Southwest Airlines, American Airlines And Delta Will Not Require Employees Get Vaxxed

JUST IN: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines will NOT REQUIRE employees to get vaccinated, breaking with United Airlines' mandate that workers get vaccinated by October 25th or face getting fired.

— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean) August 10, 2021

The CEOs of Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines say they are not requiring unvaccinated employees to receive the shot, breaking with United Airlines' mandate that workers get vaccinated by October 25 or face getting fired.

In an internal memo obtained by CNN, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said the airline will "continue to strongly encourage" that workers get vaccinated, but the airline's stance has not shifted.

"Obviously, I am very concerned about the latest Delta variant, and the effect on the health and Safety of our Employees and our operation, but nothing has changed," Kelly said.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian told Good Day New York on Tuesday that 75% of its workforce has already been vaccinated even without a companywide mandate.

[...] In a statement, American Airlines said there was "no update at this time" to its vaccination policy. "We are strongly encouraging our team members to get vaccinated, and we are offering an incentive for those who do."

@Delta I certainly hope they change their minds. As a (small) Delta shareholder, Platinum member, & Delta Reserve Card Holder, this is is enough for me to take my loyalty elsewhere. I want a safe airline, not one that can get people sick.

— Daniel R. Rubin (@RubinsRants) August 11, 2021

@SouthwestAir...what the hell? I've been a long-time rewards member, but I will no longer fly your airline because you obviously don't care about the well-being of your passengers or staff. I have plenty of options and I plan to use them.

— Tim Shaw (@TimShawSaysMoo) August 10, 2021

This is helpful information to know. I definitely will NOT consider @SouthwestAir or @AmericanAir or @Delta for my future airline travel needs. I’ll give my business to the airline/s that require staff vaccinations for everyone’s overall safety.

— CK (@HRCDemocrat) August 10, 2021