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Home » United Airlines » United Airlines Removes Passengers For Suspicious Mask
United Airlines

United Airlines Removes Passengers For Suspicious Mask

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 6, 2021November 14, 2023 24 Comments

a woman with a gas mask

When is a mask simply too much? At United Airlines, a new protective mask that resembles a scuba diving helmet has been deemed more of a threat than a means of protection. Two brothers were thrown off a flight for pushing the issue and insisting that the mask was permissible.

United Airlines Deems New Protective Mask A Danger

United’s mask policy is fairly vague. The requirements are simply:

A face mask with no vents or openings that fully covers their nose and mouth.

Rob Joseph and his brother purchased $85 masks from Narwall that are intended to provide additional protections over more conventional masks. These masks, pictured above, provide more filtration than a N95 mask plus face shield. Although they appear to have an exhaust valve, it is rather just an elaborate filter and not something that emits exhaust and places others in danger.

When the brothers showed up at Newark, they were informed by United staff that the masks were not permitted. They argued a bit, presenting evidence that the masks were within United’s policy and not a danger to others. Eventually, they “compromised” by placing a surgical mask over their Narwall mask.

But when boarding, flight attendants stopped them and said that was an unacceptable solution. After more back-and-forth, Joseph took off his Narwall and put on the surgical mask, but then flight attendants told him he could not even take the Narwall onboard with him.

“At that point they turned to me and said it’s not allowed on the plane, if you’re not happy with our policies, you can leave. I said no, I’m fine, I’m going to go sit down, you don’t have to hear another word from me. At that point they said no, we already told you to leave, get off. That’s when it spiraled out of control.”

United said the mask “could potentially create certain impediments in emergency scenarios, including — but not limited to — communication issues.”

I asked United whether Narwall masks are under review or whether they are indeed permanently banned and was told, “We do not accept the Narwall mask.”

CONCLUSION

It seems to me there are two factors at play. First, the Narwall mask should be allowed and the idea that it a passenger cannot properly hear flight attendants announcements if wearing one is spurious, especially considering noise-cancelling headphones are permitted at all times on the ground and in the air.

Second, United has the right to set its own mask rules within the framework of the new federal mandate. In short, United can ban Narwall masks if wants too. Whether reasonable or not, Joseph was told several times it was not permitted but continued to argue. If this was unacceptable, he should have cancelled his ticket and flown another carrier (which he eventually did for his return trip).

Masks are (sadly) here to stay and more advanced varieties are hitting the market. United and other airlines would do well to offer clearer rules on which masks are permitted and which ones are not.

(H/T: View from the Wing)

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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24 Comments

  1. 121Pilot Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    I really don’t understand why United doesn’t like this mask. Sure it looks weird. But I see nothing about it that’s inherently unsafe.

  2. Erndog Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 1:47 pm

    Typical United, making up shit as they go along

    They’ll approve the Narwall mask soon after Delta does

  3. Howard Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    I wear the thinnest (almost see through) mask on all planes / public transit.
    Allow the most air through when I breathe.

    Was just on a rammed full metro in Colombia, and wanted to throw my mask in a ditch.

    Could you imagine breathing your own air with a restrictive mask?
    How idiotic are people to wear that stuff? It’s like the blind leading the blind.
    Doesn’t the US say you should wear 3 masks now? It’s like the new Gillette razor. hahaha

    (I also haven’t washed it since I bought it in Europe in December.. It’s disgusting, lol, I’m sure it does more harm than good)

    • Ronald Williams Reply
      February 7, 2021 at 12:47 pm

      You are views are certainly entitled to your views, but scientifically speaking you’re dead wrong. Numerous studies have shown masks to be safe and effective and not to hinder breathing.

  4. Chris Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    I think he finally accepted that he couldn’t wear it..but then they said he can’t even carry it onboard? Like literally as part of his personal item. I don’t get the logic in that. It is one thing if they said it was passively dangerous when used as a mask, but this makes it sound as though United believes it’s actively dangerous to be in the cabin.

  5. CHRIS Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 4:27 pm

    Flight attendants…..let’s just design the doors to pop open in an emergency and be done with them.

  6. Santastico Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    I haven’t step on a United plane in 20 years. Haven’t missed a bit. What a disgrace of an airline.

  7. Larry Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 5:36 pm

    Ot the brothers could have contacted United before flying and saved everybody some hassle.

    • Christian Reply
      February 6, 2021 at 9:41 pm

      But that would make sense.

  8. Brian Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 5:51 pm

    Some of the docs I work with were wearing these in the ER at the beginning of the pandemic, especially if we were up close to the respiratory tract. The companies that made these sold modification kits to essentially turn the snorkel into an N95 equivalent. The idea was to keep secretions off your face when you were doing airway management. They’re odd, but hardly unsafe if modded right with OEM parts.

