In this week’s developments, the Biden administration may be shifting its stance on requiring vaccinations for airline passenger as more officials speak out in favor of that policy; Austria, the Netherlands and the U.K. change their entry rules for U.S. visitors; Chile will reopen Oct. 1 with strict requirements for travelers; Southwest extends its alcohol sales ban; United revives buy-on-board food service; Delta brings back pre-pandemic boarding procedures; Alaska Airlines helps Mileage Plan members keep elite status; United plans a December revival of SFO-Paris nonstops; international route news from American, ANA, British Airways and Finnair; American buys a stake in Brazil’s GOL; Avelo kicks off Santo Rosa-Las Vegas flights; American and Southwest expand at Austin; and Alaska Airlines has a new option for avoiding long line times at Seattle’s TSA security checkpoints.
A few months ago, the Biden administration ruled out the possibility of requiring COVID-19 vaccines for airline passengers, but lately the administration seems to be signaling a shift in that position as more current and former officials express support for a possible vaccine mandate. Asked about the possibility of a vaccine requirement for domestic airline flights, White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients said last week that the administration is “not taking any measures off the table” in its ongoing efforts to stem the increase in coronavirus cases. In addition, Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and President Joe Biden’s top medical adviser, told the Washington Post that he’s not proposing a vaccine mandate for airline travelers, but if Biden decided to move ahead with one, “I would be supportive of it.”
Meanwhile, Obama administration Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in an interview with Politico that the government should encourage U.S. airlines to start requiring proof of…