Air Travel - Before you Go
- Before booking your flight, read the airline’s allergy policy. Many airlines post their policy on their website. Find it by using the search function and searching for terms such as “allergies” or “peanuts.”
- Check the airline’s snack offerings. Individuals with peanut/tree nut allergy may want to consider choosing an airline that does not serve complimentary peanut/tree nut snacks with the beverage service. (Some airlines will serve a non-peanut/tree nut snack, such as pretzels, upon advance request.) This will greatly decrease the risk of exposure to peanuts/tree nuts during the flight. Keep in mind that airlines cannot guarantee you a peanut- or tree-nut-free flight because they cannot monitor or control the behavior of other passengers.
- When booking your flight, notify the reservation agent of your food allergy, and request that your information be forwarded to other personnel such as the gate agent, catering/food service, and flight crew.
- Since some airlines are cleaned at the end of each day, consider choosing early morning flights, where the chance of seats containing crumbs or food residue is minimized.
- Pack your own safe food to eat while traveling. Check with the airline to see if there are any restrictions as to which types of food you are allowed to bring on board or to your destination.
Air Travel - At the Airport
- Follow up on your request to notify airline personnel about your food allergy by reconfirming at every opportunity with the ticket agent, and again with the flight attendants.
- Ask the gate agent if you may pre-board the plane in order to inspect/clean your seating area.
Air Travel - On the Flight
- Inspect your seating area and wipe down the seat to help prevent contact reactions or inadvertent skin contact with food particles or spills. Eating food off a contaminated surface area could lead to accidental ingestion of allergens through cross-contact.
- Be courteous and polite with the flight crew. They are there to help you and we need to help educate them about food allergies and work with them to make accommodations for your flight.
- Never take a risk with food, especially when in the air and away from access to medical help.
- If you are dissatisfied with the airline, you may send a written complaint to the Airline Consumer Protection Division (ACPD).
Air Travel with Epinephrine Auto-injectors
When traveling, it is critical to carry two epinephrine auto-injectors with you at all times in order to be prepared for a severe allergic reaction. Follow these tips:
- Carry your Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan with your medication.
- FARE’s Medical Advisory Board recommends allowing your epinephrine auto-injectors to pass through the x-ray machines and security scanners used to screen carry-on luggage in airport security. While there is limited research on this topic, after searching the published medical literature, FARE’s Medical Advisory Board does not believe any scientific evidence exists that indicates a risk to the effectiveness of the medication, due to the fact that the amount of radiation emitted by an airport x-ray machine is similar to the amount of ambient radiation everyone experiences in a typical day on planet Earth. In addition, the x-ray machine is recommended over visual inspections of a device by TSA officials because visual inspections may increase the risk of accidental activation of or damage to the device, and the risk of losing the device. More information about traveling with medications and the effects of airport x-ray systems on medication are available from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
- Understand policies for carrying medication on board the aircraft. According to the TSA, passengers are allowed to bring their epinephrine on board the aircraft. However, you may need to show the printed label that identifies the medication (e.g., Adrenaclick®, Auvi-Q™, EpiPen®, Benadryl®). It is recommended that you also show the prescription label from the pharmacy and a note from your doctor that confirms your food allergy. Download a sample letter.
- Always keep your epinephrine/adrenaline with you; do not store in the overhead bin. Let others you are traveling with know about your allergies so they know what to do in case of an emergency on the flight and where your auto-injector is.
Traveling Overseas
- Find out if there are local doctors in the area that specialize in allergy. Will they be able to write you a prescription for additional auto-injectors or medications if you need them? Where is the closest hospital?
- Ask your doctor to write prescriptions that you can carry with you. Learn the generic and brand names in the countries you’ll be visiting.
- Bring several copies of your Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan. Carry chef cards in English and the language of the countries where you will be. Make sure these documents are with you at all times.
- Ask for recommendations for restaurants, hotels, activities, etc. Does your allergist have other patients who have had good experiences at certain places?
- Start planning early. Language barriers can be tough to deal with, but chances are there is someone who speaks English working at the hotel. With many Internet translation services available, email can be an effective way to correspond.
- Bring non-perishable food that is safe for you to eat. Dried pasta and allergen-free snack bars are good options. Don’t assume that the same products manufactured in other countries will contain the same ingredients.
- Specific travel tips for the United States and many international destinations are available from the International Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Alliance.
All Inclusive Resorts
- A growing number of family resorts are making the effort to be allergy-friendly. Ask for recommendations from your travel agent, family and friends.
- Before booking your stay, call ahead and speak to a hotel manager or director and explain the accommodations you require. Try to speak to the same resort manager every time, but make sure that others on the management team are aware of the situation.
- Don’t assume that just because one eatery at the location has “safe” food that they all do. Ask about ingredients and preparations at every restaurant, café and snack shop—every time.
- Even if you’ve stayed at a resort before and had a safe experience, many things may have changed since your last visit. Take precautions as if this were your first visit.
- Does the resort have a doctor or nurse on site? Are they there full-time? Be sure to note where their office is at the resort and its phone number in case you need to contact them.