Major U.S. airlines are ramping up security on flights to Washington D.C. before next week’s inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Those major U.S. airlines includes Alaska, which said Thursday that they will prevent passengers flying to Washington D.C. from putting guns in checked bags. Alaska Airlines says that they will temporarily ban checked firearms on flights to the DC metro area, specifically flights to and from the Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Dulles International Airport.
The changes with Alaska Airlines take effect today (January 15th). Alaska Airlines says that safety is their top priority. They cite that the implementation of the additional safety measures is focused on keeping guests and employees safe as well as working with the industry, FAA, TSA, law enforcement and others.
The safety measures that will be implemented at Alaska Airlines include increased mask enforcement on the ground and through the journey for all routes, including in partnership with the airports from which they fly. Alaska Airlines also will limit the number of tickets purchased on flights to and from the DC metro area.
If you plan on flying on Alaska Airlines anytime soon, passengers traveling to and from the DC metro area must stay seated one hour after take-off and one hour before landing. They also say that they’re adding extra personnel to support compliance. Alaska Airlines also says on their website that they have procedures to ensure compliance prior to departure and takeoff, and for turn-back or diversions, should the circumstance warrant.
Alaska Airlines flies 31 flights a week to those three D.C. area airports from Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Through January 14, Alaska Airlines has 303 people on its active ban list.
More information can be found on their press release here.
