<p>American Airlines personnel on national and regional flights will begin wearing masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the US aviation giant announced Monday.</p>.<p>In addition to the mask policy, which will begin May 1, the airline will also offer protective gear to passengers, the company said in a statement.</p>.<p>"In early May, American will start the process of distributing sanitizing wipes or gels and face masks to customers," the statement said.</p>.<p>"This offering will expand to all flights as supplies and operational conditions allow."</p>.<p>The announcement comes the day after Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, posted a tweet slamming the lax health measures on US flights.</p>.<p>Nelson tweeted a photo showing a plane packed with passengers who were not observing social distancing, many of whom also were not wearing masks.</p>.<p>"ENOUGH!" Nelson wrote. "This was TODAY on a four hour flight. This is not ok."</p>.<p>She urged the federal health and transportation departments to mandate that masks be worn in airports and on planes.</p>.<p>American Airlines also announced that it would be stepping up its cleaning and disinfection procedures.</p>.<p>Fellow US flight company United Airlines said that while all personnel are required to wear masks on board, it is not mandatory for passengers.</p>.<p>We "suggest customers follow the directives from their local officials and CDC guidance that recommends face coverings in places where social distancing is difficult," a spokesman for the airline told AFP.</p>.<p>According to the spokesman, the company is already "taking additional steps to promote social distancing in the air and on the ground."</p>.<p>United also began earlier in April to automatically assign seats on flights to help maintain social distancing, he said.</p>.<p>"We expect to implement addition, temporary changes to our policies on... seating throughout the entire aircraft, as well as making adjustments to the boarding process," the spokesman said.</p>.<p>In particular, United will limit advanced seat selection and board fewer passengers at a time to prevent any crowding as people take their seats.</p>
<p>American Airlines personnel on national and regional flights will begin wearing masks to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the US aviation giant announced Monday.</p>.<p>In addition to the mask policy, which will begin May 1, the airline will also offer protective gear to passengers, the company said in a statement.</p>.<p>"In early May, American will start the process of distributing sanitizing wipes or gels and face masks to customers," the statement said.</p>.<p>"This offering will expand to all flights as supplies and operational conditions allow."</p>.<p>The announcement comes the day after Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, posted a tweet slamming the lax health measures on US flights.</p>.<p>Nelson tweeted a photo showing a plane packed with passengers who were not observing social distancing, many of whom also were not wearing masks.</p>.<p>"ENOUGH!" Nelson wrote. "This was TODAY on a four hour flight. This is not ok."</p>.<p>She urged the federal health and transportation departments to mandate that masks be worn in airports and on planes.</p>.<p>American Airlines also announced that it would be stepping up its cleaning and disinfection procedures.</p>.<p>Fellow US flight company United Airlines said that while all personnel are required to wear masks on board, it is not mandatory for passengers.</p>.<p>We "suggest customers follow the directives from their local officials and CDC guidance that recommends face coverings in places where social distancing is difficult," a spokesman for the airline told AFP.</p>.<p>According to the spokesman, the company is already "taking additional steps to promote social distancing in the air and on the ground."</p>.<p>United also began earlier in April to automatically assign seats on flights to help maintain social distancing, he said.</p>.<p>"We expect to implement addition, temporary changes to our policies on... seating throughout the entire aircraft, as well as making adjustments to the boarding process," the spokesman said.</p>.<p>In particular, United will limit advanced seat selection and board fewer passengers at a time to prevent any crowding as people take their seats.</p>