United Airlines Makes Vaccines Mandatory For All Employees

Originally published on AeroXplorer

United Airlines is the first US carrier to implement this type of policy. Photo: Leon Aviation / AeroXplorer

Today, United Airlines announced that it is requiring that all of its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This makes the Chicago-based carrier the first major airline in the United States to implement such a policy. While other airlines have instituted vaccine policies based on the type of job, it appears that this mandate will be company-wide, with United Airlines is telling its employees that they will need to be vaccinated if they are to continue working for the airline. The mandate does not apply to regional airlines that fly shorter routes for United.

United Airlines will require its employees to upload a vaccine card showing that they have received either two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This must be completed either five weeks after the FDA announced it has fully approved a COVID-19 vaccine, or five weeks after September 20th, whichever comes first. United said that exceptions would be made for certain health issues or religious reasons. Such employees deemed exempt will have to wear a mask at all times. This makes United’s vaccine requirement one of the strictest vaccine mandates from any U.S. company, and one that includes employees who regularly interact with customers, like gate agents and flight attendants.

United employees who follow the requirement will receive an additional day of pay. Photo: United Airlines

The airline will offer an additional day of pay for those who are complying with the policy. Airline pilots and flight attendants who have already received union-regulated compensation for uploading their vaccine records are not eligible. Other airlines around the world have also been pushing for similar policies, such as Qantas and Cathay Pacific.