stapleton (@EricaReportsAll) April 18, 2022
.@JetBlue FLL to PHX
Captain just said “the mandate is over, remove your masks!!” pic.twitter.com/WKnMovTxAt
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) April 19, 2022
I'm on board an American Airlines flight into PBI and our pilot just made an announcement over the speaker: "we've just received word that the mask mandate has been lifted."
Naturally there was some cheering pic.twitter.com/gKf7Rf5LsJ— Lexi Nahl (@LexiCBS12) April 19, 2022
They just announced on my flight the mask mandate for flights is over! pic.twitter.com/iRnkFly2w9
— Rennie Cook (@renniecook) April 18, 2022
Passengers on a Delta Airlines flight got a surprise on their way to Los Angeles on Monday – the overturning of the national mask mandate for planes and public transit.
"People clapped, drinks are flowing, masks off," a passenger wrote on Instagram pic.twitter.com/7RMoiUjINk
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 19, 2022
One stewardess even became emotional after realizing this was the first time in two years she was not required to cover her face.
Plane applauded as the stewardess announced the end of the mandate. She broke into tears as she got to take off her mask for the first time in 2 years 😭 pic.twitter.com/WlCpZk30QM
— Kyle Mann (@The_Kyle_Mann) April 19, 2022
“No one could be happier than we are,” a Delta flight attendant remarked.
😷MASK MANDATE LIFTED😷
Myself, and a couple hundred others, just learned mid-flight that the mask mandate is over?!
The @Delta Airlines staff just got on the intercom to announce the mandate is lifted and now optional!
Cheers followed the announcement!@cbsdenver @cbsnews pic.twitter.com/j5tLM01c9g
— Dillon Thomas (@DillonMThomas) April 19, 2022
Airport terminals also erupted with applause and praise as passengers heard they could finally fly maskless.
“If you have a mask on, you can take it off,” one Southwest Airlines gate agent said over the loudspeaker. “Take the mask off.”
This @SouthwestAir gate agent was so excited to tell everyone that SW officially dropped the mask mandate. But because DC is a leftist cesspool, the crowd—aside from me and like two other people—did not meet his excitement level. Oh well SO HAPPY TO FLY MASKLESS. pic.twitter.com/1zxj88cVYx
— Alyssa Cordova (@lysscordova) April 19, 2022
Passengers on board were also eager to spread the news and encourage their fellow travelers to ditch the uncomfortable cloths in favor of “happy chatter.”
The pilot just announced @SouthwestAir sent out notification ten minutes ago that masks are optional. Not impressed with SWA dragging its feet and lying to customers for hours, but we are heading home feeling just a little bit lighter. pic.twitter.com/PSdxDZvgNw
— Molly McCann (@molmccann) April 18, 2022
Source: The Federalist
