Though I was born with a severe peanut allergy, my sensitivity to this legume has increased since the Lyme Disease. Even breathing in the particles causes breathing discomfort. We had transatlantic flights, and the thought of an allergic reaction in the middle of the ocean was concerning. Though I would always ask airlines if they were serving peanuts to ensure I wouldn’t eat any, this time I had to see what their policies were regarding regulating airborne particles too.
Guess what? British Airways and American Airlines are PEANUT FREE airlines. These, then, we booked.
The Extra Safety Measures
Though these airlines will (supposedly) not serve peanuts, they do serve things with seeds and nuts, so it’s always good to double check for your safety. With something so deadly, it’s always best to do your part.
Our Check List:
1. We researched masks to wear to protect against airborne allergens. My requirements were N-99, respirator (to make sure my mask didn’t steam up and get annoying), good seal, CUTE. We decided on the Cambridge Mask which was also handy since it protects you from bacteria and viruses too. The last time I got sick was last December which left me bedridden for a few days, so since this was my last experience, I didn’t want to risk anything. FYI, I’m still sickness-free!
2. We packed wet wipes to take care of any peanuty particles and germs left on our seats and trays from previous flyers.
3. We went to the gate and asked the attendants if they knew whether or not peanuts were to be served. I knew that the flights were peanut free, but none of them surprisingly ever knew that their airline was peanut free. It was good for us to double check, though, because A. they called and asked around to make sure which alerted other staff of my allergy and B. They made sure to note my seat number and were on the lookout.
How The Airlines Helped
1. My seat was noted, and one time a stewardess asked me to look at the ingredients of one of the snacks that said “made in a facility that processes peanuts” before she served them.
2. On every flight, they made an announcement that went something like “Thank you for your attention. We have a passenger on board with a severe nut allergy. We are asking that you refrain from eating anything with nuts, nut oils or nut products, especially peanuts for the duration of this flight. Thank you for your cooperation.”
3. On one flight, they asked me to preboard to give me an opportunity to talk to the staff and wipe down my area without feeling crammed.
4. Every staff member for every flight was extremely helpful and thoughtful. American Airlines and British Airlines have my business forever!
All in all, we had excellent service, I had no allergic reactions, and my confidence with flying with my new requirements has soared.
I hope this post is helpful! If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
