Any airlines that are allergy friendly (nut-free)

[happy2b4]

We have one up here WestJet that is great for allergy families, pre-boarding to wipe down area and does not serve nuts.

Is there an American airline we could consider (flying out of Buffalo)? My girlfriend's daughter is anaphylactic to nuts(and eggs and seafood) and while Disney is GREAT at accommodating her, getting her there via plane is a challenge.

TIA!

 

[mdurette]

I have been on Southwest flights in the past that had a family preboard that had a nut allergy. I assume that gave them the option of sitting in seats that were ok for them.

They also mentioned on the flight that someone had a peanut allergy - please don't eat foods with nuts and of course they didn't serve nuts in the cabin.

 

[atigeg]

yes southwest doesn't serve peanuts when someone on the flight reports the allergy when booking. which is very annoying to us who love our peanuts.

I am allergic to chicken and want the same respect, no one should be allowed to bring chicken sandwiches or nuggets on board on any of my flights. Never happened on any of my hundreds of flights and I'm still living and never used an epi pen.

Anyone who has been on a plane should note that unless its one of the first for a brand new plane, the peanuts are in the seats, seatback pockets and the floor on the later day flights.

If you are that allergic, drive, why inconvenience 130+ other passengers. The peanut dust is in the air deal with it.

As a side note, if you eat off property avoid Logan steak house and 5 guys, the peanuts are flow freely in those places.

 

[disfan07]

and if you cant go a few hours without eating peanuts well...nevermind.... i have so many things to say but i really dont want any points.

It's people like you that make me realize what is wrong with mankind these days.

OP. Southwest is great with Peanut Allergies. I am allergic to peanuts and we only fly SW, jetblue and Virgina America.

For SW we put on the reservation that I have a peanut allergy. At the gate we get a blue preboarding sleeve. We bring wipes to wipe down the seat and tray table. They do not serve peanuts on the flight. They serve pretzels instead.

Jetblue does not serve peanuts at all and they will make an anouncement as well. Jetblue has also let us preboard so we can wipe down the seats.

 

[TDC Nala]

Southwest won't serve peanuts on the flight with the allergic person and will allow preboarding. However, they WILL serve peanuts on any flight prior to that one, so there will be peanuts in the plane, as people drop them on the floor and into the seats. They don't vacuum the plane between flights, there isn't time. If you are looking for totally nut-free flights, Southwest isn't, unless you can choose the first flight out of the day.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

There are zero flights that are completely nut free, including WestJet. Sure many (if not all), if advised in advance will not serve nuts or nut based products to passengers, but there is nothing that can be done about other passengers or distribution/consumption of nuts on prior flights that day (or even week).

Sure, planes are cleaned, but don't believe for a minute that they are completely sanitized between flights or even across days. Depending on the allergen level a passenger may find themselves in a seat that a child ate raw peanuts the flight two days ago and left some crumbs in the seat pocket or on the side of an armrest or just somewhere that was missed.

I do feel for those with allergies, especially severe ones, it does make it hard for people to take common carrier modes of transportation. That said, people need to also be conscious of themselves who have allergies and seek out transportation means that will not jepordize their lives, which may mean personal forms of transportation.

Also, remember, although Disney is great about handling meals for those with allergies, there is nothing that can be done about other guests or guests that were in your room before you or are eating around you. Disney does clean their hotel rooms, but again, it's not completely disinfected between guests, so caution should be used.

 

[crashbb]

Just to point out that although WestJet doesn't serve peanuts on their flights (neither do Porter or Air Canada, by the way), they don't ban peanuts on their flights (they cannot do so). so it is possible that someone sitting near you will be eating peanuts. Asking the gate agent to make an announcement prior to boarding - with enough time for someone to grab another snack - does help.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

even if they dont have peanuts onboard i still bring my own (about a 2lb bag from 5 guys). never had a problem boarding with them

 

[csharpwv]

I never knew there were so many people that were so PRO-PEANUT!