    I just wore (and still wear) a 3M half face respirator with p100 cartridges at work. In the (very few) times we’ve traveled during the pandemic, we N95’d on the plane and at the airport.

  9. Curious Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 6:23 pm

    Doesnt this mask requires a filter cartridge to work as designed? Is it easy to see if such a filter is actually installed?

    Seeing the games people already play with masks that anyone can clearly see are, or are not used correctly, Id just as soon not be left wondering if the person wearing one of these sitting next to me is trying to be cute by removing the filter.

    • Brian Reply
      February 6, 2021 at 9:59 pm

      It’s a modified snorkel mask. The companies who make these had a modification kit you could get to adapt it to medical use

  10. WHS Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 7:42 pm

    I think the real concern here is not whether they have an exhaust vent or not, but rather whether the wearer would be able in an emergency decompression scenario to fully remove this mask and don the oxygen mask before succumbing to hypoxia. United is right in not allowing this kind of contraption to be worn on-board.

  11. ptahcha Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 7:59 pm

    It’s not just communication, but in case of an emergency where the oxygen mask is deployed, how quickly can these masks be removed and replaced with the oxygen mask?

    Also, in case of evacuation, can they hear the instructions through the mask, since they have to be worn at all time. Noise-cancelling headsets can be removed without posing a health hazard.

    Finally, the passengers did not follow the flight crew’s instructions (and this is safety related), which is a big no-no.

  12. Wwes Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    Love how these articles point out absolutely nothing but the ignorance & click-baiting of the person writing the article. Good job s/

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 6, 2021 at 9:42 pm

      Thanks so much for your click!

  13. Jeff Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 9:59 pm

    Cute kid and all but this is not the time to be an ass, make a statement or prank the airline. Wear a regular mask like everyone else or stay home.
    Good job, United, for trying your best to keep us safe.

    • cargocult Reply
      February 7, 2021 at 8:25 pm

      Spoken like a true follower. Never mind that the Narwall mask is actually safer for both the wearer and those around him than the “regular” mask you claim will keep us safe. Keep following the science and vote Democrat! Your statist overlords will always have your best interests at heart.

  14. Bob Reply
    February 6, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    I applaud him for wanting to be safer on the plane. These masks have a hole in the top that you can attach a filter used in a CPAP machine. They protect your mouth, nose and eyes from receiving or giving virus to someone else. They are used by Dr’s who need to do procedures on suspected Covid patients in the ER. Flying is high risk because of the closed in space. This mask is far safer than the cloth mask or double masks they pass out.

  15. Bruce Levitt Reply
    February 7, 2021 at 10:11 am

    This is a snorkel mask that the manufacturer adapted with filters on the inhalation and exhalation side. No different than a NIOSH-approved full face mask that you can buy for about the same price made by companies like 3M, Honeywell and MSA, except it lacks the NIOSH approvals and may be harder to breathe through. The “commercial” ones also lack a filter when you exhale, so can pose a danger to others.

    It does not cover the ears so would not interfere with hearing emergency instructions but your own voice would be muffled. It can be removed in seconds, so replacing it with an oxygen mask would not be an issue in the event of decompression.

    Having said that, the first lesson of flying these days is if you want to fly, don’t argue with the crew (or TSA).

  16. Michael D Reply
    February 8, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    That mask should comply since the exahust air is filtered. A problem with this mask is the large-ish dead air space in front of the mask. Our lung’s tidal volume is around 500 ml. That mask looks like the air space in front on the internal nose cover is a considerable fraction of that. The dead air space of a mask is rebreathed each time you take a breath. When you exhale you have to first breath in that dead air before taking in fresh air.
    I agree with Bruce Levitt. This is an adapted full face snorkle mask. They too have the problem of additioonal dead air space especially compared to a standard snorkle. https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/09/18/spike-snorkel-related-deaths-again-highlights-potential-danger-full-face-masks/
    Ptahcha’s comment makes me think about when I recieved my first SCUBA certiification. Dive below 10 feet. Take off your mask. Put it back on. No one with this mask needs to perform this manuever to wear it. But while it is not as easy to rip off a surgical mask. It isn’t that dificult.

  17. Dave Reply
    February 9, 2021 at 4:52 pm

    Apparently United knows nothing about unusual masks.

  18. James Reply
    February 10, 2021 at 1:08 am

    Thank you all american for continuing to provide the world with these jokes.

  19. Brent Reply
    February 19, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    Not terribly concerned since I’m not flying *any* airline until I get vaxxed and maybe not then. The airlines can die, for all I care.

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