Airlines are ending requirements after a judge struck down the CDC’s mandate.

Yesterday, a federal judge in Florida struck down the face mask mandate established by the Biden Administration requiring all passengers on public transit vehicles to remain masked at all times in the interest of COVID safety. This included trains, buses, and airplanes, the last of which has prompted swift reaction.

Multiple major airlines, including Delta, United, and American, have announced that, effective immediately, masks are now optional aboard all of their domestic flights. Social media videos have popped up showing Delta passengers in mid-flight receiving the news and immediately discarding their masks.

Delta has clarified that due to time differences, different passengers and airline enforcement officers “may experience inconsistent enforcement during the next 24 hours as this news is more broadly communicated.”

“Given the unexpected nature of this announcement, please be aware that customers, airline employees and federal agency employees – such as TSA – may be receiving this information at different times,” the airline said.

Alaska Airlines, which is also going mask-optional, cautioned both customers and crew to be open-minded and not begrudge others for choosing to remain masked. “While we are glad this means many of us get to see your smiling faces, we understand some might have mixed feelings,” the airline said. “Please remember to be kind to one another and that wearing a mask while traveling is still an option.”