My 22mo old nephew has a very severe peanut allergy - and it really is a horrible thing. Anytime we are getting together for a holiday dinner or get together we have to be very cautious to check labels and remember not to eat anything that contains peanuts, and if we do, wipe out mouths and wash our hands before being around him. His first allergic reaction resulted in severe swelling, and by the time they got him to the hospital he was starting to have problems breathing. And that was from my Dad offering him a bite of a peanut butter sandwich that was a good 12" from him before my Mom said "NO - you can't give kids peanut butter!!!" the swelling started within 15-20 seconds!
Thank goodness his Grandma was keeping an eye out for him!

 

[crashbb]

I never knew there were so many people that were so PRO-PEANUT!

You must be reading a different thread. The vast majority of posters are not "PRO-PEANUT", we are simply pointing out the reality that no airline can guarantee a truly peanut free flight.

I've seen one poster say that they will be bringing peanuts (not sure if they'll be eating them on the flight - 5lbs is a lot of peanuts to get through) and one poster stating that those with peanut allergies shouldn't be flying.

 

[csharpwv]

I was referring to the person bringing their own supply of peanuts - and the person who wishes to banish all with peanut allergies to the highways in their own vehicles.

Get a grip - the world doesn't revolve around you and your love for peanuts!

I agree that peanuts are wonderful - but don't be a nut!

 

[Hannathy]

People who are allergic to peanuts are allergic to the protein. The protein isn't released into the air from peanut butter so people can eat peanut butter on a plane without bothering the person who is allergic unless they plan on eating some of my sandwich. Even people eating peanuts won't bother them if it is only a few people a distance away. The main problem would be if everyone opened a pack of peanuts all at once and a lot of protein went floating into the air all at once and they inhaled it. Reading I read that very few are allergic to touch from peanuts and those that are are usually only hives and other contact allergy symptoms. I'm sure someone will come on and say my...is but the statistics show it to be rare and you can't expect the whole world to do something different for the 1 in 50 million person.

Asking that the airline doesn't hand out dried peanuts all at once is perfectly understandable and a true problem. Asking me not to eat my sandwich 20 rows away is going above and beyond and why people get angry at the peanut allergy folks. There will never be a peanut free environment or anything else that people can be allergic to. It is up to you to take care of your own needs and precautions-be it a mask or gloves,etc like it is up to a diabetic not to eat a complete meal of Disney desserts not for Disney not to serve them.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, the US Department of Transportation just closed a period of public feedback in regard to a proposed full or partial peanut ban on US-based carriers.

Christopher Elliott's website has links to the DOT documents on this issue. http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-har...nuts-on-a-plane-rule-everyones-talking-about/

Note that even if the US DOT imposes a ban (which is fairly unlikely, given the power of the peanut growers' lobby), it will only apply to nuts served by the airline. It will not be a complete ban, because it is essentially impossible to prevent passengers from carrying nuts on board commercial aircraft.

 

[Lewisc]

A person posting in an old thread said her child was very allergic to peanuts. She said the allergy was so severe that if anyone on the plane so much as opened the wrapper of a product that contains peanuts (including a granola bar) her child would die.

Anyone that allergic (I suspect she was exaggerating) can't fly.There are going to be passengers who don't realize their candy bar/granola bars contain nuts. There are going to be passengers who don't hear the announcement. There may even be passengers who packed a PB&J sandwich for their child.

Posters suggest peanut dust is the issue for all but the most severe. SW probably isn't a great choice unless you absolutely have the first flight of the day. SW serves peanuts. Even the first flight may be an issue if the cleaning crew doesn't do a good job overnight.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I was referring to the person bringing their own supply of peanuts - and the person who wishes to banish all with peanut allergies to the highways in their own vehicles.

Get a grip - the world doesn't revolve around you and your love for peanuts!

Since you want to make this about me, lets be clear about something. I'm actually not a big peanut/peanut butter fan all in all. I'm being non-emotional about the situation because emotions don't play well into the reality of travel.

The fact remains though, that people with severe enough allergies should look at the risks of going somewhere that peanuts and such products can be found or have been found in the past, this includes common carrier modes of transportation. It's unfortunate for those who have these serious types of allergies but you cannot expect every public (or semi-public) area to be free from the allergens that effect them. Knowing the risks and the possibilities should help those consider their options.

