Peanuts on planes?

[Planogirl]

This is actually what American states:

American recognizes that some passengers are allergic to peanuts and other tree nuts. Although we do not serve peanuts, we do serve other nut products (such as warmed nuts) and there may be trace elements of unspecified nut ingredients,including peanut oils, in meals and snacks. We do not have in place procedures that allow our flight crews not to serve these foods upon request of a customer. We do not provide nut buffer zones. Our planes are cleaned regularly, but these cleanings are not designed to ensure the removal of nut allergens, nor are our air filtration systems designed to remove nut allergens. Additionally, other customers may bring peanuts or other tree nuts on board. Therefore, we cannot guarantee customers will not be exposed to peanuts or other tree nuts during flight, and we strongly encourage customers to take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

OP here. I just wanted to say thanks for all of the info!! I have a quick question - when should I call delta so they can note the allergy on our flight? We don't leave for another 3 weeks - is it too early to go ahead and call? I'll also mention it again when we get to the gate, of course. Thank you again!! I really appreciate the fact that all of you took the time to offer advice and try to ease my fear!!

Sure, go ahead and call now. I would also call a day or two before the flight to make sure your request wasn't "lost."

 

[LilyWDW]

This is actually what American states:

I honestly think that is the best way any airline could put it. There is NO way any airline can guarantee a perfectly safe flight. Period. Those with allergies, especially deadly ones, have to take this into account when they decide if they should fly. The airlines might do their best, but there is always a danger.

 

[Lewisc]

From Delta's site:

we still can't guarantee that the flight will be completely peanut-free.

Delta says nothing about asking other passengers from refraining from consuming peanuts, and peanut products, they brought on board.

Some people won't hear an announcement, if made, requesting passengers refrain from consuming such items. Some passengers don't realize their granola bar contains peanuts. A parent who packed a PB&J sandwich may be unwilling to let their child go hungry. A person who has a health condition requiring they eat, diabetic for example, isn't going to be willing to forgo eating an item containing peanuts if that's what they brought to eat.

Sounds like you can pre-board and wipe down the area. You can obviously make sure your child doesn't consume peanut products. You can make sure he doesn't touch anything with peanut. That's probably enough for most people with peanut allergies. You can't do anything if a passenger near your child decides to consume a granola bar. The (very) few people who are that sensitive probably shouldn't fly.

 

[TDC Nala]

They can ASK that other passengers not consume peanut products, but that won't stop anyone who might be determined to eat the peanut product despite the request not to.

I know I saw a few "my child will be eating his or her peanut butter sandwich no matter what they say" on the boards over the years.

 

[Lewisc]

They can ASK that other passengers not consume peanut products, but that won't stop anyone who might be determined to eat the peanut product despite the request not to.

I know I saw a few "my child will be eating his or her peanut butter sandwich no matter what they say" on the boards over the years.

People don't speak English.
People don't understand American accents.
People can't hear the announcements.
People are asleep.
People are hard of hearing.

People may not hear, or understand, the announcement for a variety of reasons.

It's only a request. Will the airline be offering complimentary food to the passengers who were planning on eating a PB&J sandwich for lunch? To the passengers who were planning on having a granola bar as a snack? Will the passenger, possible a young child, be happy with the alternate food? Of course it's highly unlikely alternate food will be offered.

Asking to be moved so you're not sitting adjacent to a passenger eating a PB&J sandwich is about all you can reasonably expect. Flight is full. If you're exceptionally nice, not confrontational not argumentative, maybe the passenger will temporarily move and have their sandwich or snack as far as way from you as possible. Maybe eat in the aisle.

 

[goofy4tink]

People may not hear, or understand, the announcement for a variety of reasons.

It's only a request. Will the airline be offering complimentary food to the passengers who were planning on eating a PB&J sandwich for lunch? To the passengers who were planning on having a granola bar as a snack? Will the passenger, possible a young child, be happy with the alternate food? Of course it's highly unlikely alternate food will be offered.

Asking to be moved so you're not sitting adjacent to a passenger eating a PB&J sandwich is about all you can reasonably expect. Flight is full. If you're exceptionally nice, not confrontational not argumentative, maybe the passenger will temporarily move and have their sandwich or snack as far as way from you as possible. Maybe eat in the aisle.

Hmmmmm, now where have I seen that before? Just where did you get that second quote?

 

[rlbklein]

My DH has been severely allergic to peanuts & tree nuts his whole life. we only fly SWA now because they are more friendly to allergic passengers. Plenty of airlines still serve products with peanut/tree nut ingredients.

