I had to chuckle at the reason why a woman was recently thrown off an American Airlines: because flight attendants claimed they were not allowed to avoid serving nuts onboard. But this is actually no laughing matter.
Woman With Nut Allergy Removed From American Airlines Flight
26-year-old Sophie Draper was set to fly on American Airlines from London to New York. Draper suffers a severe allergic reaction when exposed to tree nuts. During booking, she looked for a place to indicate she had a nut allergy, but found no place to make such a notation.
During check-in, she mentioned it to the check-in agent and was told to speak to the gate agent. At the gate, the agents told her to speak to the cabin crew. Onboard, she spoke to the purser, who said they were “contractually obliged to serve hot mixed nuts in first and business class” and that it was “against company policy” to make announcements relating to food allergies.
Even though she was flying in economy class, which does not serve nuts, the presence of nuts in business and first class poses the risk of anaphylaxis if allergens travel airborne.
She told the HuffPost UK:
“American Airlines made me feel like my health and safety and that of others with severe food allergies is not important. I have no control over my nut allergy and the danger it presents to my life if I were to go into anaphylaxis.
“Adults and children with severe nut allergies already face many barriers to travel and experiences, the least airlines could do is take this health condition seriously by making appropriate announcements and replacing nuts with another snack.”
When Draper’s boyfriend asked what would happen if she went into anaphylactic shock over the Atlantic, a flight attendant allegedly responded by looking to Draper and saying, “He knows how to use your EpiPen, right?”
But sensing a problem, the couple were removed from the flight (the crew said they were uncomfortable with the couple). When they were rebooked on British Airways, the experience was very different. Draper explained:
“They stopped serving all nut products, made multiple announcements about there being a passenger with a nut allergy, and personally spoke with all passengers within a number of rows of me.”
She made it home safely (though her bags were delayed). Later, she recounted the incident on Twitter:
Getting kicked-off an American Airlines flight because of my nut allergy (and why they are a dangerous airline for people with food allergies) ✈️🥜
A thread:
— Sophie Draper (@EnergySoph) February 6, 2022
An American Airlines spokesperson noted:
“Protecting the health and safety of those who fly with us is our priority, and it’s essential to our purpose of caring for our customers as they travel. We regret that we disappointed Ms. Draper and her travel partner during this trip, and our team has reached out to apologize and hear more about their experience.”
I wrote about a similar issue a few years ago on Korean Airlines and said at the time:
Airlines are in a difficult position on this issue. I understand the liability and it’s not totally unreasonable to wonder why 400 people should suffer on account of one or two. But put it in perspective. What’s more important? Your enjoyment of a bag of peanuts or a Thai dish with spicy peanut sauce or the life of another person? As annoying as it is, I’m willing to forgo peanuts. But I also don’t want an airline to be sued if they ask other passengers not to consume their own peanut-based products they have brought onboard and that request is ignored.
My opinion has not changed: there may be limits to accommodation, but it seems American Airlines could have done a bit more in this case and certainly should not have been so seemingly callous.
That said, if this truly is a life and death situation, you would think the passenger might also want to reach out to American Airlines in advance, at least to have it notated on her itinerary. That might have given AA more time to find a reasonable accommodation (like an alternate snack for business and first class). I don’t blame Draper, though…stating her concern at the airport probably should have been enough.
CONCLUSION
We’re all in this together. I hope we would all put aside short-term enjoyment in order to protect our vulnerable seatmates from a severe reaction. As much as I love warmed mixed nuts when I fly in the forward cabin of a U.S. carrier, I’d give it up for one flight under these circumstances. But if I knew I was going to die if I came into contact with traces of tree nuts in the air, I doubt you’d see me on a plane very often.
Given Korean Air and BA are managed by and employ totally different people, I don’t know why the individual FAs have the ability to entire alter the flight catering for just one person, who did not think to notify the airline in advance of this “life-threatening” allergy.
And this is where the N95 mask really comes in handy!
Am so relieved the nuts didn’t attack that poor woman.
That’s now 2 negative AA articles in a row.
More on the way Klink?
I’ve always found it prohibitively expensive to fly business/first class on international flights, but if a female flight attendant will be there to warm my nuts… count me in!
I too was thinking in that direction of nuts…
Good one Brian !!
You should try it brian. They usually bring you a warm wash cloth to clean up afterwards also
Dude, are you 12? Seriously. The level of inappropriate in your comment is staggering.
This is the age of entitlement and it’s pathetic. She wasnt even sitting in a premium cabin that serves nuts. There is medication to deal with those allergies. My premium paying passengers are much more important than your allergy. Accept that fact or dont fly
“My premium paying passengers are much more important than your allergy”
…
You got a problem with that?
At what point does her lack of preparation become other people’s emergency?
She could wear a mask!
Masks protect what. A chevron gas attendant said it best … if you fart can you smell it in your mask? Well then what does a mask protect. Not covid for sure. Nor a airborne disease or allergy.
Couldn’t she wear a mask or something? LOL.
You are a true [redacted]. I’m gonna guess you believe the election was stolen also. Selfishness makes you a great catch for any true MAGA supporter. Enjoy your lonely lonely life, “BRAD”.
You’re not very bright, are you Jimmy?
More like she’s an entitled Chinacrat. Were you yelling for 4 years Trump stole the election, then take part in an illegal political coup to overthrow the duly elected president? This past election WAS totally fraudulent. They used a census without a citizenship question to mail ballots to 40 million illegal aliens. You figure it out.
Wow. YOUR entitlement and ignorance is palpable. Nut allergies aren’t simply food allergies and are an airborne risk.
When I was in grad school I taught a summer class for highschool students on the university campus. It was in one of those large lecture halls that seats > 200 people but I had 50 in the class. I let the kids spread out. One of the students had a nut allergy and we had to have a very strict no nuts policy that summer as a result.
He was sitting in the front row of the class near the door. A student near the back of the room opened a can nuts. In about 10 minutes the kid at the front started swelling up. He ran out of the room, used his EpiPen in the hall way, and we had one of the campus nurses take him to the hospital (because epipens are only the START of treatment).
We didn’t have any further incidents, but holy hell, I was not prepared for that. An airplane is a much smaller room and the person with the allergy can’t exactly leave once they start reacting. The plane would have to make an regency landing.
Sorry, but IMO, it’s entirely incumbent on the person with the allergy to take precautions and be prepared. Does your student go to ball games? The mall? They can’t live in a nut-free world, and it’s simply unrealistic to expect everyone else to do without nuts.
There are also people who get severe reactions from heavy perfumes. Should we start demanding everyone else go scentless? I’m sorry a rare few people have these conditions, but there are masks, epi-pens and other solutions to help them cope and it is THEIR responsibility to ensure they are properly prepared.