 

[bumbershoot]

...peanut butter sandwich that was a good 12" from him before my Mom said "NO - you can't give kids peanut butter!!!" the swelling started within 15-20 seconds!

People who are allergic to peanuts are allergic to the protein. The protein isn't released into the air from peanut butter so people can eat peanut butter on a plane without bothering the person who is allergic unless they plan on eating some of my sandwich.

I am now confused.

Unless the grandfather actually *touched* the allergic child with his PB hands.

But it sounds like there ARE people who can react to being near peanut butter....

 

[Hannathy]

I am now confused.

Unless the grandfather actually *touched* the allergic child with his PB hands.

But it sounds like there ARE people who can react to being near peanut butter....

WEll I did some reading after a heated thread last year and I read nothing about an allergy that could be triggered by the air from peanut butter. That is when I learned about the fact that it is the peanut protein that triggers the reaction. I think somewhere the story got corrupted and/or facts messed up.

Seriously if a person could react from a sandwich 12 inches away that person would have to live in a bubble to survive they would NEVER be able to go out in public.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

yes southwest doesn't serve peanuts when someone on the flight reports the allergy when booking. which is very annoying to us who love our peanuts.

I am allergic to chicken and want the same respect, no one should be allowed to bring chicken sandwiches or nuggets on board on any of my flights. Never happened on any of my hundreds of flights and I'm still living and never used an epi pen.

Anyone who has been on a plane should note that unless its one of the first for a brand new plane, the peanuts are in the seats, seatback pockets and the floor on the later day flights.

If you are that allergic, drive, why inconvenience 130+ other passengers. The peanut dust is in the air deal with it.

As a side note, if you eat off property avoid Logan steak house and 5 guys, the peanuts are flow freely in those places.

WOW!

 

[gigi1313]

peanut-allergy mom here...

we fly southwest and are very pleased with their handling of my son's disability (yep, it's covered by the ADA, fyi)... they encourage us to fly the first flight out (great going, not so great coming home LOL) and also allow us to pre-board (no $10 early bird boarding costs for us! LOL) in order to wipe down the entire area (seats, seat backs, window, armrests, tray table, etc) and inspect the area (seatback pocket, floor, crevice in seats where stray peanuts have traveled) and make it safe... they also make an announcement as to why they are not offering peanuts but if any pax must have them, they will be happy to give them to them on the way out!

appreciating their consideration, we also are considerate, when we board we do the wipe down as quickly and efficiently as possible (we've developed quite a routine), we tend to choose seats near the mid to rear of the plane so others can board and not have us blocking the aisle, etc... we also thank the flight attendants for making the announcements and keeping our son safe...

to answer some of the queries... my son is effected by peanut dust, so yes, inhalation will trigger a reaction... a pb&j twenty or even two rows away will likely not kill him (or even trigger a reaction) but please wipe your hands w/a baby wipe or wet-one prior to opening bathroom door, touching common areas, etc (in self-defense, ds always takes a few baby wipes or clorox wipes in his hands to open bathroom door with, and wipe down where he might touch when on a plane... he doesn't do this in every day life like at the movies, etc but he's also not thousands of feet in the air w/no medical help around!)...

a little consideration and tolerance goes a long way!

 

[bumbershoot]

...they also make an announcement as to why they are not offering peanuts

a little consideration and tolerance goes a long way!

I would hope that you are asking them to make announcements at the gate. As vegetarians who cannot have things with certain ingredients in them (won't kill us, but will make others WANT to kill my kid from his reaction) with one person having blood sugar problems...you can see that nuts are actually quite a large part of our diet. For a year now, we don't bring our PB&Js onto the plane b/c of posts here, we will eat them at the gate area. But plenty of others don't belong here, and haven't decided to make that change. So those people who might have issues like MY family could probably run into big problems on the plane, if an announcement isn't made until after the plane is closing up to take off.

The ingredient issues in my family make most of the pretzels and non-nut snacks on planes not OK and there are plenty of other people who have to or choose to not eat the same things we do (things based on corn syrup)...so if an announcement isn't made and there's a family like ours...it's putting that family into a very bad place.

So please try to make sure they announce it at the gate area...


As for clorox wipes...I *can* have a pretty nasty allergic reaction to those...FYI.