This news is ridiculously exciting, even though I have no immediate international travel plans. Folks like you and me need to pay close attention. We also need to speak up. Why? When a major international airline like British Airways listens, evaluates and then adopts new food allergy protocol to keep their passengers safe, this sends a message to the other airlines. We need to let other carriers know that we’ll happily spend our money with airlines who support our life threatening allergies. According to Allergic Living’s article, “British Airways Crews Soon to Make Peanut Allergy Announcements”, the carrier will make in-flight announcements requesting people sitting near passengers with peanut AND tree nut allergies to not eat products containing peanut. UPDATE as of 8:32am PDT: the new policy includes TREE NUTS AND PEANUTS! WAHOOO.
Remember that video called “First Follower: Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy?” Ritesh Patel introduced us to this video and concept at a previous Food Allergy Blogger Conference. This video says it all about this movement that British Airways has started. I wonder if they realized they have created a movement? Please note: a movement won’t take off if we don’t join in!
British Airways posts a very realistic Food Allergy Policy on their website. The new announcement policy has not been fully updated on their website. I was thrilled when I read their Current Suggestions for Traveling with Medical Conditions to air travelers with food allergies. I highly suggest that you take peek at it too–this is just rock solid advice on traveling with food allergies. Also, what impressed me is that British Airways cabin crew has been trained on recognizing the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis and will help with administration, but expecting traveling companions to treat the traveler first.
The takeaway: British Airways appears to remain very concerned for passengers with life-threatening allergies while also expecting us to be responsible too. We need other domestic and international carriers to follow British Airway’s leadership in addressing the management of anaphylaxis and peanut allergies in the great big blue sky. We also need people with food allergies to be responsible and be prepared for air travel. Next time you book a flight, drop a note via customer service and/or social media asking them to follow British Airways’ protocol too.
My dream: I hope this movement grows and we’ll see soon stronger food allergen policy across all airlines. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Time to contact British Airways to applaud their efforts! Maybe consider dropping them a tweet?@British_Airways or give some love via Facebook or Linkedin?
Secret: Every time I see a win with the airlines, I know who the wind beneath the wings is on this: No Nut Traveler, Lianne Mandelbaum. Thank you for giving a voice to the needs of travelers with life-threatening food allergies. It takes a village and I know there are many people involved making this kind of change and I appreciate your never quit spirit that keeps us united.
Disclaimer: I adore Allergic Living Magazine and am their Product Review Editor. Clearly, I am painfully biased as I have been a huge enthusiast for years. I am a new-found fan of British Airways and have been a long time admirer of Ritesh Patel and Lianne Mandelbaum, both of whom I consider friends. None of these entities or individuals asked me to write about this wonderful news or to be complimentary. I’m just one happy food allergy mama today with this news!
Are you going to take a minute and drop British Airways a note?
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One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
I recently travelled with BA in April 2016 and they refused to stop serving peanuts and make an announcement so is this high profile turnaround on their policy just free advertising, My daughter had an allergic reaction on board a plane with dirty in arm trays and the surrounding areas splattered with old food particles and dust; absolutely shocking.
Oh no! How disappointing! Have you heard of No Nut Traveler? You can share the good, the bad and the ugly ravel stories. Also, I believe you at the no nut traveler website you can find out how to report a reaction.