Peanuts on planes?

[mrsaumock]

I haven't flown since 2010. Do airlines still give peanuts as snacks? It might seem like an odd thing to ask, but dd has a severe peanut allergy and my imagination is working overtime (peanut being left behind in a seat, dd reacting, using epi pen at 30,000 feet etc). And yes, I'm the one who started the thread about fear of flying, but no this isn't a way to get out of it. TIA!

 

[n2mm]

I haven't flown since 2010. Do airlines still give peanuts as snacks? It might seem like an odd thing to ask, but dd has a severe peanut allergy and my imagination is working overtime (peanut being left behind in a seat, dd reacting, using epi pen at 30,000 feet etc). And yes, I'm the one who started the thread about fear of flying, but no this isn't a way to get out of it. TIA!

It really depends on the airline, however, since passengers can bring food and snacks on board you can address this with the FA. I was on a flight home once and couldn't wait to jump into that bag of cinnamon pecans I had just purchased from EPCOT. Then the FA announced that there was a passenger on board with a severe nut allegery and asked passengers not to open/consume any nuts products.

 

[dis_guy]

I'd definitely call the airline and have a medical note added to your daughter's reservation. Then once on board, I'd tell the purser or head FA, whoever it is, about your daughter's condition. I think you will be fine. I fly a lot and I can't remember the last time I've seen anyone eating nuts on a plane.

 

[DLgal]

If your daughter has a really sensitive allergy, like a peanut dust or contact allergy that can result in anaphylaxis, I would steer you away from flying in general. Planes are never really thoroughly cleaned. There WILL be peanut traces on a plane that serves them and even if they don't, passemgers might have peanut containing snacks anyway.

If its only an ingestion that causes a reaction, you will be fine to fly and just bring your own safe snacks onboard.

 

[malibuconlee]

Southwest still gives out peanuts on flights.

I'd suggest a discussion with your allergist.

 

[focusondisney]

I know JetBlue offers nuts. I just checked their website & it lists "King's deluxe nut mix". A check of the King's nut website lists the deluxe mix as cashews, almonds & pecans, "roasted in peanut oil".

I'm assuming that would not be safe for someone with a peanut allergy.

 

[irishtigger]

I too have been on a flight where the FA made and announcement and asked us not to open or have any nuts during the flight. But I havent been a flight in years that the food option was nuts

 

[sam_gordon]

Delta offers pretzels & Bischoff(?) cookies. I think peanuts may be an option too. I agree with others, even if the airline doesn't offer snacks, you don't know what someone brought on the flight before yours.

 

[gwynne]

Delta offers pretzels & Bischoff(?) cookies. I think peanuts may be an option too. I agree with others, even if the airline doesn't offer snacks, you don't know what someone brought on the flight before yours.

The last time I flew Delta the fa's only offered pretzels and cookies. The passenger to my left asked for peanuts instead, and was told there is a passenger with allergy on flight, so they can't give out peanuts. Interesting, though, no announcement of any kind was made.

 

[TDC Nala]

Southwest serves peanuts. They have announced allergic passengers were present and ask that no one open any peanut products - but they do not clean the planes between flights. So if you're not on the first flight, you could run into peanuts from previous passengers.

 

[bdklein]

I haven't flown since 2010. Do airlines still give peanuts as snacks? It might seem like an odd thing to ask, but dd has a severe peanut allergy and my imagination is working overtime (peanut being left behind in a seat, dd reacting, using epi pen at 30,000 feet etc). And yes, I'm the one who started the thread about fear of flying, but no this isn't a way to get out of it. TIA!

You can request a peanut-free flight or peanut-freearea, but no promises. Call ahead, and notify flight attendant as well. Keep in mind any passenger can bring them onto the plane as well. Make sure you bring 2 Epipens or Auvi-Q (newer "talking" ephinnendrine (spelling?)) with you just in case.

 

[bdklein]

I know JetBlue offers nuts. I just checked their website & it lists "King's deluxe nut mix". A check of the King's nut website lists the deluxe mix as cashews, almonds & pecans, "roasted in peanut oil".

I'm assuming that would not be safe for someone with a peanut allergy.

Supposedly many of those with peanut allergies are not necessarily allergic to foods cooked in commerical peanut oil. But never know how body will react

 

[mrsaumock]

Thanks everyone! We are flying Delta so it's good to know they have snacks other than peanuts. I will be sure to tell them about the allergy as well. DD has never reacted to peanuts; we only found out after she had allergic reactions to milk and eggs. There's a chance that the blood test is a false positive, but her number is off the chart so there's no way we will risk exposure (intentionally). Thanks so much for all of the replies!!

 

[mrsaumock]

You can request a peanut-free flight or peanut-freearea, but no promises. Call ahead, and notify flight attendant as well. Keep in mind any passenger can bring them onto the plane as well. Make sure you bring 2 Epipens or Auvi-Q (newer "talking" ephinnendrine (spelling?)) with you just in case.

I will have to ask her doctor about the Auvi-Q. And i had no idea there was a possibility of a peanut free area. Thanks so much!!!

