Which Airlines Don't Serve Peanuts?

[MadiWI]

I hope this is ok here instead of transportation.
Can anyone help me figure out which airlines don't serve peanuts? Our options are:
Continental
United (I am pretty sure they are ok)
Delta (serve peanuts, I think?)
US Airways (website is vague)
AirTran (not sure when they fully merge w/Southwest?)

We prefer to avoid airlines that serve peanuts but will do a PN-free flight like Southwest - our child's allergies are too severe.

Thanks!

 

[SueM in MN]

I can tell you for sure that Delta does serve peanuts. I just traveled on a Delta flight 2 days ago and was given a choice of peanuts or pretzels.

I flew on 4 legs of flights on Continental ( 2 legs were international) and saw no peanuts on any flights.

We fly AirTran a lot and have never seen any peanuts ( although that may change as you mentioned when the merge with SW is complete. ).

 

[SueM in MN]

Also - just remembered -
United and Continental are merging.

 

[newdrama12]

flew Airtran on Thursday and they didn't serve peanuts. They had pretzels. Orlando to Indianapolis.

 

[Singledad]

when in doubt, call and ASK. My sister just ended up in the ER over her peanut allergy this weekend because she assumed because she ate at this restaurant many times in the past, that she was 'safe' to eat there. well, they changed the recipe on one item. translate this to airlines... just because we do not see them on our flights, doesn't mean your flight will be peanut free.. always ask the source.

that said, here is what i found:

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/dining/special/default.aspx
Continental states: "Continental is committed to the safety of its customers, including customers with peanut allergies. We do not serve packaged peanut snacks on our flights; however, some in-cabin food offerings may still contain nuts or trace amounts of nut ingredients, including peanuts. Additionally, other customers may bring peanuts on board. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee the aircraft and food offerings of Continental will be 100% peanut-free. If you have health concerns, we strongly encourage you to take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure during flight"

United, which is actually the same company as continental states: "Peanut information
United does not serve peanuts as snacks or use peanuts or peanut oils in foods served on our flights. However, we do serve vendor products manufactured in facilities that also produce items containing peanuts or peanut oils, and we do have snack mixes that contain other tree nuts, such as almonds and pistachios. Since we cannot prevent customers from bringing onboard their own peanuts or food items containing peanut products, we cannot guarantee a nut-free environment. When making your travel arrangements, we recommend that you assess the extent of any allergies or other medical conditions to determine if air travel is the right choice for you."
http://www.united.com/page/middlepage/0,6998,1057,00.html

delta does not have easy to find info on peanuts, here is a contact page: http://www.delta.com/emailus/servlet/EmailUs?cmd=go

u.s. air is indeed vague, i think they do not serve peanuts alone, but didn't want to state that and have it interpreted that they don't serve peanuts at all, and end up with a meal box with peanut in it. here is there contact page, to get a better/straight answer: http://www.usairways.com/en-US/contact/general.html

and finally airtran doesn't state anything i could find about peanuts. i would contact them: http://www.airtranairways.com/contact/contact_us.aspx?nav_id=91

good luck and stay as safe as possible!


p.s. my sister was okay in the end. they ended up having to give her a steroid... and she has to take it for a few days, because it was such a high dose. but still, at least she is okay.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Just me here, but if it is SO important to you to have a peanutfree flight and/or the reaction is so severe it justifies said standards, I'ld either fly SW or not fly at all. Even SW can not guarantee anything at all and most of the times you won't find out until you are already facing a peanut.

Why I'm so black and white with such a subject? I know what an anafylactic shock feels like and are very aware of the non possibility of guaranteeing anything combined with being in an enclosed environement in the air, if something were to happen. Not to mention being totally dependant on all of your fellowpassengers not to bring aboard any peanutproduct. I soon learned those are not too be trusted, too many have their own motives so to say. Oh jolly, the fun of reading the transportation-board.

To just show a bit into my experience? CO states as quoted since a longer time. I'm not allergic to any nuts, but happen to be aware of their policy. I've had nutmixes served on their flights more often that not. On 8 flights total (4 intercontinental, 4 within US) I've had 3 of them where there were peanuts in the mix. Not as a main ingredient, but like one or two. Lost ones?? All of the incidents were while in business class and my mom in the back did not get any mix thus no possible peanut, but when a flight needs to be peanutfree for it to be safe enough, this will not be enough when flying eco. Happened on both types of flights by the way, so both big haul and short haul/

 

[disfan07]

I am anaphylactic to peanuts and I only fly SW, Jetblue and Virgin America.

You are aware though that NO airline can GUARANTEE a peanut free flight though right? They can not serve peanuts adn they can make an announcement to the passengers but there are people (as I have learned on these boards) who will ignore it and still eat peanut products.