Totally AGREE! This female pax has no ground to stand on….her Allergy is Her Problem, not one to inconvenience a plane full of pax. Her complaint is no different than someone who doesn’t like children….”I do not care to be around screaming, crying, whining and diaper smelling children. Do I have a right to Ban anyone travelling with their rugrats? Hell Fn No!”. This Female Pax is Wrong on more issues than the nuts….She is Nuts! As Judge Judy would say “Decision for the AIrline and the Complaintant needs to either grow a pair or maybe eat some nuts” STOP bowing to these entitled SNOWFLAKES that honestly believe It is All about Them, (It Isn’t and never will Be)
Unfortunately her parents, who are right around my age at 46, most likely read baby books. At least the boomers smoked, drank vodka, and ate everything when they were pregnant with us. Nobody had a nut allergy in the 80’s and 90’s.
Do I detect sarcasm? If so, I enjoy a mutual chuckle. For people not in the know, if masks were magical safety barriers then why is there a pandemic. And why do scientists wear full pressure suits in a level 4 lab?
I agree. Showing up for a flight with the idea an airline can snap its fingers and alter a catering order for hundreds at the last minute is not just ridiculous – it’s irresponsible. If they were conscientious about her health, they would have made her reservation through a live representative over the phone, AFTER being assured her allergy could be accommodated.
I’ve often wondered about this on flights when they announce a nut allergy on board. I never understand how if someone is 10 rows away that another passenger eating nuts would be risky. I mean, do they require a restaurant to cease all nut serving while they are eating in it? Do they announce a nut allergy within every enclosed space they go to which could have someone eating nuts? A friend of mine has a nut allergy and his only concern is eating them. He could care less if I have nuts sitting with him on a plane.
I admit complete ignorance as to the scope of nut allergy risks but it seems absurd if the person is rows away that someone eating them would send her into shock.
Some people have different levels of how allergic they are. This woman appears to have an airborne allergy so just breathing it in is detrimental. My son has a peanut allergy but only if ingested. I’ve been able to on some flights make a note of his allergy just to put the airline on notice and they didn’t serve it at all. AA could have handled the situation better.
Thanks for explaining this. I guess this leads me to my other question, how can someone with such a strong reaction to even distant airborne particles function in society? How do they eat out? Go to offices? Attend social gatherings? Really, in fact, just live without remaining at home in an isolated bubble forever? Is there something about an aircraft that is so different? I mean, as many point out below, we are told that the air circulation is actually better on planes since Covid. None of it makes any sense to me I guess.
People with airborne allergies do live very difficult lives. Often they don’t go out to eat, they struggle with many other normal social interactions. It’s tough and heartbreaking. My kid has 6 confirmed food allergies – almost all of our meals are made at home. And we don’t even struggle with allergies being airborne. I have seen families that struggle far far more than we do.
The thing that is unique about a plane is the fact that there is no medical care available in the air. If they are flying over an ocean, such as in this case, the danger is further magnified.
An epi pen buys time to get to the hospital and a single or even double injection is not guaranteed to stop a reaction. Even if you have quite a bit on hand, you may still not have enough on hand. People have died aboard planes due to having insufficient amounts of epinephrine available to them.
American Airlines doesn’t just serve nuts. They heat them up. This makes the airborne particulates much more likely throughout the plane.
To be honest, she should have booked a flight with another airline. My daughter has a treenut allergy (her most severe) and while it is not, to my knowledge, airborne, I would never ever allow her to fly on American Airlines due to their extensive serving of nuts and the risk it poses to her life.
That being said, the airline’s unwillingness to just not heat up some nuts was pretty insensitive to the life threatening nature of food allergies. People often don’t realize how severe they can be or how imperfect an epi pen in the absence of quick access to a hospital is at saving lives.
The interesting thing here is the tacit admission by the airline that air does in fact circulate throughout the entire aircraft and that a peanut allergy could be a problem For someone with a severe allergy.
The reaction from the crew flies (truthfully) right into the face of all the messaging about Covid-19 not transmitting itself all over the airplane and the many repeated statements by the airlines that the air is completely filtered and passengers are not at risk from one another
Good point Tim. Gary Lefff says we are safe from COVID on planes, but not nuts?
COVID has certainly increased the number of nuts on any given flight…
Oh, wait, that not the kind of nuts we’re talking about.
Air actually does not circulate front to rear but ceiling to floor. Then it is filtered – even SARS-CoV-2 does not escape that – and mixed with fresh air. A seat in the rear of economy would probably have done the job easily.
Allergens are proteins, wich are much much tinier than a COVID -19 vision (one virus unit). The filters on planes filter 99.9 particles above 0.2 micrometers, but filter a lot of the smaller particulates in the cabin air. They’ve been found to be effective in greatly reducing the number of virions in the cabin air but not all, which us why masks are still required.
So basically, a mask may be very effective in filtering out virions or bacteria from the air, but still let water vapor, bad smells, and tiny protein bits through.
You are so wrong. Nut allergies are no joking matter. I react to the smell of nuts instantly and have had to leave trains, trams and buses and even with advance notice given to airlines have had problems there too! I need 4 epipens just to stop the reaction and that isn’t the end of it.
Hi Joanne,
I’m not taking a position against you but how do you eat in restaurants, go to ballgames, get in cabs, etc?
Some poor girl kissed her boyfriend and she died fairly quickly afterwards because he had eaten something with peanuts earlier in the day. It is serious stuff.
My youngest sister is anaphylactic to many things. Dairy, nuts… another is anaphylactic to dogs. They wear masks everywhere they go. They also have epipens. If masks were enough protection then why do they need the epipens?
Fact of the matter is that if you couldn’t breath fully submerged in water with it on (excluding snorkels) then it’s not enough to protect against airborne proteins which are likely smaller than the void spaces in the mask.
Think of why protection during intimacy is the least effective means to prevent pregnancy. The little doodads looking for that egg are smaller than the latex molecules that form the barrier. And that barrier is far more secure than a mask.
Matthew, you are a lawyer. If such a scenario occurs on a plane (they FA announce overhead about an allergy and ask people to avoid eating peanuts), and say a passenger the row behind the person with the allergy opens a bag of peanuts and eat them anyway….allergic person has a reaction and dies over the Atlantic, is there any liability (civil or criminal) on the part of the peanut eater?
I’ve had that announcement made a few times, and like you, I do the decent thing and avoid nuts, its not a big deal.
That’s a good but complicated question – there could certainly be civil liability but probably not criminal liability absent malicious intent (I’m not sure eating nuts would rise to extreme recklessness). I think were that to happen, any ambulance-chasing lawyer would go after the airline and the airline would probably settle to make it go away.
I know how serious nut allergies are. I know that HIPA has policies in place to protect peoples privacy. I am severely allergic to fragrances amongst many other things, what will be done for me? Where does it end? I do not put myself into positions where I could go into anaphylaxis; walking into a florist, candle shop. IF I have to travel, I bring my epi pen. I take the personal risk to protect myself. Where does personal responsibility apply?
