Last update: October 7, 2021
So many airlines and airports are requiring employees to be vaccinated for Covid-19 that the measure has become the norm, not the exception. Adherence rates for flight crew are now, appropriately, sky-high; as of early October 2021, 99.5% of United Airlines workers were protected, according to the company.
But not all airlines have extended the vaccine mandate to their customers, who share cabin space with those workers and each other. The list of major carriers that require customers to prove vaccination is growing—but slowly and along regional lines.
Note: Many airlines that otherwise carry unvaccinated passengers are refusing to fly them to destinations that require visitors to be vaccinated. Therefore, for some flights (such as ones on all Canada-based airlines as well as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Singapore Airlines to Australia), proof of vaccination may be required by legal default. Check your flight's specific requirements, as they may differ from your airline's general policy.
AirAsia
Requires proof of full vaccination for passengers 18 and older. "Guests under th e age of 18 if unvaccinated or partially-vaccinated must be accompanied by fully-vaccinated parents or guardian." (AirAsia vaccination FAQ)
Air Canada
By national law, all Americans flying into Canada must be vaccinated, and, as of October 30, 2021, people flying domestically within Canada must also be vaccinated. So even though the mandate did not originate with Air Canada, it's not possible to fly the airline without proof of vaccination. (Air Canada preflight checklist)
Air New Zealand
Requires proof of full vaccination for passengers 18 and older as of February 2022. "Customers who are not vaccinated will be required to present proof that vaccination was not a viable option for them for medical reasons." (Air New Zealand vaccination rules)
Air Transat
By national law, all Americans flying into Canada must be vaccinated, and, as of October 30, 2021, people flying domestically within Canada must also be vaccinated. So even though the mandate did not originate with Air Transat, it's not possible to fly the airline without proof of vaccination. (Air Transat preflight checklist)
Qantas
Will require vaccination to fly. The new rules will begin on an unannounced date and include "some exemptions for medical reasons and children." (Qantas vaccination rules)
Swoop
By national law, all Americans flying into Canada must be vaccinated, and, as of October 30, 2021, people flying domestically within Canada must also be vaccinated. So even though the mandate did not originate with Swoop, it's not possible to fly the low-cost airline without proof of vaccination. (Swoop vaccine requirements)
WestJet
By national law, all Americans flying into Canada must be vaccinated, and, as of October 30, 2021, people flying domestically within Canada must also be vaccinated. So even though the mandate did not originate with WestJet, it's not possible to fly the airline without proof of vaccination. (WestJet preflight requirements)
