As has often been the case on policy questions about how to deal with the coronavirus outbreak, partisans are far apart in their views on this issue. A large majority of Democrats and independents who lean to the Democratic Party (80%) say travelers on airplanes and public transportation should be required to wear masks. By contrast, 71% of Republicans and Republican leaners say travelers should not be required to wear masks.

There are differences in views on mask requirements across a range of other characteristics, including gender, age, vaccination status and level of concern about getting COVID-19.

A majority of U.S. adults who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (66%) say masks should be required for travelers on airplanes and public transportation. Among those who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, just 25% think masks should be required. Even among the unvaccinated, however, there are partisan differences in views: For instance, 60% of unvaccinated Democrats think masks should be required for travelers on airplanes and public transportation, but 12% of unvaccinated Republicans think masks should be required.