Matthew, I am a flight attendant for another US airline. I can’t speak to current policy, but one think I know for certain is that we cannot guarantee a peanut free flight. Even if we make announcements, ask people, there is no way to know if the other pax speak English well enough to understand…or if they would care and not eat that candy bar the purchased in the airport nor do I have a list of all the food ingredients from our catering facility. We do not have 100% control of all pax at all times.
My understanding is that we do not serve peanuts- but other tree nuts in our “hot nut” mix.
This is a conundrum, I love my pax and want to accommodate their needs as best as possible, but I KNOW I CANNOT GUARANTEE a peanut free flight.
Thanks for your comment. I agree, there is no prefect protection.
Yes, nut sensitivities and allergies may cause anything from pruritus to death especially to peanuts. How sensitive can one be, I’ll offer a personal example. On Southwest flight I once enjoyed 1 small bag of their honey roasted nuts and washed it down with 2 lime tonics. about 1 hour later I was met at the airport by my mum, gave her a peck on the cheek and 10 minutes later she mentioned that her tongue felt tingly, and her lips and cheek began to swell and itch. One would think that plenty of time had passed since the peanuts, however, the oils and trace dust were enough to start a reaction. We began to go through possible issues, then she asked what I ate and that’s when we concluded that it was her peanut allergy. That said she popped a Benadryl melt, and we were on our way.
When she travels, she mentions it and writes it in the special conditions section if available. She also carries the Benadryl melts and an Epi-Pen. People need to take precautionary measures for their own health and not lay this upon others or at least be ready for a response in your favour or otherwise. It’s quite possible there may be more to this story? Perhaps the crew felt uncomfortable because she did not come prepared to maintain her own health first and foremost.
My reaction is always the same when this issue comes-up. I’m not going to do something that knowingly puts another person at risk – even if it means no warmed nuts.
But, that said, if you are so allergic to tree nuts that the mere presence of them on an aircraft – and not in your immediate vicinity – puts you at risk of death, then why, for the love of Zeus’ butthole, are you flying on a commercial aircraft? Because even if the airline agreed not to serve nuts, they cannot guarantee a nut free environment. And if a nut free environment is what you need, then flying commercially is taking a mortal risk.
International travel isn’t for everyone and some people are not physically able to do it. Ms. Draper is one of those people, sadly.
Absolutely, unless the plane is steam cleaned after every run, there could be partial bits of nuts left over from a previous passenger. If you’re gonna die, just don’t fly.
Or maybe just serve [redacted] pretzels.
I’m quite confident that there is no constitutional right to consume peanuts on board a Part 121 air carrier’s aircraft.
I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect that an airline can re-cater a flight when the (allegedly) severely allergic person doesn’t tell the airline in advance. Because even if the crew did not serve nuts, they couldn’t realistically prevent other passengers from eating them. So, if I were the captain of the AA flight, I’d probably have the passenger removed too – the risk of her developing a medical condition inflight would have been too great.
The point was that if the woman’s allergy is so deadly that a nut can’t be served, then any nut in any snack or meal consumed by any passenger on the airplane would also be deadly. There’s just no way to guarantee that short of the world going free of nuts. I agree that this is a rare case where accommodation in a public space is simply not feasible.
Next thing you know they’ll be banning cigars.
She lost in life, move on and stop inconveniencing other citizens. Drive or stay home, not our problem. Congratulations to AA for sensing a potential problem passenger and getting them off the plane. As Spock said, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few…or the one.
What a selfish individual. Looks like most here agree.
Driving from London to New York sounds like an interesting road trip.
True. Perhaps she could book passage on the Queen Mary 2, notify Cunard in advance, and remain in her room for most of the crossing. There is a doctor and a sort-of hospital on board, too.
You can’t live without peanuts for 6 hours, you would rather risk someone’s life? I think that is the definition of selfishness. We are all in this together do good for others, food allergies are not a joke they are deadly and terrifying and those who have it by no fault of their own have every right to enjoy safe air travel. If you can’t live without nuts take a car.
Yes. Because what is next? When you give in to these lunatics that are always claiming they are allergic to something it never ends. F this lady and she is the epitome of so much wrong with society today. Hopefully she doesn’t bring any kids into the world with her abnormalities.
And taking about being selfish, how much stuff do you own that you really don’t need? I’m sure someone else could use it more than you Joe. Why are being so selfish by not giving it away?
You are really a class act, no concern for anyone other than yourself and you childish vitriol. My daughter almost died from a nut allergy, believe me when her heart stopped and she turned blue she wasnt a lunatic faking it. I am not sure what went wrong in your life but i recommend consuting with a church or licensed therapist. Life is too short to spew such hate.
And you are irresponsible if you put her in a position to be around nuts if they could kill her. I don’t believe the story but in the unlikely event it is true, how is she going to live her life? Nuts are everywhere, is she going to be like Bubble Boy on Seinfeld? Should every arena stop offering them? Every grocery store? What about Nuts.com? Are they all “risking lives” by even being in business? Where does it stop? You can’t expect others to not live their lives with a simple pleasure because some are effected by nuts. So instead you blame others and say they need help because we aren’t out protesting against the sale of Peanut M&M’s in airports.
She should have warned the airline ahead of time. Like when she booked the flight. That said how about simply eliminating nuts from flights? Find another snack.
Yes. Because what is next? When you give in to these lunatics that are always claiming they are allergic to something it never ends. No sorrow for this lady and she is the epitome of so much wrong with society today. Hopefully she doesn’t bring any kids into the world with her abnormalities.
And taking about being selfish, how much stuff do you own that you really don’t need? I’m sure someone else could use it more than you Joe. Why are you being so selfish by not giving it away?
If the person is so allergic that the mere presence of nuts in a forward cabin is a danger to them, then what of the nuts that were served on the previous flights? Their severe allergy would require a completely “nut-sterile” aircraft, which simply could not be accommodated.
I would wager this couple became intolerable when told their demands were not going to be met, so they were deplaned. They can’t hold hostage an entire widebody aircraft.
I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. NO ONE had nut allergies. Where did this come from?
And if your that compromised, don’t travel!
My health is bad, I lost at life, I don’t ask others to make accommodations for me…..
There could be parents with young children onboard eating PB&J snacks. And they would also need to be told in advance don’t pack that as a snack.
I think we are asking too much of the airline. Some things you have to take personal responsibility for.
If anyone is selfish, it’s twits like you. I have allergies. You have no idea what kind of hell most of us live in all the time, and all you want to do is toss it off cruelly as a “bad deal in life”? It’s self important a***oles like you that make life hell for others.
Are you really willing to put your life in the hands of 100+ strangers? Because, if you are as allergic as the subject of this story claims to be, that is what you are doing.
Too bad. You lost the genetic lottery. Stay home or wear a space suit. You are not normal. Stop trying to bend others behavior to make yourself normal.
You are not…..
