Gary Kelly, the chief executive of Southwest Airlines, tested positive for the coronaviruses after appearing at a Senate hearing.
After returning home, Mr. Kelly received a positive result after he tested negative several times. Southwest said that Mr. Kelly has received a booster shot and is resting at home.
The impact of billions of dollars of federal aid to the airline industry was discussed by Mr. Kelly before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Scott Kirby, the chief executive of United Airlines, Doug Parker, the chief executive of American Airlines, John Laughter, the chief of operations at Delta Air Lines, and Sara Nelson, the head of the Association of Flight Attendants were in attendance. Each was revealed for a portion of the hearing. Many senators on the committee did not wear masks, but they sat further apart from each other.
Mr. Kelly was asked if passengers would ever be able to travel on planes without masks.
Mr. Kelly said that masks don't add much to the air cabin environment. It is very safe and high quality compared to other indoor settings.
The United executive who led the charge to require vaccine at his company tested negative for the virus on Friday, the airline said. Mr. Laughter did not test positive on Thursday and Friday. American said that Mr.Parker was symptom-free and getting tested this afternoon.
Ms. Nelson said that she was notified of Mr. Kelly's positive test just as she was returning to work.
She said that she would be following the C.D.C. protocols and would test before she traveled with her family for the holidays. Get vaxxed, wear a mask, and be kind!
