36 Congress Members Make New Push For Vaccine And Testing Requirements For Domestic Air Travel

Less than a week ago, the United States reopened to international travel with a requirement that foreign travelers entering the country show proof of vaccination and proof of a negative Covid-19 test. Now dozens of U.S. lawmakers are asking President Joe Biden to do the same for domestic air travel.

“This is a necessary and long overdue step toward ensuring all Americans feel safe and confident while traveling and reduce the chances of yet another devastating winter surge,” said the letter sent Thursday from 36 Democratic members of Congress.

Along with concerns that the holiday travel season may lead to a spike in Covid-19 cases, as it did last year, the legislators argue that tightening restrictions on domestic air travelers would be ultimately good for the economy.

“Implementing such a requirement can also be a valuable tool to support the recovery of the tourism and hospitality industries,” continues the letter, noting that domestic business spending this year is just 57% of pre-pandemic levels and experts project that it will take at least four years for the travel and tourism sectors to be restored to their pre-pandemic levels.

“Recovery of these industries will only occur when American travelers are confident that they are safe during indoor activities, including when traveling, whether in airports or on the planes themselves,” wrote the lawmakers.

Last month, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced the U.S. Air Travel Public Safety Act, which would require airlines to ensure that all U.S. air passengers show digital or paper documentation that they are fully vaccinated, have tested negative for the coronavirus or are fully recovered from the illness before boarding a domestic flight. 

Throughout much of the pandemic, U.S. airline executives and airline union leaders argued that any additional Covid-19 restrictions for domestic flyers would be bad for business, resulting in fewer people willing to fly, and ultimately putting jobs at risk.

But multiple surveys suggest that a hefty majority of the public is on board with Feinstein’s bill, including a recent Harris Poll revealing that nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%) support introducing a vaccine passport for domestic flights, with those who “strongly support” such an initiative outnumbering those who “somewhat support” it by more than two to one.

In addition, the airline industry is already verifying Covid-19 credentials for international travelers. Travelers coming to the U.S. currently submit Covid-related documentation not to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) but to their airline. For example, Delta Air Lines has its Delta FlyReady solution, United has incorporated requirements into the United app, and American Airlines is using VeriFLY.

Along with protecting the flying public from exposure to Covid-19, studies show that a vaccine mandate for domestic travel would also boost the overall vaccination uptake. In a poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, about four in 10 unvaccinated respondents said they would be more likely to get a shot if airlines required it of passengers or if the CDC said that vaccinated people could travel freely without having to wear masks in most situations.