The Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research at Northwestern University has released a study highlighting the concerns faced by individuals with food allergies during air travel. The study, which will be published on December 5 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, surveyed over 4,700 patients and families worldwide.
Findings indicate that airline travel is a significant source of anxiety for those managing food allergies. Travelers often worry about whether accommodations promised during booking, such as allergen-free buffer zones or cabin announcements, will be honored. Many respondents reported that these accommodations were not provided once onboard.
Lead author Christopher Warren noted that "air travel is a major stressor for those affected by food allergy," with airline policies being a primary consideration when making travel decisions. Lianne Mandelbaum, co-author and advocate for food-allergic passengers' safety measures, emphasized the uncertainty surrounding how crew members handle nut allergies. She described flying with food allergies as "akin to a game of roulette."
Mandelbaum's organization, No Nut Traveler, has collected testimonials from passengers who have faced challenges such as being removed from flights or mocked by flight attendants. Passengers simply want the precautions they requested during booking to be fulfilled.
The study also found that many travelers do not disclose their food allergy due to fear of negative consequences. Warren mentioned that most surveyed travelers believe their anxiety could be reduced if airlines implemented appropriate policies consistently.
Senior author Dr. Ruchi Gupta shared her experiences managing food allergies during flights and stressed the importance of having unexpired epinephrine auto-injectors available in emergency kits.
The research involved over 40 global institutions and advocacy organizations to understand better the experiences and barriers faced by those traveling with food allergies.