Flying is something that we do so infrequently (1 or 2 times a year) adn I refuse to give it up so I take the chance. So far, we have never had a problem on any of these airlines but they are the only ones I will fly anyways because I dont like teh legacy airlines anyways.


I do take my own precautions. I wipe down seats, tray table, etc. And I carry enough epi-pens with me to last for about 2 hours (per my allergists orders) so I bring 8-10 epi-pens in my carry-on. I also of course bring benedryl as well.

 

[HeatherL]

Airlines also recommend the first flight of the day, as the plane is thoroughly cleaned overnight and there is a much lower chance of having any residue on the seat or tray table.

 

[bidnow5]

I have been on Southwest and Jetblue several times when they announced no peanuts several times during the flight. One of the Jetblue flights they took peanuts away from an idiot passenger that had his own and just didn't care

 

[2luvmickey]

Airlines also recommend the first flight of the day, as the plane is thoroughly cleaned overnight and there is a much lower chance of having any residue on the seat or tray table.

Yep!

We are flying SW to California (from Midway) for Spring break. I called the airline to request assistance for my broken ankle and mentioned my son's peanut allergy. They put it in the request, and recommended that we mention it to EVERY airline employee (check in, gate, on the plane).

check out this site for helpful information:

http://www.foodallergy.org/section/airlines

Happy travels!!

 

[crashbb]

If you are hoping to have the airline request that no one bring peanuts/peanut products onto the plane, PLEASE ask for this before boarding starts. If the announcement is made early, people still have time to find other snacks to bring on (if their snacks are not peanut safe).

I once ran into trouble because the announcement to not eat anything that wasn't labeled as "peanut allergy safe" was made once we were on the plane. My snack wasn't safe. However, I cannot eat gluten and none of the available "snacks for sale" were safe for me and I have problems with hypo-gylcemia so not eating at all (it was about a 5 hour flight) was also not a great option for me.

I eventually food something that would avoid a major low, but did end up with a migraine due to low blood sugar (which, was better than the alternative of an anaphylatic attack in the child with the allergy, but still...). Had I had a chance while in the terminal, I would have been better prepared. It did teach me to make sure that the food I bring on the plane is free from peanuts/nuts.

Oh, and I know that you cannot control what the gate agent does (in terms of announcements), but this particular family didn't say anything until boarding start (I was at the counter, when they mentioned it). Telling them as early as possible (and requesting the announcement as early as possible, would help).

 

[myheartlivesatwdw]

I have been on Southwest and Jetblue several times when they announced no peanuts several times during the flight. One of the Jetblue flights they took peanuts away from an idiot passenger that had his own and just didn't care

Are you sure he "just didn't care"? Some people don't realize that other people have an allergy. "Idiot"? Really?

 

[Lewisc]

If you are hoping to have the airline request that no one bring peanuts/peanut products onto the plane, PLEASE ask for this before boarding starts. If the announcement is made early, people still have time to find other snacks to bring on (if their snacks are not peanut safe).

I once ran into trouble because the announcement to not eat anything that wasn't labeled as "peanut allergy safe" was made once we were on the plane. My snack wasn't safe. However, I cannot eat gluten and none of the available "snacks for sale" were safe for me and I have problems with hypo-gylcemia so not eating at all (it was about a 5 hour flight) was also not a great option for me.

I eventually food something that would avoid a major low, but did end up with a migraine due to low blood sugar (which, was better than the alternative of an anaphylatic attack in the child with the allergy, but still...). Had I had a chance while in the terminal, I would have been better prepared. It did teach me to make sure that the food I bring on the plane is free from peanuts/nuts.

Oh, and I know that you cannot control what the gate agent does (in terms of announcements), but this particular family didn't say anything until boarding start (I was at the counter, when they mentioned it). Telling them as early as possible (and requesting the announcement as early as possible, would help).

No advance announcement. You need food for health reasons. No alternate food available. I would have gone ahead and eaten my granola bar. Not if I was sitting near the child. Walk to another part of the plane. I certainly wouldn't shell raw peanuts. There are going to be people on the plane who will be consuming a candy bar or granola bar with peanuts. They may not know it contains a nut product or they may not care.

My understanding most people with peanut allergies have issues if they consume peanuts. Others if they touch peanuts. Some if there is peanut dust in the air. SW passengers opening peanut packets could be an issue.. May understanding is very few people are so allergic they'd have an issue if someone in the plane consumes a bar containing some peanuts. People who are so allergic they'll have an attack if any passenger in the plane opens a bar that contains peanuts probably can't fly. You can give ma list of candy bars and I don't know which ones contains nuts. OK peanut M&Ms is an exception

I'd even consume a PB&J sandwich. Away from the person with the allergy and being careful not to drop anything. Only if I had a health issue which required eating. Otherwise I'd go hungry for a few hours.