A "peanut free zone" is a joke. The dust is in the air & recirculated through the entire cabin so that's not safe for the very sensitive.

We realize the airline can't control all the other passengers, & it's not realistic. but refraining from serving peanut products does go a long way toward reducing the risk of exposure/reaction. DH was once asked by a FA if another passenger could open a granola bar. This person was several rows away & we were thrilled they asked. We said it was ok to eat. That risk isn't much different than what he encounters with coworkers on a daily basis.

SWA considers peanut allergy a disability & allows early boarding. This lets DH wipe down his seat & area to protect himself. We've recently considered using breathing masks but we're not sure if it would really do much.

Because realistically, we can't easily or regularly do a nice vaca if we can't fly. There are only so many options near northwest Indiana unless we devote 1/2 or more of our trip to driving - no thank you! And how would we do Europe, Hawaii, or other amazing places like that?

I hope for the day when airlines no longer serve peanuts as a snack. It's not like you're depriving someone of air. you can live a few hours without peanuts. I live most of my life without them anymore, & while I do miss Reese's, it's better for my waistline!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

My DH has been severely allergic to peanuts & tree nuts his whole life. we only fly SWA now because they are more friendly to allergic passengers. Plenty of airlines still serve products with peanut/tree nut ingredients.

.................

I hope for the day when airlines no longer serve peanuts as a snack. It's not like you're depriving someone of air. you can live a few hours without peanuts. I live most of my life without them anymore, & while I do miss Reese's, it's better for my waistline!

Many airlines do not serve peanuts; this has already been discussed here.

If you are serious about this issue, I wonder why you continue to support Southwest, which does serve peanuts. Why not support an airline which does not serve peanuts?

 

[Lewisc]

Hmmmmm, now where have I seen that before? Just where did you get that second quote?

The quote is from exbayern, a poster on flyertalk. Shame we don't have posters like him/her on DIS.

My DH has been severely allergic to peanuts & tree nuts his whole life. we only fly SWA now because they are more friendly to allergic passengers. Plenty of airlines still serve products with peanut/tree nut ingredients.

Most airlines have discontinued serving peanuts. AFAIK Southwest is the only major airline serving actual peanuts. Some posters claim the dust from peanuts is far more of an issue then issues from products containing nuts. Unless you take the first Southwest flight of the day there will be peanut dust all over the plane. The first flight could be an issue if the flight landed late and didn't have a thorough cleaning overnight.

I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH SOUTHWEST but serving peanuts means Southwest is the least friendly airline for passengers with a peanut allergy.

You want to pre-board so you can wipe down the seat area. I suspect any airline extend that courtesy. Have you ever asked and been told no? What airline?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I get peanuts in every Delta flight. Not sure what constitutes 'most' airlines. But the biggies to MCO serve peanuts unless told about an allergy

 

[goofy4tink]

The quote is from exbayern, a poster on flyertalk. Shame we don't have posters like him/her on DIS.



Most airlines have discontinued serving peanuts. AFAIK Southwest is the only major airline serving actual peanuts. Some posters claim the dust from peanuts is far more of an issue then issues from products containing nuts. Unless you take the first Southwest flight of the day there will be peanut dust all over the plane. The first flight could be an issue if the flight landed late and didn't have a thorough cleaning overnight.

I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH SOUTHWEST but serving peanuts means Southwest is the least friendly airline for passengers with a peanut allergy.

You want to pre-board so you can wipe down the seat area. I suspect any airline extend that courtesy. Have you ever asked and been told no? What airline?

Not anymore at least!!!!

 

[Lewisc]

I get peanuts in every Delta flight. Not sure what constitutes 'most' airlines. But the biggies to MCO serve peanuts unless told about an allergy

From United's site:

We do not serve pre-packaged peanuts, however, some in-cabin food offerings may include nuts or contain trace amounts of nut ingredients,

From Jetblue]

JetBlue does not serve peanuts and has no immediate plans to serve peanuts

From AA

we do not serve peanuts

Spirit has peanuts available for sale.

You may be right. Most might be a reach. Maybe Southwest, Delta and Spirit fly more then half the domestic passengers to Orlando.

Posters have said the dust from peanuts can be a much bigger issue then dust from products which contain peanuts.