Clearly from some of the demented posts by trolls on this thread the real people that “lost at life” are the sociopaths who have nothing better to do than harass people who are suffering with life threatening food allergies
The issue is that dangerous food allergies have increased more than 600% for reasons no one knows. There is speculation that it come from newer vaccines, GMO’s or other but we don’t know yet.
An airplane is an enclosed space sitting close to others and nut residue if touched can trigger a dangerous reaction. The plane cannot land fast enough to get to a hospital and an epi pen is not always enough to stop a reaction.
Because of the increase in life threatening allergies Southwest replaced peanuts with pretzels, what an awesome move! Such a small change can go a long way.
My daughter who has allergies has every right to get on an airplane to see her aging grandparents or take a nice vacation. She doesn’t need a bubble suit she just needs some of the idiots on this thread to not chomp their sacred peanut butter sandwich next to her. People with disabilities such as being in a wheel chair, blind, etc also need accommodations in transportation, it is the right thing to do. Do on to others as you would like others to do to you.
On my flight next week I am going to take Peanuts, Peanut M&M’s and a box of Goobers. And I’m going to enjoy them the entire flight in your honor Joe Smith. And in honor of your righteousness toward others. And with all your judgement I see don’t understand your point. Are you asking airlines to ban nuts on every flight by every customer? And sorry your kid ended up “special”.
Leaving aside the issue of what the airline should or should not do when aware of a passenger with nut allergies, Joe Smith, are you really comfortable trusting your daughter’s well being to the compliance of strangers? Do you travel with a stash of nut free snacks to hand out to people near you who may have brought a nut-based food item on board?
The aircraft isn’t cleaned that well between flights. There likely is trace amounts of nuts on the seams, floor, tray table etc.
Additionally, nuts are not banned on board.
This is the same situation in buses, malls, restaurants. You have every right to be in all of them, but since none of them are guaranteed to be nut free, the onus of safety is still on you.
I’d PURPOSELY eat nuts right in front of that entitled twat.
Who the heck do these a-holes (libs) think they are to try to intimidate a whole plane?
Not only would I have the b!tch off the plane, but I’d DRAG her off by her hair.
And her pussy “boy companion”, too.
Wow. This is a blog version of air rage. Some people can’t be civil giving their opinions. What a sad state. To go out of your way to make life harder for this person just shows what kind of person you are. I feel bad that you’ve had such a hard life.
I know this isn’t a COVID article, but you can’t divorce this story from one of the most significant issues facing our society today – the death of any sense of the Common Good.
Too few people today are willing to be even the slightest bit inconvenienced to help another person. It’s precisely the same issue as mask wearing.
We have become a nation of selfish individualists with no interest in anyone’s interests but their own.
I was thinking that this translates easily into Covid scenarios, with the main differences being that getting vaccinated and boosted will actually free you to do what you want and vaccinations will protect all parties rather than just the unusually vulnerable.
“We have become a nation of selfish individualists ”
But that’s what we are, individualists. This country everyday makes a choice, we will let many people die because they cannot afford healthcare. I don’t see why any dumb f$^ck would expect anyone to care about others.
I will bet that everyone is allergic to something and can pull the allergy sob story on an airplane. If you are that allergic, just take a private charter flight. BTW – lots of people are allergic to dog or cat dander but I note that airlines allow anyone to bring a pet into the cabin if they pay the pet fee.
Wait wait wait. A mask can filter out a microscopic virus, but not good particles? This was a couple looking for trouble and getting more publicity than they deserve (i.e., more than zero).
Food particles.
Makes sense: inconvenience a plane full of people for one outlier. That’s not selfish at all. Is it a reasonable expectation for all humans to bend to your will? Don’t make your crisis my crisis, please.
I used to think how crazy it is that someone could be so allergic to something they could go into anaphylaxis shock if the item was just few feet away from them. Well a coworker of mine is so allergic to apples, that she started to have reactions when i was just 20 feet from her with my apple. And it was mild reactions. (In fairness, she wasn’t supposed to be in the office that day). We have signs all over the office and everyone is happy to oblige. In case you are wondering, she has to wear a mask in the supermarket to avoid the apples in the produce section; and she does carry an epi pen for emergencies. I don’t see the issue to not eat nuts on a flight if someone is that allergic. If anything happened to that passenger, I wouldn’t want that on my conscious. And nuts are high in fat. don’t know about you but I could always reduce my fat intake 🙂
Again, the issue is not whether the airline should not serve nuts, it’s whether someone who is (allegedly) that allergic should fly on an airliner? Seems to me like doing so is gambling with your life.
I think everyone is missing the real story here and it’s the fact that American Airlines flight attendants insisted on providing full scheduled service.
You win!!!
I am amazed that people here seem to think that molecules jump off a substance and fly dozen of feet to be breathed in and cause anaphylaxis. If this were possible, how could you even walk down the street without dying? My blog partner was a medical doctor and even wrote a post saying that this was medically impossible. You would not believe the vitriol on that post from people that simply would not believe his medical advice. My daughter who is also an M.D. says her greatest enemy is the internet and the things her patients thinking they are medical experts.
What happens when a person with such severe nut allergies walks through an airport, super market, or shopping mall? Nuts and nut products are widely available in all of them. I’m not criticizing—I’m just curious.
I like that many people around are so very selfless. I really do. It is good to be kind and yes many would surely miss out on those nuts, even if we don’t fully understand etc. But! Facts first: nut allergy is not airborne. At least not to a degree that might be dangerous for an allergic Person: https://ki.se/en/research/no-danger-of-peanuts-in-the-air
Also: https://www.aaaai.org/allergist-resources/ask-the-expert/answers/old-ask-the-experts/peanut-air-travel
It is not a matter of inconvenience. I’m the event she gets on and had an allergic reaction, whether or not they chose to suspend the service, the airline can be sued for liability. Whether they win or not, the airline is out the expense of attorney or more likely an out of court settlement. BA is now willing to accommodate. Wonderful. Book BA. But I’m so likelihood, BA also operates under a differing set of tort law practices. The environment in the U.S. is simply hostile. AA made the right call and should not feel the need to apologize at all. For AA it is a matter of economics and safety. Their job is to make sure the flight doesn’t kill anyone. It is her job to make sure her allergies don’t kill her. Every exception cannot be reasonably accommodated.
So let me get this right, she expects that no one would eat nuts (either provided in first class or brought on board on their own) because she is allergic?
Laughable, rent a plane next time.
I am allergic to cat and dog hair and they have never cared one bit about this. When a massive dog was right behind me in Delta Comfort Plus the advice I got was that I can sit in the back somewhere.
There needs to be some middle ground for these situations. Including airlines getting some tasty non-nut snacks if a peanut allergy was reported up to 48 hours before departure. Dogs on board should only be allowed pending prior medical clearance and provided none of the passengers who are already booked are allergic. Vice versa, if they tell you that a dog will be on the flight, as someone who is allergic you can just pick a different flight,
Or we just deal with it like everyone else does. Be considerate, but also be prepared for your own unique needs.
