Flying with Food Allergies
The most important thing I can tell you is that you must be your own advocate. Do not rely on others to care for you or to understand what your needs are when flying with a food allergy.
Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Wear appropriate identification identifying your food allergy. I recommend RoadID since it is comfortable and engraved (won’t wear off).
2. Notify flight attendants of your allergy and tell them where your emergency medication is located. Keep this medication with you at your seat. Do not store it in your bag overhead and NEVER pack medication in your checked luggage. There are times when you are not allowed to get out of your seat for safety reasons (take-off, landing, and during turbulence). Your medication should be easily accessible to you at all times while seated.
3. Consider traveling with the Tray Bien to store your personal belongings and medication on the back of the tray table. This helps to eliminate the possibility of leaving your medication/belongings in the seat pocket. (According to flight attendants this happens frequently).
4. Wipe down your seat before sitting down, or a better alternative is to cover the seat with your own cover. This will help protect you from residue if the passenger before you ate something you are allergic to. I like to use PlaneSheets for hygiene reasons, but these seat covers are a big hit with passengers with food allergies.
5. Do not use the pillow/blanket provided by the airlines. They are disgusting and could have been used to wipe a mouth or hands. Protect yourself – bring your own pillow/blanket to use in flight. I recommend a multi-purpose product like PlaneComfort. This bag/pillow/blanket combination is another great place to store your medication, letter from your MD, and personal items. Then use the pillow/blanket for your comfort and protection!
6. Do NOT eat food/snacks provided by the airlines. Let’s be realistic here – you are not missing out on anything great. Bring your own healthy snacks/food. I recommend the IcyBag to keep snacks, sandwiches, and/or medication cool. Most times your fellow passengers will be envious of the “smart” decision and planning on your part to be self-sufficient! Just, please, be courteous and avoid eating strong smelling foods such as tuna, curry, seafood, fried foods, etc.
7. There are certain requests that you can make with an airline. However, in today’s world I don’t think it is wise to rely on anyone complying or being sensitive to your needs. Remember, even if you talk to a very sensitive, highly intelligent reservations agent, supervisor, or even gate agent, do not count on the end result to be what you requested. It all really comes down to the flight attendants on your flight, and they are unable to guarantee the flight to be allergen free. Talk politely and calmly to them. Request that the food you are allergic to is not served in your area of the plane. If someone is eating something near you – don’t freak out. Calmly ask to be moved to another seat. Freaking out will not solve anything and may get you removed from the flight, fined, or put behind bars.
Your health is on the line. Be your own advocate. The most severe reactions occur when food is ingested. You can control that.
* Travel with peace of mind. My family never leaves home without MedJetAssist. Who’s bringing you home?
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