The majority of airlines don’t offer to make announcements asking customers to not eat nuts inflight for those with severe allergies, MailOnline can reveal.
The news comes after widespread outrage over a BBC weather presenter who was left ‘humiliated and desperate’ having been ordered off a SunExpress flight for asking other passengers not to eat peanuts, due to the risk posed to her daughter.
Georgie Palmer, 49, informed the crew of 12-year-old Rosie’s life-threatening reaction to nuts but was told they would not make an announcement to other passengers because they had ‘updated’ their allergy policy.
She asked passengers around her to not eat any peanuts for the duration of the flight and the captain demanded she, husband Nick Sallom, 48, Rose and her sister Annie, 14, leave the flight, triggering widespread condemnation of the airline.
However SunExpress is far from alone in its policy approach, this website has discovered.
Georgie Palmer speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain where she called for greater clarity over nut allergy protocols for airlines after her family were ejected from a flight
Ms Palmer and her daughter Rosie posing in their hotel. The mother said: ‘Rosie is in a terrible state about this. It has ruined her holiday’
Here, MailOnline reveals the peanut policies of six major airlines using UK airports
Read on to find out the allergy guidance of all the major airlines departing from UK airports…
easyJet
Do they serve nuts: No
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘Our cabin crew will make an announcement to ask other customers not to eat any nut products for the duration of the flight.
‘We will also stop the sale of any products containing nut traces on board.
‘However, we cannot guarantee a nut or allergen-free environment.’
Ryanair
Do they serve nuts: No
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘Customers with nut allergies are asked to inform cabin crew when boarding the flight and a public address is then made informing other customers and advising that no products containing nuts will be sold onboard.’
British Airways
Do they serve nuts: Does not serve peanuts
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘Our in-flight meals do not contain peanuts or peanut products. However, they may be produced at a facility that handles peanuts. We are unable to offer a peanut-free alternative meal.
‘We do not provide an alternative meal option for customers with tree nut or sesame allergies.
‘We cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment while travelling with us.
‘Upon request, Cabin Crew will make an announcement so that other passengers are aware of your allergy. Cabin Crew will also suspend the serving of loose nut snacks in your cabin of travel.’
Wizz air
Do they serve nuts: No
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Please be advised that we cannot guarantee a peanut-free aircraft as other passengers may bring their own peanut products on board.
‘We therefore recommend that you bring allergy control medicine with you on board (such as an EpiPen, antihistamines, etc.) and you may take your own food with you as well.
‘Once on board, please make the crew aware about your allergies.’
TUI
Do they serve nuts: No
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘If we’re aware of your allergy, the cabin crew will make an announcement on the flight asking passengers not to eat any nut products. What’s more, we won’t sell any nut products from the inflight bar service. However, we can’t guarantee a nut-free environment.
Ms Palmer said she politely asked passengers around her not to consume any peanuts and pass the message on, which they did happily
Virgin Atlantic
Do they serve nuts: No Peanuts
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘We can’t guarantee the absence of food allergen or peanut traces in our meals, onboard and in our lounges. You can get a list of food allergens contained in meals served on flights departing from the UK and US from your Cabin Crew.’
‘Peanuts are never knowingly included in any of our meals onboard. However, our meals are not produced in a nut-free environment, so may contain traces.’
‘We also can’t stop other passengers from bringing (or eating) their own food onboard, which may include nuts.
‘If requested, our cabin crew can make an onboard announcement asking for other customers to refrain from eating peanuts, but not for any other ingredient.’
Aer Lingus
Do they serve nuts: No Peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We don’t serve peanuts or derivatives as part of snacks or meals. However, there may be trace elements of unspecified peanut ingredients (including peanut oils) in our snacks or meals.
‘We cannot prevent other passengers from bringing nut-based products on board and consuming them during the course of a flight and therefore strongly encourage customers with allergies to take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure.’
Air Canada
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We do our best to assist and protect customers travelling with us who have severe food or environmental allergies. However, we cannot control the aircraft environment or what other customers may bring on board.’
Air France
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘With the exception of the allergen-free meal, we cannot guarantee the absence of food allergen or peanut traces in our meals, both on board and at the airport. A list of food allergens contained in meals served on flights departing from Europe and French overseas departments is indicated on board by the cabin crew.
Air India
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Nuts are served on international flights. If you have nut allergies, bringing your own meal on board is advisable, as Air India cannot be held responsible for allergic reactions you may suffer.’