I don't have an issue with Southwest. I don't know how a person allergic to peanuts can think Southwest has the "best policy". An airline who has a policy of never serving peanuts is better.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I get peanuts in every Delta flight. Not sure what constitutes 'most' airlines. But the biggies to MCO serve peanuts unless told about an allergy

No, they don't. As mentioned, as far as US airlines are concerned, only Delta Spirit and Southwest serve peanuts. Frontier serves peanut products, such as peanut M&Ms.

I don't have an issue with Southwest. I don't know how a person allergic to peanuts can think Southwest has the "best policy". An airline who has a policy of never serving peanuts is better.

I have to agree.

 

[DaisyD]

People may not hear, or understand, the announcement for a variety of reasons.

It's only a request. Will the airline be offering complimentary food to the passengers who were planning on eating a PB&J sandwich for lunch? To the passengers who were planning on having a granola bar as a snack? Will the passenger, possible a young child, be happy with the alternate food? Of course it's highly unlikely alternate food will be offered.

Asking to be moved so you're not sitting adjacent to a passenger eating a PB&J sandwich is about all you can reasonably expect. Flight is full. If you're exceptionally nice, not confrontational not argumentative, maybe the passenger will temporarily move and have their sandwich or snack as far as way from you as possible. Maybe eat in the aisle.

I always ask before boarding if its a peanut free flight. My daughter generally brings an Uncrustable on the plane with her to eat. If there is an announcement that it peanut free then she will eat it before we board if there is time. Also we can grab something else if there is time. Unless they warn us far enough ahead to do these things then that really leaves her with nothing to eat and she will bring it onboard. We do fly business class so there is less people around us and we try to be fair to everyone else too. If the flight attendant would like to provide her with a meal she will eat then fine but usually there is no meals on our flights. We always fly AirTran btw.

 

[goofy4tink]

I always ask before boarding if its a peanut free flight. My daughter generally brings an Uncrustable on the plane with her to eat. If there is an announcement that it peanut free then she will eat it before we board if there is time. Also we can grab something else if there is time. Unless they warn us far enough ahead to do these things then that really leaves her with nothing to eat and she will bring it onboard. We do fly business class so there is less people around us and we try to be fair to everyone else too. If the flight attendant would like to provide her with a meal she will eat then fine but usually there is no meals on our flights. We always fly AirTran btw.

I've been down that route!! My dd always had a peanut butter sandwich with her when she flew. Always. But, then the whole peanut allergy issue started. It just wasn't worth it anymore. The first time we were told that no peanut products would be allowed on the flight, while on the plane, we decided to just not bring it anymore!!! Huge pain in the rear. So, she would bring pretzels or crackers...not the same but it helped.
I'm allergic to smoke and also to heavy amounts of perfumes. Man, it's nasty sitting next to someone, for three hours, that has practically bathed in perfume!!! My nose starts to run, then it gets stopped up. I start sneezing. I cough. And smoke?? All I can say is thank heaven the airlines no longer allow smoking on board. Even if I sit next to a smoker my nose starts to react!!!

 

[Planogirl]

US Airways serves Chex Mix from what I understand. Doesn't that include peanuts?

 

[jsilvers]

US Airways serves Chex Mix from what I understand. Doesn't that include peanuts?

US Airways sells the "traditional" version (see http://www.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/intheair/foodandbeverages/maincabin.html) which does not include peanuts (see http://www.walmart.com/ip/Chex-Mix-Traditional-Brand-Snack-15-oz/10813359#Ingredients).

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Over the past 8 years, my husband has flown far over 1 million miles and I must have flown close to 300,000 miles and not once have either of us been on a flight where they made a peanut allergy announcement. If you read online travel boards, you would think the skies are filled with peanut allergy sufferers! However, it's actually pretty rare; according to the Peanut Institute and other sources, only 0.6-1% of the population have a mild to severe peanut allergy. Four times as many adults have seafood allergies. I can't recall ever hearing these people ask for seafood free seating zones

 

[mrsaumock]

Over the past 8 years, my husband has flown far over 1 million miles and I must have flown close to 300,000 miles and not once have either of us been on a flight where they made a peanut allergy announcement. If you read online travel boards, you would think the skies are filled with peanut allergy sufferers! However, it's actually pretty rare; according to the Peanut Institute and other sources, only 0.6-1% of the population have a mild to severe peanut allergy. Four times as many adults have seafood allergies. I can't recall ever hearing these people ask for seafood free seating zones

I've never been on a flight that serves seafood. Peanuts on planes is common. And even if only a small percentage of the population suffers from peanut allergies, the fact remains that I want to keep my sweet little girl as safe as possible.