Airlines that DON'T give peanuts?

[antkim]

My brother has flights booked with Southwest in March to Orlando. We just thought about them serving peanuts and this will not work. 2 of my nieces are SEVERLY allergic to them-can't even be around the "fumes". Our fault for not considering this before. We called SW and they said that they would serve pretzels on flights that day but it's still risky because there could be peanut oil on the seats etc. They also said they would refund the money for the flights. Just wondering if any one knows of a "peanut free" airline. Now he's going to pay HUGE money for flights. I feel so bad because I have been helping him with all the arrangements!

Kim

 

[BedKnobbery2]

I was just thinking that I haven't been served peanuts on an airline in quite some time--it is usually pretzels are some kind of "snack mix". However, I would think even if an airline doesn't serve peanuts, it might still be a problem--there is nothing that would prevent another passenger from bringing nuts on the plane. I don't know what a 100% safe solution would be, other than driving? Or are there ways for the girls to protect themselves during the flight, for example, masks and gloves? Good luck with it!!

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

I do fly Southwest alot and on a few occasions they have not served peanuts because someone on the plane is severly allergic.

I would make the allergy known and they will surely honor your request. As far as other passengers I know they made the announcement about a passenger being allergic. If they say a child I am sure everyone will honor the request.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
However, I would think even if an airline doesn't serve peanuts, it might still be a problem--there is nothing that would prevent another passenger from bringing nuts on the plane.

I was just thinking the same thing because we always bring peanuts and I also have peanut butter packed for my daughter to eat on the plane.

 

[Alex]

If they are that allergic I doubt there is a solution. There is no way in the world any airline can guarentee that the last passenger to use that seat didn't give their kid a peanut butter sandwich. Even if that airline didn't hand them out there's always that chance.

 

[DopeyRN]

If they are that allergic, I am surprised they can tolerate anywhere in the "outside world". I can understand them being allergic if people around them are eating nuts, but I doubt the chances are very high that anything would happen if they stopped nuts on that plane on that day. The safest alterbative would probably be to drive.

 

[antkim]

I just did a search and found out that US and United don't serve peanuts but I was thinking the same thing about how someone could have brought peanuts on the plane etc. I'm sure SW would announce that there was a peanut concern on the flight also. He might have to consider driving if it's THAT bad. I think they need to call the doctor and ask what he thinks. I know they always carry epipens but that is only good for 20 minutes so that won't help on a 3 hour flight! Maybe they could wear masks and gloves. I'm sure my 13 year old niece would be horrified by the thoughts of that! lol

Kim

 

[Alex]

I was wondering the same thing DopeyRN, how can the school guarentee that no kid had a PB and J before they left for school. How can you guarentee that they don't brush up against somebody in line that didn't just give their child a peanut butter sandwich. I don't understand how someone with that severe of an allergy can even go out in public.

 

[Pinnie]

Like others have said, there is NO way to make sure that the passenger behind the allergic child didn't have a Snickers Bar or the last person in the seat you now occupy didn't have a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup on the tray table.

That is not to mention all the products that contain peanut oil that some passengers, even if alerted, woudl consume thinking it was safe.

Driving may be the only option.

pin

 

[disneyjunkie]

How are they going to deal with this once they get to Orlando? Are they visiting the parks? Many parents pack sandwiches and snacks for the kids to have while waiting in line. What happens if they are in line, or waiting for a parade and someone near them is eating peanuts? Will this cause a reaction?

I hope everything works out for them.

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

I also wonder how somebody who is so severly allergic can manage to function out in the real world, not just on an airplane. What about everytime they go to a mall, the grocery store, or anywhere else for that matter. I would think the airplane ride would be the least of their worries.

 

[cherylp3]

my husband recently flew jetblue His flights had the following snack choices: It was an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, animal crackers ( yucky) , biscotti , party mix (like a chex mix) , terra cotta blue potato chips.