A certain shrill frequency that some children hit gives me a migraine. Am I eligible to also say no kids on my flight?
Next these lunatics will be protesting airports selling overpriced M&M’s and requesting TSA comes up with a nut detector to avoid them getting on flights.
With Ms Draper’s severe nut allergy, and her apparently not finding a place to register this on the booking form… you would think she would contact American Airlines in advance ?, NOT wait till the day of flight. I know we are all in this world together, but you have to take some responsibility for yourself…. like she presumably does, given the world has supermarkets, movie theatres, work environments, trains, Doctors offices, etc. we all share.
P.S. I seem to remember on the Delta booking form there is a place to register nut or other allergies, or issues that may affect you.
She lists herself as a feminist with she/her pronouns provided.
She was sitting in economy class despite the nuts only being served in business/first. Nuts are a normal part of life. I’m sure that she walks by people eating nuts in a cafeteria, in a restaurant, in a park, in front of a street vendor, and etc. From what was related by the story, the flight attendants didn’t kick her off for her nut allergy but because she seemed to become a problem. Given the first line above, it’s not hard to imagine this girl taking a terse and indignant attitude. The flight attendant correctly pointed out she has an epipen and her boyfriend knows how to use it. One can argue that not serving nuts in economy is sensible given most people fly economy and the close proximity increases the risk. However, business class/first are different. The risks of being exposed are much lower. If the woman takes the subway where some person can eat a package of nuts, I’m sure she can take a flight in economy far away from business/first where nuts are served.
I am deathly allergic to idiots. Next time I fly, I want all idiots removed from that flight.
If that were to take place, flights would be significantly less cramped. Some of the low-cost airlines may actually go out of business.
It’s really important that the airlines accommodate disability, including the inability to fly with people eating nuts or carrying random animals in the aircraft. I see this as an ADA issue, and it’s the carrier’s responsibility to comply with the law. AA likely needs to get rid of the warm mixed nuts they’re known for and create amuse-bouches that are just as enjoyable. Snack mix without nuts would be a good start. That way, the accommodation issue disappears for those who are nut-sensitive, and flight attendants wouldn’t have to do anything about it.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is specific to disabilities. Allergies are not recognised as a disability.
Yes they actually are.
People with nuts should be banned from flying.
Are you going to provide me with a dairy free alternative that is low carbohydrate? That is what I need to have available for a snack as a person with diabetes and a dairy allergy. I don’t see people with other allergies demanding they be accommodated. Why this particular allergen over all the others. When I went to a restaurant that served shellfish cooked I was asked to go to another restaurant close by and the restaurant arranged for it to happen. Did I demand to have a hibachi style meal without shellfish be served to all those who wanted to order the shellfish. No I changed restaurants to one that could accommodate me.
I disagree with the insinuation of some commenters that this passenger is at fault for this one. The passenger tried to note it on her reservation, but couldn’t. She tried to notify the check-in agent, but she was directed to the gate agent, who directed her to the cabin crew.
Sure, she could have called the airline- but nut allergies are pretty common, and refraining from serving nuts when there’s a known allergy is pretty common practice, so in her shoes I would have assumed that notification at the airport would be sufficient. It’s also worth noting that BA seemed to be able to accommodate her with no issue.
I agree with you, and I remember various (although not an excessive number) British Airways flights where this announcement was made and suitable catering still provided.
I think also that the problem on American may extend beyond the presence of the nuts, but that they warm them up in the galley with the aromas wafting around the cabins (all of them, F, J and Y) so I think there is more exposure than if someone a few rows away opened up a little bag of the same thing.
People do seem to be insensitive to legitimate medical conditions that can have dire consequences. I always fly at least in Business and quite often in First, but I’d never want my catering to put someone else’s health at risk.
I think the answer is bringing back caviar on more flights… definitely better than peanuts.
If you have a heart condition you should not fly.
how noble of you Matthew …. to be able to speak and represent all of the other passengers on the flight. We are fortunate to have you. Perhaps next time you will offer to pay for everyones flight.
I only speak for myself.
Easy solution…ban nuts from flying.
If this 26-year-old woman really is this sensitive to nuts (by the way peanuts are legumes, not a nut, and that’s what most people are allergic to), then it is HER responsibility to take special procedures, clothing, bring an oxygen tank, EpiPen, whatever she needs, not to force 400 people to accommodate her wants and needs. So disgusted with people who think the world revolves around them. In this case, AA did the right thing in kicking them off the plane.
I really didn’t need yet another reason to avoid AA but here they present me with one. How an FA can be so intolerant is beyond me. And not just intolerant but cavalier about something so important as an allergy. Sheesh.
Last week I was in the AC lounge at YUL. I asked for some peanuts to go with my Canadian. I was told no peanuts were served in the lounge in case someone is allergic. I miss the Silverkris lounge in Singapore.
Fundamentally, though, there’s a problem. You can say “I’m willing to give up my packet of peanuts or my Thai sauce”, but peanuts are not the only allergen. Do you remove everything that is a potential allergen for someone? That could lead to a never ending cascade of prohibited materials. No crab meat. No fish. No Wheat Flour, No Soy. No powdered milk (or mil products) – these are all things for which anaphylaxis has been reported as a result of inhalation. The list of possible materials is quite long, and, yes, admittedly rare.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC2651849/
As it happens, the actual risk in an airplane from dust or smell is quite low.
“However, the peanut allergic flier should rest assured that since the issue was first studied in 2004, data have consistently shown that peanut dust does not become airborne nor does inhaling peanut butter vapors provoke a reaction, that skin contact with either form of peanut is unlikely to cause any reaction beyond local irritation that can be washed off, and lastly that surfaces (including hands) that become contaminated with peanut can be easily washed off.”
https://www.aaaai.org/allergist-resources/ask-the-expert/answers/old-ask-the-experts/peanut-air-travel
if you walk far enough down the path of allergen avoidance, we run into the interesting problem of allergens carried by other passengers.
What about allergens on other passenger’s clothing or carried on? If I scarfed down my bag of mixed nuts before boarding, and there was peanut dust on my clothes, what then? If I’m allergic to peanuts, and the person in the adjacent seat drags our their trail mix, who moves?
I think that someone with significant risk of allergic reactions needs to take responsibility for themself – barrier clothing, face masks, etc. Or, make a risk assessment that you’ll grab the epipen if needed. Or find another means of transportation that is compatible with their condition.