Air New Zealand
Do they serve nuts: No Peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We do our best to keep you and our other passengers safe. But allergies and sensitivities are notoriously unique to different people, and it’s impossible for us to guarantee a risk-free and allergen-free environment for everyone.
‘Peanuts are the most common allergen, so we don’t serve them on any of our flights. However, we can’t control what other passengers bring aboard, so we can’t guarantee there will be absolutely no trace of peanuts on board. Please note we do serve other nuts on our menu, such as cashews, sesame and pine nuts, amongst others.
‘If your allergies are severe, please bring food and drink you know is safe, and be prepared for emergencies.’
Alaska Airlines
Do they serve nuts: No Peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We cannot prevent passengers from bringing products containing nuts or other allergens (e.g. service animals) onboard our flights. Some First Class meals and in the main cabin may contain nuts. Therefore, Alaska Airlines is unable to guarantee a nut- or allergen-free flight.
‘Attempting to do this would create a false sense of security for passengers with severe allergies. We encourage passengers who are allergic to nuts to bring their own food items for travel. Passengers with severe allergies are also encouraged to consult with their doctor regarding the safety of air travel.’
American Airlines
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We can’t accommodate requests to not serve certain foods or to provide nut “buffer zones.” Our planes are cleaned regularly, but can’t guarantee the removal of nut allergens on surfaces or in the air filters.
‘Because of this, we can’t guarantee you won’t be exposed to peanuts or other tree nuts during flight, and we strongly encourage those with allergies to take all necessary medical precautions before flying.’
All Nippon Airways
Do they serve nuts: No Peanuts
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘If you have a disability caused by a severe allergy to peanuts, another nut variety, sesame seeds, an animal, etc., you can make a request for an allergy buffer zone to be established around you in order to avoid the risk of exposure to the relevant allergen as much as possible.’
MailOnline reveals the food allergy policies of some of the most popular airlines used in the UK (stock image)
Asiana Airlines
Do they serve nuts: No
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘There is a possibility that peanut oil or similar substances are used in cooking in-flight meals.
‘It is also difficult to prohibit other passengers’ possession or intake of peanuts due to the special circumstances or the flight environment.
‘In addition, please understand that there is also the possibility of peanut substance existing mid-air in in-flight passages, seats or other in-flight areas.’
Cathay Pacific
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Although your comfort and safety are our priorities in our lounges and on our aircraft, we cannot guarantee an environment free from allergens. If you wish to be extra cautious, you can request priority boarding in order to wipe down your seating area using your own cleaning materials. Please speak to our cabin crew to learn more about the ingredients in the meals served inflight.
‘Those with severe allergies suggest bringing own food, wearing a medical alert bracelet Carry a labelled and prescribed anaphylaxis treatment, such as an EpiPen, and ensure it is ready for administration by you or your companion.’
Delta
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We’re committed to helping you travel comfortably. While we are unable to guarantee a peanut-free or allergen-free flight, we will try to make reasonable accommodations for any traveler’s needs.
‘When you notify us that you have a peanut allergy, we’ll refrain from serving peanuts and peanut products onboard your flight. Instead, we’ll offer non-peanut snack items to everyone.’
Etihad Airways
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We do not accept responsibility for any allergic reaction on board our flights.
‘If you have a severe allergy or have any other specific dietary requirements, we recommend that you bring your own food on board with you, keeping in mind the current liquid restrictions.
‘We do not guarantee a peanut-free environment on board. Nuts may be served on all of our aircraft or used as an ingredient in any of our menus. Other passengers may also bring items on board that contain nuts.’
Emirates
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We serve gluten‑friendly and low‑lactose meals, as well as meals to suit other medical conditions.
‘We can’t guarantee our meals are nut free. We serve nuts on all our flights, either as a meal ingredient or as an accompaniment to drinks.
‘Other passengers may also bring food on board that contains nuts, and traces of nut residue could be passed on to other surfaces of the aircraft as well as through the air conditioning system.’
EVA Air
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We cannot prohibit all passengers from bringing, opening or eating their own peanut/nut products in the aircraft cabin and/or VIP lounge.
‘We are also unable to modify the cabin environment to a peanut/nut-free one as requested by individual passengers.
‘Therefore, we strongly advise passenger(s) with peanut/nut allergies to check with their own physicians regarding their fitness to fly given this situation.
