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Traveling by Plane with Food Allergies

With Advance Planning, Air Travel with Allergies can be Safe

Mar 3, 2009 Joanne LaSpina

It is scary to think about a serious allergic reaction 30,000 feet above the nearest hospital. Planning and clear communication are essential to ensure a safe flight.

Fear of flying is a common anxiety. For those with food allergies, flying can be risky. Food allergic passengers are exposed to potentially dangerous food proteins when airline snacks are served or when other passengers eat food they brought on the plane. Several airlines are making things easier for those with food allergies:

Southwest will serve a non-peanut snack with advance notice.
Continental states they do not serve packaged peanut snacks on their flights
Northwest/Delta will provide a peanut-free buffer zone with advance notice.
Jet Blue will make an announcement prior to take-off requesting that passengers refrain from opening peanut snacks due to a passenger food allergy.

When planning a trip, check the airline's policy about handling food allergic passengers. Choose your airline carefully after full consideration of their policy. Several days before the flight, contact the airline by phone to confirm their written policy. Clearly state your expectations and work with the airline to meet those needs. Ask to speak to a supervisor if necessary.

When arriving for check-in, inform the employee at the airline counter that a passenger has food allergies. Ask about pre-boarding so you can wipe down seats to ensure there is no food residue left from a previous passenger.

Other ways to make flying with food allergies safer:

Airlines often recommend you book the first flight of the day as the plane has been thoroughly cleaned the night before.

Have a doctor's note to carry epinephrine, antihistamines, special foods or beverages, ice packs and other necessary medical supplies aboard a plane. Show the note to the security screener at the checkpoint. Keep the original prescription label with all medications.

Inform flight attendants of the food allergy as you board the plane.

Wipe down seat, seat belt and fold-up tray with a cleaning wipe. Check area around seat for food trash.

Keep medications and necessary supplies with you in your seat. You may not have time to find them in an overhead bin.

Bring your own food and snacks. Some people with food allergies do not eat or drink on a flight to make sure they will not have a reaction.

Do not use airline pillows or blankets as they may have food residue on them.

In the event of an allergic reaction, inform airline staff immediately for assistance.

Check out this list of major airlines and their policies for notification of special food requests.

For more information about flying with food allergies, check out the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis website.

The copyright of the article Traveling by Plane with Food Allergies in Allergies is owned by Joanne LaSpina. Permission to republish Traveling by Plane with Food Allergies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Plane Travel