Lots of snarky comments to a pretty serious problem. I would guess that on almost every flight today there is at least one or more persons with a nut allergy. It’s really that prevalent though the level of sensitivity does vary of course. One of the easier options is just not to serve nuts on airplanes anymore as its really not an inconvenience. Now, even though you could eliminate nuts if you read labels, most of them say “produced in a facility that processes nut products” so if its a really bad sensitivity almost no way to 100% eliminate the possible presence. I think airlines could try harder but people that sensitive also need to realize total elimination is not possible so travel with the Epipen
Thanks Matthew as this is the most discussion in quite awhile
This is nonsense. If your allergy issues are that severe, don’t fly or go private. And btw, no one’s allergies are so specific that it’s only an airline problem – how about cinemas, restaurants, life?
Keep serving nuts. We’re told by airlines, given their air filtration system, that we can’t get covid on a plane. So the odds that someone many rows away from 1st class would suffer from airborne nuts is so remote, it’s silly. Even if the airline stopped serving nuts — and they should NOT — but even if they did, some passengers can still bring them onboard and eat them on their own. So what next, we start searching the bags of every passenger on board to be sure they haven’t smuggled winged nuts onboard? If it really is that dire a likelihood of anaphylaxis, than nut-allergy prone passengers should never be around a group of persons, any one of whom could open a bag of nuts at any time. If flying is that dangerous, drive.
First class isn’t the source – they usually have canapés.
It’s back in Business where they’re slurping down the nuts that have been heated in the galley for everyone to smell.
And then a passenger in economy who attempted to advise the airline in advance has a problem. Thankfully, they found their answer… an airline that takes health seriously (and still serves canapés to those who like them).
Insanity. This person wanted nothing but publicity from the start, and it echoes throughout her Twitter feed. No, the rest of the planet does not have to suffer your whims. The people who payed 5-10 times the cost that you did should not have to change their entire behavior pattern. My wife doesn’t like bridges and suffers panic attacks if she attempts to drive across them. I suppose the state should be forced to fill waterways with concrete so that she isn’t forced to risk her life simply to drive somewhere?
Or, maybe she just doesn’t drive over bridges and everyone else can go about their lives?
This woman is narcissism at its finest.
I’m just sitting here reading this comments and eating some nuts.
I have a peanut allergy. If I’m served peanut I just don’t eat it. No big deal.
This was a timely article.
I was on a flight to HNL the other day and there was an announcement made to please refrain from eating nuts because of a passenger with an allergy.
Just my luck that my wife had purchased spring rolls with peanut sauce and a big bag of cashews for the flight.
The AA FA is full of … Clear sense of entitlement that makes them disgraceful. Just the other day on a Delta flight the FA announced they wouldn’t be serving any nuts because a passenger was allergic. Nobody complained.
About 3 million Americans have peanut allergy (about 1-3 percent of the population). There were probably 8-12 passengers on that particular flight that have that particular allergy, note it is more common in children than adults. It is not really a problem until it is a problem. The difficulty is that it is a pretty common airborne allergy. Southwest Airlines has stopped serving peanuts about 2 years ago, due to the number of lawsuits, flight delays and diversions If there is a public service announcement that there is a passenger or child with an airborne food allergy then it is up to you to decide what is the right thing to do.
But remember last April a A 27-year-old resident of St Joseph, Missouri was charged with first-degree assault for allegedly using peanuts to inflict harm on a man with a peanut allergy.
Five Guys may start an airline and this could get out of hand with the peanuts in every class.
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/654995/why-five-guys-serves-free-peanuts
What apparently no one has asked yet. Doesn’t an N95 mask filter out nut particles??? Of course it does. So given current mask requirements, she would have been just fine.
That’s actually a very interesting point.
Before COVID there were many no nut announcements- seems less of an issue recently
This chick didn’t do her homework! It’s CLEARLY spelled out on AA.com
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/dining/special-meals-and-nut-allergies.jsp
Nut allergy?
Although we don’t serve peanuts, we do serve other nut products (such as warmed nuts) and there may be trace elements of unspecified nut ingredient, including peanut oils, in meals and snacks. Additionally, other customers can bring peanuts or other tree nuts on board.
We can’t accommodate requests to not serve certain foods or to provide nut “buffer zones.” Our planes are cleaned regularly, but can’t guarantee the removal of nut allergens on surfaces or in the air filters. Because of this, we can’t guarantee you won’t be exposed to peanuts or other tree nuts during flight, and we strongly encourage those with allergies to take all necessary medical precautions before flying.
How much more clearer can this be? People don’t do their homework before traveling. They just play the “poor little pitiful me card” and it doesn’t work like that any more!
Do your homework. LEARN and READ how ALL airlines are different.
When raising our child with a nut allergy we taught him the world is not going to change for him he needs to adapt to the world around him. Never asked for special accomodations at schools. We just made sure the school was aware of his allergy and made sure he had his epi pen. Taught him to ask or read ingredients in foods before eating.
I think that’s what this airline passenger was doing. She was protecting herself in her inquiry and it would have been nice If they accommodated her but they didn’t so you remove yourself from the situation. There were many situations for our child growing up where people were very helpful and other situations where they could care less. But in the end it’s on the person with the allergy to avoid putting themselves in jeopardy.
Here’s Delta’s nut policy –
https://www.delta.com/us/en/accessible-travel-services/dietary-needs-and-allergies
Here’s United’s nut policy –
https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/special-needs/food-allergies.html
AA has a policy that is similar to United
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/experience/dining/special-meals-and-nut-allergies.jsp
Expand “Nut Allergy”
Although we don’t serve peanuts, we do serve other nut products (such as warmed nuts) and there may be trace elements of unspecified nut ingredient, including peanut oils, in meals and snacks. Additionally, other customers can bring peanuts or other tree nuts on board.
We can’t accommodate requests to not serve certain foods or to provide nut “buffer zones.” Our planes are cleaned regularly, but can’t guarantee the removal of nut allergens on surfaces or in the air filters. Because of this, we can’t guarantee you won’t be exposed to peanuts or other tree nuts during flight, and we strongly encourage those with allergies to take all necessary medical precautions before flying.
The world has gone NUTS
Couldn’t she just, I dunno, wear a mask? Because we all know that a mask can protect us from deadly airborne, microscopic pathogens, right? Are “nut particles” more easily transmissible through an airplane than COVID? Serious question.
A virus like SARS-Cov2 has about 30 copies of spike protein on its surface, a big RNA and a number of other proteins inside. So it really is a lot bigger that a single peanut allergy protein and easier to filter out.
Having said that, as someone with a severe cocoa allergy myself (yes, that exists), you (me, specifically) can’t expect everyone to understand or even be aware that mole contains cocoa.
I want to know, how did she walk past the airport bar, with its bowls of open peanuts?
The last time I traveled, my carry-on was full of peanut “crumbs“ because I used it for hiking multiple days before and was eating peanuts. Probably not that uncommon, depending where you’re traveling to/from.
My suggestion the passenger make a donation to a charity that the airlines keep and are people favorite.
I, and many others would gladly inconvenience ourselves for someone giving back tangibly while asking others to sacrifice.
Drunk again? Lots of rambling while says nothing coherent.
