2 Delta passengers refused to wear face masks, so the plane turned back to the gate and kicked them out (DAL)

• Two passengers were ejected from a Delta Air Lines flight after they refused to wear masks onboard.
• Flight DL1227 was about to take off from Detroit for Atlanta on July 23 but turned back to the gate, a company spokesperson told The Hill and CNN.
• The airline said the two customers "were non-compliant with crew instructions."
• Delta's new safety policy requires customers and employees to wear a face mask at all times during transit. 
• Those that refuse will be banned for life from flying Delta, CEO Ed Bastian said on July 22. 
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Two passengers were ejected from a Delta Air Lines flight that had been preparing to take off because they refused to wear face masks, the company said.

The duo were removed from Flight DL1227, set to depart from Detroit Metro Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on July 23, a company spokesperson told The Hill and CNN.

"Flight 1227 from Detroit to Atlanta returned to the gate following two customers who were non-compliant with crew instructions," Emma Kate Protis told the outlets.

"After a short delay, the aircraft departed to Atlanta."

The identities of the two passengers are not known.

Delta has updated its conditions of travel in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Delta customers and employees are required to wear a face mask, or appropriate cloth face covering over their nose and mouth throughout their travel, aligning with best practice guidelines from the CDC," the airline's website says.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian told NBC's "Today" show on July 22 that the airline would ban people who refuse to wear a mask for life. 

"You cannot board a Delta plane unless you have a mask on. If you board the plane and you insist on not wearing your mask, we will insist that you don't fly Delta in the future. We already have over 100 people we've put on that list," he said.

The airline has also blocked off seats on either side of a reservation to maintain social distancing.

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source https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-plane-returns-gate-eject-passengers-without-face-masks-coronavirus-2020-8