Delta Air Lines has banned more than 800 passengers for not wearing masks when flying during pandemic or harassing lawmakers

<p><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/60006e3efe7e140019f7ef0d-2400/gettyimages-1068946612.jpg" border="0" alt="Delta Airlines" data-mce-source="SOPA Images/Getty Images" data-mce-caption="Delta Airlines plane."></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><p>Airlines have been warning flyers since the spring that not wearing a mask could result in a ban but that hasn't stopped rule-breakers from trying.&nbsp;</p><p>Delta Air Lines announced during its fourth-quarter earnings call that "north of 800" passengers have been banned since the policy was enacted in May 2020. A Delta spokesperson confirmed to <a href="https://twitter.com/GioBenitez/status/1349754075060047875">ABC News</a> that the official number is 880 passengers.</p><p>Additional passengers were banned in the wake of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-show-the-aftermath-of-a-siege-on-capitol-building-2021-1">Wednesday's riots at the US Capitol Building</a>. "Not a huge number, but a number," one executive said when asked how just how many were barred from the airline.</p><p>Also on a banned list are passengers who harassed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/capitol-riots-caused-chaos-on-airlines-2021-1">Utah Senator Mitt Romney on a flight from Salt Lake City to Washington, DC on January 5</a>, the airline told <a href="https://twitter.com/GioBenitez/status/1349754075060047875">ABC News</a>. Supporters of President Donald Trump accosted Romney in the airport terminal and continued the harassment onto the plane with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-supporters-accost-romney-airport-plane-fraud-claims-video-2021-1">shouts of "traitor" during the flight</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Those banned under the mask policy may be allowed to fly Delta again once the rule is no longer in place. Delta did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, however, on whether those in the Romney incident will be given a path back to flying with the airline.&nbsp;</p><p>The Capitol riots saw multiple airlines report disturbances on flights to and from Washington. An <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/capitol-riots-caused-chaos-on-airlines-2021-1">American Airlines flight turned into an airborne Trump rally</a> as red-capped passengers began chanting "USA" and disobeying the mask rule, prompting the flight crew to threaten a diversion to Kansas to restore order.</p><p>An <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/capitol-riots-caused-chaos-on-airlines-2021-1">Alaska Airlines flight from Washington, DC to Seattle following riots also saw 14 passengers banned</a> for violating the airline's mask policies. An airline spokesperson told Insider that the passengers exhibited "non-mask compliant," "rowdy," and "argumentative" behavior.&nbsp;</p><p>Airlines attribute mask-wearing policies and the effectiveness of high-efficiency particulate air filtration systems to the low onboard transmission rate of COVID-19. Exceptions to the mask rule are only made for actively eating and drinking while onboard.&nbsp;</p><p><em><strong>Read more</strong>: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airline-workers-covid-rates-is-flying-safe-2020-9'r=tp-sub">Airline workers have lower rates of COVID-19 than the general populationand airline CEOs say it's proof that flying is safe</a></em></p><p>One of the most notable banned passengers is Robert O'Neill, the former US Navy SEAL that claims to have killed Osama bin Laden during the 2011 raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan. Delta added O'Neill to the list after he <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-anti-mask-navy-seal-bin-laden-2020-8">tweeted about openly disobeying the requirement</a> while sitting in first class.&nbsp;</p><p>Delta flyers seeking a medical exemption to the mask rule must undergo a virtual screening with a medical professional.</p><p>"Customers with underlying conditions that explicitly prevent the wearing of a face covering or mask are strongly encouraged to reconsider travel or should be prepared to complete a 'Clearance-to-Fly' process prior to departure at the airport," the airline's website <a href="https://www.delta.com/us/en/travel-update-center/ways-we-are-keeping-you-safe/onboard-services">states</a>. "If you require this exemption, please arrive early to complete the process during check-in and avoid missing your flightthis process can take over one hour."</p><p>Delta is also the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-air-lines-block-middle-seats-until-march-2020-11">last major US airline to block middle seats onboard its aircraft</a> after Alaska abandoned the practice after January 7 and others began filling their planes towards the end of 2020.&nbsp;</p><p>Delta executives told analysts during Thursday's earnings call that no decision has been made yet on whether that policy will be continued after March.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>SEE ALSO:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-plans-end-for-747-atlas-air-placing-final-order-2021-1" >Boeing just announced the definitive end of the legendary 747 as cargo giant Atlas Air places an order for the final 4 planes</a></strong></p><p><strong>DON'T MISS:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/united-airlines-relaunching-boeing-737-max-in-february-12-routes-2021-1" >United is preparing for a Boeing 737 Max resurgence in February with the 12 first routes just added to its schedulehere's the full list</a></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-bans-800-passengers-for-not-wearing-masks-during-pandemic-2021-1#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-travel-during-coronavirus-outbreak-planes-airports-virus-2020-3">Here's what it's like to travel during the coronavirus outbreak</a></p>
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