There is no evidence that nut or peanut allergies are airborne in that condition. When processed and pulverized in a processing plant, yes. Not on a plane and 2 cabins away. The passenger was completely wrong and had no basis for this drama. By the way, my brother in law was one of the first researchers in the field of peanut allergy over 35 years ago. There was a study in 2004 refuting airborne exposure on a plane.
The prevalence of food intolerance perceived as allergies is increasing exponentially over the last decade. MY wife after 30 years of marriage claimed she is allergic to gluten and would no longer eat past I made or meatloaf with bread crumbs etc. etc. etc. I once made a meat loaf with ground up rice krispies to “allow’ for her “allergy” and that worked and she was fine. I still make it today with bread crumbs, but as long as she believes it’s rice krispies, she’s just fine. Same goes for the pasta I put in the “gluten free” box.
So she expected AA at the last minute to totally revamp their fit and Biz class serivce? Sorry, but AA did the right thing. If there is a person with a known risk, I can see why AA does not want to assume the risk. The nuts are already at the plane. Other passengers may have nut products. She expected to just show up t the airport and suddenly AA would change their service routine at the last minute on her say so> I don’t think so. AA did her favor. The sense of self-entitlement is amazing. I appreciate the medical issue but it is not everyone else’s prlblem. BA did a nice thing by altering service, but they must have had some warning. In the US she could fly SW who no longer serves peanuts.
I think American has taken a “we just don’t care” stance on a lot of issues, including this one. There’s a reason they rank just above Spirit and Fromtier overall. If you want a better flying experience, fly Delta or Southwest. I’ve had two medical emergencies aboard AA in the last 5 years. In one, I thought I was having a heart attack but it was a novel bout of severe acid reflux. The other happened to my then 2 year old who we found out mid-flight was allergic to nuts (peanut butter never triggered him up to that point but something about the mixed nuts did). Poor baby was swollen up like Rocky after a bad fight and both his mom and I were scared shitless. In both situations, we got no sympathy from the crew. Just a very cold and detached “do you want to declare an emergency?” I’m not a doctor or a commercial pilot. Why is it up to me? They never notified the pilot or called for a doctor on board. They also claimed they could offer us no medical assistance even though they’re allegedly legally required to carry certain antihistamines and perhaps even epinephrine on board. I’ve just learned to fly, nay live, knowing it’s everyone for themselves. Thankfully my son was able to continue breathing, albeit very lethargically, and recovered soon after we landed once we procured an antihistamine at the airport. Scariest hour and a half of my life.
Firstly, people with allergies are not “lunatics”. Secondly, people with mental health problems should be treated wuth compassion and kindness. Nuts are not essential, I imagine that most people can go without for the length of a flight.
As nuts are among the most common food allergies which cause life threatening effects, I’m surprised airlines serve them at all.
One wonders how this individual copes with going to a restaurant, or into a bar, where nuts are commonly set out as snacks or ingredients included in cooking. Does she expect them to withdraw all nuts and make announcements when she enters? I would be very curious to know if she ever goes out to eat, or parties with friends. My sister has a severe allergy to walnuts, but so long as she stays a few feet away from them and doesn’t touch the bowl which held them and may have residues of the nut oil, she’s fine, and mom includes them in her baking and includes them in a mixed nuts snack when we all gather at holidays.
This “airborne” nut allergy is a myth. A fabrication. It doesn’t exist. These are not possible. The only airborne nut problem is when Allergy Karens Nuts fly.
Its not scientifically possible. Not medically possible. You think American hasn’t consulted experts?
Don’t eat nuts. Don’t suck on the fingers of someone who ate nuts. But don’t demand an entire plane honor your request when there’s no factual basis for this “airborne nut allergy” syndrome.
Surprised there wasn’t a 12lb yip yip emotional support cat also involved.
Awww poor baby just stay home and nurse you nut allergies , or pack an app is pen and shut your pie hole.
I am sympathetic to people who have health issues, but I also think that people who would die if they had a reaction to peanuts or another common food item onboard, even with an epipen, should not be flying. It’s just too risky. So the crew were right to de-plane her. As the UA terms state, “For operational reasons, we cannot remove any onboard products based on individual customer requests, and we do not offer allergen-free buffer zones on our aircraft. Since we cannot guarantee allergen-free flights, we encourage customers to review any health concerns with their physicians prior to flying.” I think that is pretty fair and clear.
I would point out, too, that after boarding is too late. Like many people, I probably have a bag of trail mix with me and have been munching on it since boarding early.
One other question – some people are allergic to dogs or cats. What do they do? I frequently see dogs on flights, sometimes cats.
I agree with a comment asking when does it end? Does this person refrain from every public setting or do they enter buildings, stores and other enclosed spaces regularly? This is simply someone wanting the rest of the world to change because of their issue. If it is so severe make other arrangements. Rent a car. I would have said take a train or bus, but the same issue would arise. We were asked not to send any nuts to school when older son was in first grade. I reached out to find out if it was an airborne issue or simply ingesting of the nuts. Due to privacy they couldn’t tell me. I did my own research and found that peanut butter would have zero affect as it would not be airborne and continued sending p, b, and j sandwiches for my son’s lunch. He was a picky eater and this was one of the few protein sources he would eat. Nothing ever happened. I understand doing what you can to help someone, but we weren’t going to sacrifice our son’s health.
according to the american academy of allergy asthma and immunology, repeated studies have shown that the alleged risk in airplanes is virtually non-existent. i’ll stick with the science over anecdotal horror stories.
As a regular flier with American, who due do FF status, is regularly upgraded to business/ first domestically, and with system upgrades is regularly in Business for my occasional international work trips. I am fortunate that my work travel affords me enough miles that when my wife and I fly for leisure, it is almost always business.
The reason for this lengthy preamble is that it close to two years since I recall receiving the warm nuts regularly.
Even when we went transatlantic business class in December, I didn’t recall the nuts being served.
Whilst I have no wish to try to diminish the risks posed by allergies ( both my wife and myself are subject to them, hers more serious than mine ), I would say that we are each responsible for our own safety.
The likelihood of someone in coach dying because a small ( and believe me, the portions of heated nuts AA serve are small.vitvis only an ” amuse bouche” before the meal is served) portion of nuts are being served to up to 4o people up front, has to be extremely small. If your allergy is so extreme that trace particles which can be absorbed into a forced air system, and not caught by the filtration system ( which let us please not forget have been improved since the adventure of Covid), can be life threatening, then it is incumbent upon yourself to do the research, and book accordingly.
I have to say that the way this article is written and presented smacks of sensationalism. Designed purely to provide clickbait to the experience of one person at the extreme end of the spectrum, who, possibly, made these arrangements knowing the policies of both AA. And BA , and knowing that a publicity seeking problem ob AA, could get them rebooked on BA.
There was nothing to stop them booking BA in the first instance.
Do your own research for your own issues, and travel accordingly.