 

[antkim]

Just to respond to a few comments about the "real world". You are all right saying they can't control EVERY situation BUT because they know that SW serves peanuts on a regular basis there is cause for alarm. My nieces throat literally closes up kind of like someone who is allergic to bee stings which is the reason they go NOWHERE without an epipen. Being confined on a plane for 3 hours that COULD cause a reaction is really not a way to start your vacation! To put your child in a dangerous situation really wouldn't be acting responsibly-you think? Anyways, because there are 2 other airlines that do not serve peanuts I think the choice to fly a different airline is really the only way to go. The doctor has recommended this also. Maybe you all think they are overreacting BUT I can assure you I would be just as concerned for my child's well being as they are. If they were to have a reaction in the "real world" the epipen would give them a chance to get to the hospital. On an airplane this isn't an option.

Thanks all,
Kim

 

[chell]

American doesn't serve peanuts either - at least they haven't on any of their flights I have been on.

I think it is best to go with an airline that doesn't serve them regularly because of the air circulation.

If I even smell a cantaloupe my lips and tongue go numb. I feel for those children because it is really tough to deal with allergies like that.

 

[antkim]

Thanks Michelle for the American advice but mostly for understanding their concern.
Kim

 

[dcgrumpy]

I think a lot of people had a valid point that just because the ailrine doesn't serve peanuts means it is safe. DH and I always bring a bunch of snacks when we fly and there is usually at least one thing that contains peanuts.

 

[lisajl]

For those people on this board that still don't understand peanut allergies....please bear with the rest of us that have to deal with it.

My son is one of those kids. He is not so allergic that smelling peanuts might kill him, but if he gets it in his mouth...that could be it for him.

In the "Real world", he has to deal with kids at school all the time.
He is not seated near anyone that has peanut butter. The cafeteria workers know my son, as well as the other allery prone kids in the school, and make sure he is sitting at a clean table.

BTW, when we went to Orlando...we drove...no chances of peanut butter in our car!

So, please take care with your neices on the flight...take those wonderful epi-pens, and have a great time at my favorite place...WDW!!
Also...we had no problems when we were there. I made sure when I made our PS that everyone knew of my sons peanut allergy. The chef at Cindy's even came out to talk to me.
It was wonderful.

Have a safe trip.
Lisa

 

[antkim]

Lisa,

My nieces schools are aware of their allergies also. I know my niece has been taken out of a classroom before when there has been peanut butter around. She also suffers from asthma. It really isn't a joke. She couldn't go to a Superbowl party last week because they host was putting out peanuts! I know it sounds crazy but it is real and needs to be dealt with as so. Good luck with your DS! I know how difficult it is.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by antkim
Just to respond to a few comments about the "real world". You are all right saying they can't control EVERY situation BUT because they know that SW serves peanuts on a regular basis there is cause for alarm. My nieces throat literally closes up kind of like someone who is allergic to bee stings which is the reason they go NOWHERE without an epipen. Being confined on a plane for 3 hours that COULD cause a reaction is really not a way to start your vacation! To put your child in a dangerous situation really wouldn't be acting responsibly-you think? Anyways, because there are 2 other airlines that do not serve peanuts I think the choice to fly a different airline is really the only way to go. The doctor has recommended this also. Maybe you all think they are overreacting BUT I can assure you I would be just as concerned for my child's well being as they are. If they were to have a reaction in the "real world" the epipen would give them a chance to get to the hospital. On an airplane this isn't an option.

Thanks all,
Kim

I may be wrong, but I don't think anyone was saying your brother is over reacting.

Even if they'll able to book with an airline that doesn't serve peanut products, how do you deal with people who may bring them on board? Can an airline demand that a flight be peanut free? If so, how can they enforce the policy? What if someone has peanuts before the flight?

If this was something I had to deal with, I think I'd drive instead of fly.

 

[lisajl]

disneyjunkie,

I responded to this forum also. As I re-read my post...it sounds a bit rude. I didn't mean for it to come off like that.
I am sure that is what antkim meant, also.

Sometimes, when we read peoples posts, they "sound" a bit rude. We feel we have to defend our positions.
I think that has probably happened here.

Lisajl