‘Passenger(s) and/or their travel companions/escorts should be familiar with the treatment for their allergic reaction if it should occur.’
Many airlines do not make an announcement to request customers do not eat peanuts or an allergen onboard
Finnair
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘We cannot, unfortunately, guarantee an allergen-free cabin environment while travelling with us. Some of our in-flight meals or snacks may contain peanuts or peanut products or be produced at a facility that handles peanuts. Also, we cannot prevent other passengers from bringing nuts onboard.
‘Upon request, our cabin crew can request the customers seated near you not to consume nuts during the flight, and suspend the serving of loose nut snacks in your proximity. We cannot, however, announce the matter to all the customers on board.’
Hawaiian Airlines
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We are never able to create an allergen-free environment. Any meals or snacks served onboard may contain nuts, and passengers seated near you may carry on nuts and consume them onboard.
‘We do not make announcements or alter in-flight food and beverage service to accommodate guests with allergies.’
Japan Airlines
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘From September 2014, the JAL Group eliminated peanuts and products including peanuts from in-flight meals on all international and domestic flights, and the food and drink menu that is offered at JAL-operated domestic and overseas lounges.
‘However, unfortunately we cannot promise that peanuts have been completely removed from the cabin since, in addition to the possibility of food cross contamination during the manufacturing process, we can’t place restrictions on peanuts that customers bring with them.
‘Cabin crew can ask other customers around you to refrain from taking food containing allergens.’
JetBlue
Do they serve nuts: No
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘If you have a nut allergy, JetBlue’s policy is to discretely create a buffer zone for nut consumption one row in front of and one row behind the customer with the allergy.
‘Customers in these rows will be asked to not consume any nuts during the flight. JetBlue does not offer any nuts in the free snack choices and does not offer peanuts in the snack choices available for onboard purchase.
‘JetBlue does not provide a formal announcement on board the aircraft or in the gate area regarding the restrictive consumption of nuts, and we can’t prevent customers from bringing nuts onboard or consuming them aboard the aircraft.’
Jet2
Do they serve nuts: No
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘Jet2.com no longer serve nut-based products onboard, but we can’t guarantee that other customers won’t bring their own nut products.
‘However, if Cabin Crew are made aware of a nut allergy sufferer, they will announce to passengers at the beginning of the flight that there’s someone on the plane with a nut allergy.
‘They will also tell customers not to eat any nut-based food during the flight. If you have a nut allergy, please let us know at the time of booking and let the Cabin Crew know when boarding your flight.’
KLM
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Our meals do not contain any whole or ground peanuts or peanut paste. Still, we cannot guarantee that KLM flights are 100 per cent free of peanut contamination. Unfortunately, when serving a mixed-nut snack, we don’t have an alternative to offer you.’
Lufthansa
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Allergies or food intolerances have a wide variety of causes. These cannot be completely eliminated, even on board an aircraft.
‘Lufthansa does not generally serve peanuts on its flights. However, we cannot guarantee that our aircraft and the food served on board are completely free of peanuts or peanut products or that passengers do not bring products containing peanuts on board with them. The same also applies to other foodstuffs that may cause an allergic reaction.
‘In the event of a food intolerance or a severe allergic reaction on board, our medically trained personnel have access at all times to medicines for emergency medical care. Furthermore, there is a 24-hour hotline on all Lufthansa long-haul flights which can be used to contact a doctor.’
Malaysia Airlines
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Malaysia Airlines is unable to guarantee a peanut/nut-free environment in its aircraft or airport lounges. The airline does not prohibit passengers from bringing their own peanut/nut products on board.
‘Malaysia Airlines will not implement peanut-free or nut-free buffer zones and/or remove the service of peanut or nut snacks; nor make onboard announcements refraining passengers from consuming peanuts/nuts.’
Qantas
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Because of the wide variety of possible allergens to which a customer may be sensitive, and the fact that our other customers may bring allergens with them, we can’t guarantee an allergy free environment onboard or in our lounges.
‘For this reason, we recommend that you carry any allergy medication you may need with you, including adrenalin auto injectors, in the cabin of the aircraft, keep them within easy reach and be ready to administer the medication if necessary.’
Qatar Airways
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We do our best to accommodate passengers with special allergy needs. However, as our flights are open to the public, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.’
Singapore Airlines
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Singapore Airlines is unable to provide a nut-free cabin or guarantee an allergy-free environment on board.
