For Sophie Wilson, inhaling peanut particles could result in a potentially fatal allergic reaction. So when the 26-year-old boarded a flight to Rio with Lufthansa in October 2015 – having alerted them in advance to her allergy – she didn’t think she’d be risking her life.

“I informed them a month before I flew – and the airline said the cabin crew would help when I got on board,” said Sophie. “Once on the plane, I asked a flight attendant if an announcement could be made. His response was: ‘We can’t ask 399 other passengers not to eat nuts because of you.’”

“Thirty minutes later he put a mask on my lap, saying that if I didn’t wear it they would turn the plane around. He said the office was wrong to say they could assist me on board. I felt completely helpless.”

Sophie’s experience is rare, but flying remains risky for people with food and pet allergies. Approximately 2 million people in the UK have a mild- to life-threatening food allergy, and around 25,000 people in England (there are no statistics for other countries) have a peanut allergy.

Some airlines, such as Qantas, train staff to recognise the symptoms of anaphylaxis, others provide special meals

Legislating on airline allergy policies is impossible, due to the number of potential reaction triggers that could be present on board. It is currently unclear whether allergens, such as dog hair or peanut particles, which have been filtered through a plane’s air system are present enough to trigger an airborne reaction. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has begun research to establish whether there is any evidence that this is a risk for allergic passengers.

A CAA representative said: “We believe the findings will be useful to airlines as guidance when developing policies on food allergies. Our aviation medical specialists aim to determine the true nature of the risk, and what measures can be taken as a consequence. The aviation industry would welcome evidence-based guidance and this should help to ensure the development of a more consistent response by airlines.”

Photograph: Studiomode/Alamy

There is currently no blanket policy on how airlines should deal with allergies, but the increasing prevalence of the condition, coupled with heightened concern from passengers, means many have independently updated their procedures. Some, such as Qantas, train staff to recognise the symptoms of anaphylaxis, others provide special meals, or make an announcement asking passengers not to eat nuts. Some, however, say they cannot help.

Student David Dwek flew with South African company Mango Airlines to Cape Town in August 2016. Out of a group of 30 students, five had life-threatening nut allergies.

“We were told making an announcement was against company policy,” said David. “It should never be against a company’s policy to make an announcement that could save lives. If someone came up to you and said they could die if you ate nuts near them, most people wouldn’t do it.”

A ban on food allergens isn’t the solution, says Holly Shaw, a nurse adviser at the charity Allergy UK, as it “creates a complacent society where people assume they are safe. Flying with an allergy is all about individual risk assessment, taking responsibility for your own safety and communicating with airlines at all stages.”

A spokesperson for Lufthansa said: “The crew correctly advised Miss Wilson they couldn’t guarantee that nobody would eat nuts on board so offered her the chance to leave the flight. They offered her a mask, which she refused.”

Mango Airlines said: “Due to the lapse of time, we are still investigating this on-board matter and apologise for the manner in which our guests were responded to by our cabin crew.”

The CAA said: “Any UK passengers who have concerns or complaints about their experiences, and have not had a satisfactory response from their airline, can contact the Aviation Health Unit of the CAA for advice.”

Airline allergy policy at a glance

British Airways

Cannot guarantee a nut-free flight. Nuts are served on board but, on request, BA can suspend the sale of them on board and make an announcement.

Emirates

Emirates serve nuts on all flights as a meal ingredient or accompaniment to drinks. There is no option for a special meal and the airline requests that passengers bring their own food on board for the flight.



Easyjet

Peanuts are sold on board but sale can be suspended if the cabin crew are informed in advance. An announcement can be made to request that other passengers do not eat nuts but the airline cannot guarantee that they will comply.

Qantas

Qantas removed peanuts from all it’s flights in the early 2000s and minimised their use in food on board after passengers voiced their concerns about flying with a severe allergy. Other nuts may be served and the Qantas cannot guarantee an allergen-free flight. Staff are trained to spot symptoms of anaphylaxis and spare Epipens are carried on board. Special meals are available.



Qatar

Those with severe allergies must complete a MEDIF information form and provide a doctor’s letter no less than 48 hours before travel. Passengers with allergies are advised to bring their own food.

Lufthansa

In general, peanuts are not served on flights. An allergen-free environment cannot be guaranteed.

Ryanair

Cannot guarantee a peanut-free flight.

Virgin Atlantic

Peanuts are never knowingly included but meals may contain traces, and other nuts may be served on board. Cabin crew can make announcements by request prior to flying.

American Airlines

Peanuts are not served but other nuts are and requests to halt service are not granted. Other passengers may bring nuts on board. There is no guarantee of a nut-free flight.

Delta

Can’t guarantee a nut free flight, but if informed in advance Delta will suspend the sale of peanuts as snacks on board and allow passengers to pre-board in order to clean their seating area.

Air France

An allergen-free meal is available by prior request, but this may be subject to availability depending on the destination.