 

[MadiWI]

Thanks, everyone, for the great information and advice. We have flown before, but have used AirTran and we're concerned that they will be more fully merged with SW by the time we take our next trip and they might be serving peanuts.

We have done the first flight of the day, boarded early to wipe down all surfaces and coverd the seat with a crib sheet. I've known a couple folks who've had reactions on SW even on the PN-free flights, just b/c there was residue everywhere. (Not ana reactions, thank goodness!). I'm not concerned that there are absolutely no PN or nuts on the flight, but don't want 100+ passengers opening bags of peanuts at the same time and filling the cabin air with dust. Not worth the risk.

@Singledad - glad your sister turned out ok. Restaurants are tricky!

Have a great day!

 

[Talking Hands]

I have been on Southwest and Jetblue several times when they announced no peanuts several times during the flight. One of the Jetblue flights they took peanuts away from an idiot passenger that had his own and just didn't care

I find this comment offensive. You don't know this persons reason for bringing something on the flight that is not peanut free. Due to my own allergies I cannot eat anything made with milk or milk products. This severely limits what I can have to avoid hypoglycemia. I am a type 1 diabetic. The best way for me is carbs combined with some protein. Peanut butter and some dairy free crackers serve that purpose. So I would be one to carry this on a flight. Hypoglycemic reaction can kill if not treated and while I feel for your child, if I am crashing I will do what I need to counteract that low rather than creating a medical emergency and possible death to myself. If you feel that I am selfish for this that is your problem not mine.

 

[myheartlivesatwdw]

i find this comment offensive. You don't know this persons reason for bringing something on the flight that is not peanut free. Due to my own allergies i cannot eat anything made with milk or milk products. This severely limits what i can have to avoid hypoglycemia. I am a type 1 diabetic. The best way for me is carbs combined with some protein. Peanut butter and some dairy free crackers serve that purpose. So i would be one to carry this on a flight. Hypoglycemic reaction can kill if not treated and while i feel for your child, if i am crashing i will do what i need to counteract that low rather than creating a medical emergency and possible death to myself. If you feel that i am selfish for this that is your problem not mine.

ita.

 

[bidnow5]

Are you sure he "just didn't care"? Some people don't realize that other people have an allergy. "Idiot"? Really?

Actually I am very sure he didn't care. I was two rows behind him and he told the steward to f--- off he then said if they had a problem being in a confined space they should have driven

 

[bidnow5]

I find this comment offensive. You don't know this persons reason for bringing something on the flight that is not peanut free. Due to my own allergies I cannot eat anything made with milk or milk products. This severely limits what I can have to avoid hypoglycemia. I am a type 1 diabetic. The best way for me is carbs combined with some protein. Peanut butter and some dairy free crackers serve that purpose. So I would be one to carry this on a flight. Hypoglycemic reaction can kill if not treated and while I feel for your child, if I am crashing I will do what I need to counteract that low rather than creating a medical emergency and possible death to myself. If you feel that I am selfish for this that is your problem not mine.

I posted a response already but. I am very sure he didn't care and that he was an idiot. I was two rows behind him and he told the steward to f--- off he then said if they had a problem being in a confined space they should have driven

 

[DCDisney]

I fly airtran and us air because they don't serve peanuts to all. My allergy isn't so severe that if it's in the snack box very few people buy it wouldn't bother me as long as they weren't right next to me. Delta serves peanuts and every single other snack they offer when they give you a choice either has a nuts, nut warning, or sunflower seed oil which is a common cross contam with peanuts so most peanut allergic people won't eat it.

 

[KPeveler]

I hope this is ok here instead of transportation.
Can anyone help me figure out which airlines don't serve peanuts? Our options are:
Continental
United (I am pretty sure they are ok)
Delta (serve peanuts, I think?)
US Airways (website is vague)
AirTran (not sure when they fully merge w/Southwest?)

We prefer to avoid airlines that serve peanuts but will do a PN-free flight like Southwest - our child's allergies are too severe.

Thanks!

I have no idea what is in kids/toddlers meals in WDW, but in DL, I think you can get "uncrustables" which are pre-made PB&J sandwiches. There is a distinct possibility that every ride and table and everything may be contaminated. I know you deal with this all the time, but I can see where this could be a problem with children's play areas. Also, with the changing economy, I have seen a LOT more people bringing their own sandwiches and eating anywhere. Just a thought