Traveling is hard enough, but when you have nut allergies it can be near impossible. An estimated 15 million Americans have nut allergies and American Airlines Group Inc., is implementing a new policy that will allow people with nut allergies to board early.
Starting December 12, 2018 people with nut allergies have the option to board early in order to allow suffers extra time to wipe down their area that’s potential exposure to allergens. The move comes after objections were made by passenger whose son has a deadly life-threatening peanut allergy.
Photo Courtesy of American Airlines
“American Airlines customers with nut allergies who would like to board our flights early to wipe down surfaces may ask to do so at the gate,” said American Airlines spokeswoman Michelle Mohr, CNN states.
“I certainly understand the deep, deep concern people have, especially parents with young children,” Mohr said. Mohr herself suffers from a severe nut allergy and carries an EpiPen.
The Food Allergy Research & Education filed complaints over the issue Bloomberg News reports and in a filing with the U.S. Transportation Department the airline stated it would start the new change when the when their in-flight manuals are updated next month. While the airline hasn’t served peanuts in years, they still cannot guarantee that passengers with nut allergies won’t be exposed to items containing nuts since customers are welcome to bring on board their own snacks.
Photo Courtesy of American Airlines
American Airlines isn’t the only carrier who will provide this service to travelers. Delta does allow those with nut allergies to pre-board and when notified in advance the airline will not serve peanuts or related food items on specific flights.
SouthWest doesn’t allow people with food allergies to board early, however they stopped serving peanuts on all flights this summer.