Soaring high above the clouds with a food allergy can be easy enough. Here are some tips to consider.
- Before booking your flight, read the airline’s allergy policy. Some airlines do not serve peanuts or tree nuts so may reduce risk for those allergens. Airlines that do routinely serve nuts may be willing to provide an alternate snack for all passengers during your flight. However, passengers might bring their own nuts so the airline cannot guarantee a “nut free” cabin environment.
- Call or email ahead to request special accommodations. If you’re asking that a snack alternative is served (i.e. no nuts), food service planning will be needed. As you board the plane ask a flight attendant if the request was accommodated so you’ll know what to expect during flight.
- No matter what the airline serves, remember that it might not fit your food allergy needs so be prepared with your own snack options.
- Bring wipes for cleaning residue from the food tray and seat arms in case the allergen(s) you are avoiding might have been part of the previous seat occupant’s meal.
- Keep your epinephrine and other emergency medications with you at all times. Don’t keep these in checked luggage or bags that you place in overhead bins.
- Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet and/or keep a list of your allergies and emergency treatments along with your meds.
- If your child flies as an “unaccompanied minor” be sure that allergy information is provided for the flight crew and emergency medicines are in the carry-on bag that stays with your child.
- If you feel that an airline didn’t fully understand or accommodate your allergen safety needs, consider communicating this through the airline feedback process on-line, by phone or by U.S. Mail. Also, consider communicating with the Aviation Consumer Protection Division (ACPD) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Additional Resources
Travel Tips and Ideas
- AllergicTraveler.net
- Disney Food Allergy
- Allergyfreepassport.com
- Allergytranslation.com
- Selectwisely.com
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