 

[antree]

Thanks everyone! We are flying Delta so it's good to know they have snacks other than peanuts. I will be sure to tell them about the allergy as well. DD has never reacted to peanuts; we only found out after she had allergic reactions to milk and eggs. There's a chance that the blood test is a false positive, but her number is off the chart so there's no way we will risk exposure (intentionally). Thanks so much for all of the replies!!

My DS is also off the chart, Let the airline know before you go. If you haven't booked your ticket yet, let them know during booking. If you did book already call and ask them to note it. When you check your luggage in let them know at that time, also.
With SWA they will give a peanut dust folder to bring to the plane, and we give that to the attendant at the door of the plane and another one on the plane.
If you don't warn them before the plane is loaded with snacks there wont be anything they can do. SWA will load peanut free snacks with enough warning before boarding.

I also was told to give my DS Benadryl before boarding. I will also wipe the seat, arm rest, tray, window, seat belt and my seat before he sits, then I drape it with a blanket for him to sit on. He has been flying since he was 2 and now is 11yrs. it is scary but doable.

After an announcement one time a gentleman sitting next to me and my DS open a snack bar. I politely asked him if it had peanuts in it, because we were the ones with the allergy. He apologized, he just wasn't thinking and he put it away in the over head bin. I thanked him with gratitude and told him I was really scared because my DH wasn't with me and flying with a n allergy child is so scary. He understood, his son had allergies. Hopefully, you won't have any problems and you will have caring people on your flight the way we did

 

[OKW Lover]

Delta offers pretzels & Bischoff(?) cookies. I think peanuts may be an option too. I agree with others, even if the airline doesn't offer snacks, you don't know what someone brought on the flight before yours.

We flew Delta last week and were offered peanuts as well as the pretzels & Biscoff.

 

[mrsaumock]

My DS is also off the chart, Let the airline know before you go. If you haven't booked your ticket yet, let them know during booking. If you did book already call and ask them to note it. When you check your luggage in let them know at that time, also.
With SWA they will give a peanut dust folder to bring to the plane, and we give that to the attendant at the door of the plane and another one on the plane.
If you don't warn them before the plane is loaded with snacks there wont be anything they can do. SWA will load peanut free snacks with enough warning before boarding.

I also was told to give my DS Benadryl before boarding. I will also wipe the seat, arm rest, tray, window, seat belt and my seat before he sits, then I drape it with a blanket for him to sit on. He has been flying since he was 2 and now is 11yrs. it is scary but doable.

After an announcement one time a gentleman sitting next to me and my DS open a snack bar. I politely asked him if it had peanuts in it, because we were the ones with the allergy. He apologized, he just wasn't thinking and he put it away in the over head bin. I thanked him with gratitude and told him I was really scared because my DH wasn't with me and flying with a n allergy child is so scary. He understood, his son had allergies. Hopefully, you won't have any problems and you will have caring people on your flight the way we did

Thank you SO much for this information!! I will call them - we have already booked our flight. Just wondering, does your dd take an allergy med daily? My dd takes children's Zyrtec daily - I'm wondering if I should still give her Benadryl in addition to Zyrtec. We usually reserve Benadryl as our first course of action when she reacts. We haven't had to use the epi yet

 

[mrsaumock]

We flew Delta last week and were offered peanuts as well as the pretzels & Biscoff.

Good to know - thank you!

 

[antree]

Thank you SO much for this information!! I will call them - we have already booked our flight. Just wondering, does your dd take an allergy med daily? My dd takes children's Zyrtec daily - I'm wondering if I should still give her Benadryl in addition to Zyrtec. We usually reserve Benadryl as our first course of action when she reacts. We haven't had to use the epi yet

My DS has been off the Zyrtec for about 2 yrs now. If I was to give the Benadryl I would do that for the flight and save the Zyrtec for later that day more towards night time. If anything she'll get tired. Then give the Zyrtec at regular time on the next day. If you are unsure you can call your Dr or pharmacy and they can advise you. My mother takes her Zyrtec in the morning and Benadryl at night, so it has been done.
Our allergist said if they need the Benadryl it doesn't matter when they had the Zyrtec. Zytrec will not do what we need the Benadryl to do in case of contact to peanuts.
It just might make her sleepy taking both. So just spread it apart.

 

[LeslieG]

Thanks everyone! We are flying Delta so it's good to know they have snacks other than peanuts. I will be sure to tell them about the allergy as well. DD has never reacted to peanuts; we only found out after she had allergic reactions to milk and eggs. There's a chance that the blood test is a false positive, but her number is off the chart so there's no way we will risk exposure (intentionally). Thanks so much for all of the replies!!

I know this is a bit off topic, but I'm curious when you say your daughter's number is off the chart. My son has a dairy allergy, but the allergist never suggested any testing. He said we didn't need a test to know he had the allergy, just because he had pretty strong symptoms. Is this a blood test that shows the degree of allergy? I think that's something I'd like to know. Maybe I need a new doctor.