Daniel Levitan was barred from boarding a U.S. plane after his parents asked for a tannoy announcement advising fellow fliers not to eat nuts

A peanut-allergic schoolboy was barred from boarding a U.S. plane after his parents asked for a tannoy announcement advising fellow fliers not to eat nuts.

The parents of Daniel Levitan are appalled at their alleged treatment by American Airlines, adding a staff member had told them previously: 'Americans have the right to eat nuts'.

Daniel, 11, was at the gate at Florida's Fort Myers airport on Sunday when his parents demanded the announcement - but an American Airlines staff member refused, they said.

In the ensuing row, Daniel's parents explained his throat could have closed in a 'worst case scenario', which prompted them to be barred altogether.

The AA staff member then allegedly demanded to see a 'fit to fly' certificate before sending the family away and cancelling their tickets.

The fiasco meant the Levitans, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, had to stay another two nights in Florida and spend £200 on phone calls rearranging flights for two days later.

'A pilot even came out and said he had no problems making an announcement,' said Daniel's mother Judith. 'But the woman at the gate and the head office wouldn't have any of it.

'They cancelled our tickets and we were driven to a hotel. Daniel was left mortified and embarrassed from being made a spectacle of and he thought he'd ruined the holiday.

'Howard and I were on the phone from 10pm to 4.30am trying to sort it out.'

Daniel suffered a severe allergic reaction to peanuts at the age of one, when his throat closed up and he had to be taken to hospital.

A doctor advised Judith and husband Howard to keep him clear of all nuts in future. Since then he has kept an epipen by his side and suffered only minor wheezing and skin rashes.

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Row: Daniel Levitan (third from left) on holiday in Florida with his brother Joel, mother Judith and father Howard

His parents said they warned British Airways, which arranged the American Airlines flights, about Daniel's allergy three weeks before setting off on the winter break.

They were told the airline would happily 'make accommodations' for the family as long as they told staff as they boarded the plane.

Although AA does not serve bags of peanuts on its planes, it does serve 'warmed nuts' and passengers are allowed to eat their own food.

Staff agreed to make a warning announcement when IT consultant Howard, 46, dental practice employee Judith, 41, Daniel and his brother Joel flew out from Heathrow to Fort Myers via Dallas on Boxing Day.

However, Mrs Levitan said she was 'warned' by an AA cabin crew member on the outbound journey: 'Americans have the right to eat nuts'.

Then, when they came home via the same route on Sunday and tried to board the internal flight to Dallas, they ended up in a fierce dispute with staff.

Reaction: Daniel, 11, pictured left with his mother Judith, was taken to hospital at the age of one and has avoided peanuts since

'I am absolutely appalled', said Mrs Levitan. 'When we approached them the woman taking tickets was clearly already stressed.

'We told her about the situation and after refusing to help us she then asked what the worst case scenario would be.

'We told him he had his steroids, antihistamines, and adrenaline with him if anything happened but the worst case scenario would be that his throat closed and the plane would have to land so he could get medical attention.

'Though he has only had one episode when he was diagnosed, that was it for them. They didn't understand anaphylactic shock or allergies at all despite the fact they had first aid training.

'They said they wanted a "fit to fly" medical certificate, but Daniel isn't ill.

'I have a relative who is a doctor in America so he sent a letter saying there is no way Daniel could die on the flight.'

They were eventually let on a flight two days later, but claim AA staff still refused to make an announcement about Daniel's condition.

A passenger then opened a packet of nuts in the seat behind the family - prompting a nervous Daniel to have a panic attack and start hyperventilating into a paper bag.

Dispute: Daniel with his mother Judith, who said she was 'absolutely appalled' over the incident

Happier times: Daniel (right) with his older brother Joel during the family holiday to Florida

'He was crying and panicking and I've never seen him like that,' said Mrs Levitan. 'He was completely panicked about having an allergic reaction because of everything that had gone on.

'My son has been left with a complex about his allergies following the ordeal, despite us always telling him it would not affect his life.

'We had to ask other passengers not to eat nuts ourselves and they couldn't believe it when they said American Airlines wouldn't make an announcement.'

The family have now made formal complaints against both airlines.

BA reportedly said it was AA's responsibility to buy new tickets because they cancelled them. AA, however, said it was BA's responsibility because that was who booked the flights originally.

The family managed to rebook their flights after contacting their original travel agent DialAFlight.

Karen Hart, head of consumer affairs and legal at DialAFlight, confirmed the travel agent had logged its own complaint with American Airlines.

She said: 'This seems like a very extreme reaction especially if the allergy has been declared before the flight and I'm very surprised they were refused boarding.

'Since hearing of the family's ordeal we have looked into it with the flight support team who have contacted the airline through the account managers.

'We have also taken the customer's complaints and sent that through to the airline which they have logged.

'We would be interested to hear what American Airlines have to say.'

A British Airways spokesman said the dispute was a matter for American Airlines.

An American Airlines spokesman said: 'We are sorry that the Levitan family experienced disruptions to their travel plans.

'The safety of our passengers is always our primary concern. In line with the US Department of Transport (DOT 14 CFR Part 382.23), in cases where there is reasonable doubt that an individual can complete a flight safely, without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight, we may request a medical certificate.

'This can apply to an allergy that is considered extremely severe.

'For the Levitan family, we were able to provide a hotel voucher for the 4 Jan and they were rebooked – at no extra cost – on a flight home at the earliest possible occasion.'