If you have a child with nut allergies and travel by plane..(UPDATE)

We are booked to go to Fla. in 2 weeks. My granddaughter is severely allergic to tree nuts (Peanuts are ok) I spoke to someone who is a flight attendant for Jet Blue. She said they serve little packets of a mixed nut which contains cashews. She said we should call ahead of time. Also tell them at the gate and they will tell the flight crew. They will make a "buffer zone" a row in front and in back where they wont' serve nuts and they'll ask the people not to eat nuts if they've brought their own. We are concerned that this isnt enough. That the nut protein/aroma, etc. can travel thru the air filtration system of the plane and she can have a reaction. This is the first time we would be travelling with her since her diagnosis in Jan. She has anaphalactic to nuts which means we need to carry epi pens with us. My daughter is ready to cancel the trip, because she's afraid of her having a reaction while in the air. Of course, the last thing I want is for anything to happen to my granddaughter, so we are concerned. Does anyone have any experience/advice? We need some reassurance that it will be ok. My daughter is going to call Jet Blue to ask if it's possible for them NOT to serve that nut mix on our flights. She is also going to call the allergist to see what he says. Thanks.

UPDATE: My daughter called Jet Blue last night. The woman was very nice. She told her that instead of staying in the seats we reserved (in the middle of the plane with people ALL around) she said we can have the first row going down and the last row coming back. So we won't be in the middle of the "crowd". She also said they do serve a nut mix on the flight but we can talk to the gate attendant as well as the crew and ask if possible if they can NOT give out that one particular snack. They offer 5 or 6 others. People can live without nuts for a 2 1/2 hr. flight!! She said they will also ask the people in 4 or 5 rows behind us (and in front of us coming back) not to eat nuts and will not offer their nut mix to those people. She also said they have a new filtration system on the plane so not all the air is recirculated. Just hoping for a safe flight.

Message edited 10/18/2013 11:51:37 AM.

Message edited 10/18/2013 1:54:17 PM.

Re: If you have a child with nut allergies and travel by plane..

Ive been on a flight before where they announced that they would not be serving nuts due to an allergy on board.. so im sure this is possible.. I would definitely call ahead of time AND mention at the gate also.

Re: If you have a child with nut allergies and travel by plane..

I've heard they don't serve nuts and tell people not to open nuts in a case like this. With all these nut allergies I don't get why they even still serve nuts. Plus nuts are expensive. I've only ever gotten chips and goldfish on planes.

Re: If you have a child with nut allergies and travel by plane..

My son has a peanut allergy and I made everyone aware of it when we flew to Florida earlier this year. We flew Jet Blue and they did not serve anything containing nuts on our flight. I'm not sure if that's just standard for the airline or if they made the change bc I asked. I would definitely voice your concerns to everyone you see at the gate and on the plane. They should definitely be able to accommodate you to the point that you feel comfortable. I would have them make an announcement before people board your plane too bc technically people can bring whatever food they want on board.

Re: If you have a child with nut allergies and travel by plane..

You can 100% request a nut-free flight. The airlines don't want the liability either.

The mom should keep requesting this (ahead of time via phone, at the reservation desk, to a supervisor, to the flight attendants, etc). Tell everyone. Ask if they will make an announcement on the plane so people who brought food onto the plane know not to eat it.

Still, take precautions - Wipe down the seat and arm rests when you arrive at your seat. Empty the back seat pocket. Bring extra epi pens and Benedryl, just in case.

Re: If you have a child with nut allergies and travel by plane..

We flew in March and there was an allergy, therefore, they didn't serve the nuts and asked if anyone on board had a snack that contained nuts, to please not open it.

If you have a child with nut allergies and travel by plane..

wow.. i feel bad now.. I love cashews! I never thought twice about buying some in the airport and eating them on board. I've never heard an annoucement. I think I'll stop buying them, not worth watching someone suffer. :(

Re: If you have a child with nut allergies and travel by plane..