United Airlines will require all U.S. employees to get Covid vaccines, a first for domestic carriers

United Airlines will require its 67,000 U.S. employees to get vaccinated against Covid by no later than Oct. 25 or risk termination, a first for major U.S. carriers that will likely ramp up pressure on rivals. Airlines including United have so far resisted vaccine mandates for all workers, instead offering incentives like extra pay or time off to get inoculated. Delta Air Lines in May started requiring newly hired employees to show proof of vaccination. United followed suit in June.

United’s requirement is one of the strictest vaccine mandates from a U.S. company and one that includes employees who interact regularly with customers like flight attendants and gate agents. U.S. companies such as Facebook announced employees have to prove that they have been vaccinated to return to the office. Others are requiring them for only for certain workers. Walmart, for example, said last week that it will be required for corporate staff and management-level employees. Uber said U.S. office staff will need to be vaccinated to return to in-person work but stopped short of requiring them for drivers.

United Airlines will require all U.S. employees to get Covid vaccines, a first for domestic carriers, CNBC, Aug 6