I think dismissing this article as clickbait is unfair. This is an interesting issue and obviously comes up from to time. I do find the different approaches between AA and BA to be noteworthy.
FAA / Airlines accommodates the mentally ill with “companion pets”. What about the majority of passengers that don’t love your cat, dog, snake, bird and other health hazards.
Goofy people will always claim some Karen need that makes them special.
I develop a serious rash whenever I am within sight of a snowflake, but so far I have not tried to get them kicked off a flight. But I guess I am now entitled to a snowflake-free flight.
Y”all better get ready to board AOC’s low-carbon-impact, taxpayer-funded, trans-America train!
Hilarious. There are no known cases of “airborne” nut allergens affecting ANYONE in study history. (I searched journals and publications). And yes, studies have actually been done to test for any possible impact inhaling nut allergens might have. Answer: everyone survived.
But more hilarious is the assumption that the individual should proceed with booking a ticket online – “I looked everywhere to check a box and couldn’t find it! – then show up for a flight IN ECONOMY and deign to dictate how EVERY OTHER PASSENGER on the flight should have their own experiences diminished by the nonsensical claims of a flight troll.
Certainly if someone experiences life threatening allergies, then avoiding the possibility of exposure at all costs is more important than flying. Why didn’t they drive to their destination? Too far? Then Zoom is an attractive and safe option. Meanwhile, First class passengers are entitled to their warm nuts. They paid for them!
Another massive traffic event on LALF! I hope one day we’ll get a story about a lazy FA on a regional subsidiary of AI or PK refusing to do any service other than serve nuts to maskless passengers. Comment section would be absolute FIRE!!
I wonder if she questions serving of nuts in every restaurant & bar she enters & they stop serving them for her. Not saying that AA shouldn’t have accommodated her but they assume liability if she has an attack on board even when they agree not to serve them. Other food items on board could contain nuts too. How can she be sure other than to not consume anything on board? And even then, just being in the same air space of someone who’s consumed something with nuts can set off an attack. That’s why Epi Pens are a good idea.
here is my take: I can live without nuts for a few hours. Easy. I think though: where does it end? Everyone getting on the plane could have their own request. If you think not, have you seen all the ‘service dogs” on planes? I could say the smell of alcohol causes me to swell up. Then what? no drinks on planes?
But… like I started with, I can skip the nuts on a flight. They are human beings with very serious health issues and we could all be a little tolerant and even helpful. —- until it gets out of hand.
I have Flown first class three times in the last year on three different airlines and where are my damn warm nuts they do not serve them in first class Anymore! The last flight I had was in November on a Delta I even had a laying down bed flight and I still did not get warm cashews/peanuts LOL I don’t think they’re really doing them anymore during the pandemic but I sure do miss having them. to this article if the person has that severe of an allergy that she can’t even be within 10/20 feet of a nut stay off the damn plant it’s your problem it’s not everybody else’s problem to have to accommodate you I have milk allergies I don’t care what people are eating or serving anywhere around me . Hahaha Also last time I checked everybody has to wear a mask on a plane
Did the Karen offer to buy replacement meals for everyone in coach who bought a Thai burrito at the airport to eat on the plane? Did the Karen offer any sort of reasonable way that the airline or her co-passengers could have time to make alternate arrangements for eating? No. American, like most other airlines quit peanuts in coach quite some time ago. I suspect that AA did a real live medical investigation before they decided to continue warm not pea nuts in Business Class. Their policy (very clearly and appropriately) declines to take on any responsibility for making their flight environment nut free. While the FA was not a gracious about it as she could have been, it would have been against company policy for her to honor the passenger’s request. If the passenger then gets insistent and disruptive then off the flight she goes (and probably onto the AA no-fly list).
Regardless of policy, passenger has rights under US DOT rules. While airline can’t and isn’t required to guarantee a nut free environment, they must make reasonable attemps. They also can’t deny access to flight under the rules.
Nut allergies are serious things. Simply getting oil on you can kill. Anyone that severe should have an EPIPEN. If needed the plane will then have to divert. EPIPENS provide temporary relief, usually 15-30 minutes. However they can’t deny boarding simply cause this might happen.
What? WTF.Stay at home if you are so alergic…
There is no “right to fly or travel” I used to fly but no longer its too expensive it’s too cramped and the crew have become little Idi Amin’s and currently I refuse to sit in a pressurized beer can with a diaper on my face. So I drive. International travel not withstanding I have no desire to see a country that disdains me even though we saved them from the showers.
“…stating her concern at the airport probably should have been enough.”
The logistics of managing food service on a plane are not something that can be changed based on a request made upon arriving at the airport. As consumers we have choices. If you have a life threatening allergy seek out airlines that accommodate your needs. Make no assumptions, your life depends upon it.
Fly private if you have all these issues. If someone pays for nuts and you’re allergic it’s no more their fault like it isn’t yours. The entitlement of people just blows my mind.
https://www.aaaai.org/allergist-resources/ask-the-expert/answers/old-ask-the-experts/peanut-air-travel#:~:text=They%20found%20no%20detectable%20peanut,and%20not%20from%20airborne%20levels.
It’s undocumented in medical history according to experts that she has an airborne nut allergy. Wear a 95 mask and dont eat the airline food.
Sorry but if she’s so allergic to ‘airborne particles of nuts’ how on earth does this woman simply walk down the street without dying.
I call BS on anyone who flies but is supposesly THAT allergic. What do you suppose the chances are that the airline scrubs the plane from top to bottom every flight? There would be particulates everywhere.
I am sympathetic to people with nut allergies, but I’m curious whether the restaurants and shops in the airport were also told not to sell or serve nuts during her time at the airport.
American airlines from my experience when I flew from Arizona to West Virginia was the worst time of my life.
Every flight was rerouted or departed late an never made next airport to next flight on time was rebooted an then in Miami my 1st plane was removed because it was struck by lightning so next one they tried to use was removed because it had no lights. My flight left at 6 am phoenix to arrive in 3 hours in west Virginia nope left at 6 am an now its 2 am an they canceled the flight I slept on floor at airport till next morning at 1145 I rented a car the flight never got fixed. Not to mention my luggage had been destroyed by American airlines an searched My stuff 2xs from what this gov card said. Year later I’m still fighting them. They offered me $100 for the inconvenience losers. Worst airline ever!!!
My daughter asked American Airline stewardess not to serve nuts while on a flight just yesterday, April 4th. They of course said they had to serve the nuts. My daughter did have her mask, however, she ended up having an anaphylactic reaction. It was life threatening and needed two epi pens and an emergency landing in Nebraska. When she got to the ER, another epi pen administered. She is still in the hospital all bc American Airlines insists on serving nuts. I truly do not understand as their policy almost killed my daughter. We r now traveling to Nebraska and driving 20 hours home for her safety. It would have been so much easier not to serve the nuts inside of having to divert a flight to save my daughter’s life.
Yikes!