Flying With Peanut Allergy

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Published studies showed that severe, or anaphylactic, reactions caused by peanuts that occurred on flights generally came from the ingestion of peanut-containing meals or snacks. Other reactions from exposure via skin contact or inhalation are dependent on each individual’s situation.  However, studies have found that if only a few people on the airplane are consuming peanut containing snacks, there is a much lower risk of an anaphylactic reaction.

There are a lot of variables for an anaphylactic reaction such as how many people are eating peanuts on a flight and their proximity to the allergic individual.  Some airlines offer “buffer zones” around the passenger; some will serve a non-peanut snack on a particular flight if notified in advance; some airlines have discontinued the serving of peanuts altogether. However, case studies do show that it would require more than just a few people on an aircraft eating peanuts to generally cause an airborne reaction. Case studies reassure us that, when proper precautions are taken, the probability of an airborne reaction to peanut while on a plane is greatly reduced. However, one must realize that a reaction is always a possibility and a medical plan (as instructed by one’s personal health care provider) may be necessary should you suspect that a reaction is occurring.