‘While we do not serve peanuts as snacks, we do serve other nuts such as cashews and almonds across all cabin classes. Customers may also consume their own snacks or meals on board, which may contain nuts or their derivatives.’
South African Airlines
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Travellers who are allergic to peanuts and/or other substances are required to bring it to the attention of the reservations department.
‘In the event that you suffer from a severe allergy, you are required to bring your own emergency medication with you. SAA will not take any responsibility should you have an allergic reaction on board.’
‘If you have any food allergies or special dietary requirements, such as gluten-free, vegan or nut-free, SAA can serve a suitable meal for you on any of our flights.’
Spirit
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘We cannot guarantee an allergen-free flight nor are we able to control potential allergens in public areas such as the ticket counters and boarding gates.
‘We ask that any Guests with severe allergies alert our agents and crew upon arrival at the airport and during travel so that we may attempt to accommodate your needs. We strongly encourage Guests to take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure to an allergen.’
‘In an effort to ensure your well-being, please alert our gate agents and Flight Attendants if you do have an allergy, and we will create a peanut-free buffer zone for you.
‘This means we will not sell nut products in the row you’ll be seated in, the row in front of you, the row behind you, and the adjacent rows to each.
‘The Guests in these rows will also be asked to refrain from consuming peanut-based products.
‘Please note that we are unable to restrict other Guests from bringing and consuming their own peanut products on board and announcements will be made only to those in the buffer zone.’
Southwest Airlines
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘We don’t serve peanuts on our flights. Instead, depending on flight length, we offer pretzels and a few other complimentary snacks.
‘However, many of the snacks we serve may be packaged in the same facility as peanuts, so we can’t guarantee that they don’t contain peanut particles or oil.
‘We also can’t prevent others from bringing peanuts or peanut products onboard or guarantee that peanut remnants won’t be on the plane floor, seats, or tray tables.’
SWISS
Do they serve nuts: No Peanuts
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘We show consideration to passengers with food allergies and have a policy of not serving peanuts on board. However, for technical reasons we are unable to provide meals without any trace of peanuts.
‘The meals and snacks served on board may contain nuts or ingredients that are based on peanuts. We advise passengers with serious allergies to consider the possible reactions and carry their own emergency medicine with them.
‘Under certain circumstances, they may prefer to bring their own food that does not require chilling or heating on board. If you have a food allergy, please contact the SWISS Service Centre or your cabin crew team. Out of consideration for their fellow passengers, we request all our passengers not to bring peanuts on board with them.’
Thai Airways
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Due to the number of passengers on THAI flights, the company cannot guarantee a 100 per cent nut-free environment in its lounges nor aircraft cabins.
‘Nevertheless, if THAI is informed well in advance of a passenger’s medical condition, the company will strive to ensure that each touch point is aware of passenger requirements.’
Turkish Airlines
Do they serve nuts: Yes
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Take precautions against potential allergy attacks before you travel to enjoy a pleasant flight.’
United Airlines
Do they serve nuts: No Peanuts
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘United is committed to the safety of its customers, including customers with major food allergies. United does not serve pre-packaged peanuts on our flights. However, we prepare and serve meals and snacks utilizing a variety of other ingredients including major food allergens.’
‘Due to the presence of food allergens in the processing environment and in meals and snacks served, United cannot guarantee an allergen-free meal or environment on its flights.
‘Further, it is not possible to prevent customers from bringing food items on board that contain major food allergens including peanuts.
‘If you have a severe food allergy and are traveling on a flight please notify a flight attendant on board the aircraft that you request an allergy buffer zone so we can attempt to notify customers seated nearby to refrain from eating any allergen-containing products they may have brought on board.
‘Please understand that we cannot prevent any customer from eating the products they have brought on board.’
Virgin Blue
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: No
What they say: ‘Virgin Australia cannot guarantee an allergy-free environment on board our aircraft. If you have a life-threatening allergy you must carry appropriate medication with you, within easy reach and be able to administer it if required.’
Westjet
Do they serve nuts: No peanuts
Will they make an announcement: Yes
What they say: ‘WestJet is committed to the safety of all our guests and we respect the concerns of guests with severe allergies that may cause a person to experience significant physical distress if they are directly exposed to the allergen.
‘Please understand that our aircraft is open to the public, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.
‘Without identifying the allergic guest, advising guests sitting in the same bank of seats to refrain from consuming or using products that might cause an allergic reaction.’
Source: Mail Online
