When people travel by plane, typically, they want to find an airline that offers the least expensive airfares.  This is not the case for people with food allergies.   Rather, they need to find an airline that will accommodate their needs.   Airline policies vary widely between airlines.  Some may accommodate people with peanut allergies, and others may flatly refuse.  Therefore, it is vital for people with food allergies or parents who have children with peanut allergies to do their homework and choose the right airline.

Related Food Allergy Lawsuit Case Result - An accidental exposure food allergy case settles favorably for a client who is allergic to mushrooms

Below is a list of airlines with their allergy policy (provided by about.com).  However, policies may change.  Please check with the airlines about their allergy policies before traveling.

American Airlines

American Airlines does not serve peanuts in-flight, but does serve other nuts, which may contain traces of peanut. They cannot guarantee that a flight will be peanut-free.

Continental Airlines

Continental Airlines does not serve peanuts in-flight, but cannot guarantee that food served will be free of all traces of peanuts.

Delta Air Lines

As of June 1, 2012, Delta will refrain from serving peanuts on a flight if a customer notifies Delta of their allergy at least 48 hours before their flight. If a customer does not inform Delta 48 hours prior to their flight or informs Delta at the gate, the airline will create a "buffer zone" of three rows in front of and behind a flyer with a severe peanut allergy.   In addition, people seated in this buffer zone will be served non-peanut snacks, while the rest of the flyers on the plane may receive peanuts.  The airline also allows people with a severe peanut allergy to pre-board and sanitize their seat.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue does not serve peanuts on-board, but does serve other nuts.  Thus, there is a risk of cross-contamination of these other nuts with peanuts.   Like Delta, JetBlue will create a buffer zone around a flyer with a severe peanut allergy on request and ask passengers in that zone not to eat any nuts.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest normally serves peanuts in-flight, but can substitute other snacks upon request. Southwest suggests that flyers with peanut allergies book their flights by phone and not through the internet.  This way, the customers can notify the airline of their allergy as you cannot do so on the internet.  The airline also suggests flyers with peanut allergies to book early morning flights, as the planes are at their cleanest.

US Airways

US Airways cannot accommodate customers' peanut-free snack requests.

United Airlines

United does not serve peanuts or foods cooked in peanut oil in-flight. However, they do serve prepackaged foods that may be cross-contaminated with peanuts.

Help From A PA and NJ Food Allergy Lawyer

If you have questions about a loved one's legal rights after being accidentally exposed to a food allergen, call Daniel J. O'Brien, Esq. to schedule a FREE consultation. 877.944.8396