There was a flurry of media attention recently when the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced on June 8, 2010, that it was considering (again) banning peanuts on flights. Specifically, "Peanut Allergies" was the last in a list of a Summary of Proposals issued by the DOT.
As taken directly from the DOT site (http://www.dot.gov/affairs/2010/Background%20on%20Rule.html):
12. Peanut Allergies
A. Solicit comment on three options to providing greater access to air travel for persons with peanut allergies:
1. Banning the serving of peanuts and all peanut products by both U.S. and foreign carriers on flights covered by DOT’s disability rule;
2. Banning the serving of peanuts and all peanut products on all such flights where a passenger with a peanut allergy is on board and has requested a peanut-free flight in advance;
3. Requiring a peanut-free buffer zone in the immediate area of a passenger with a medically-documented severe allergy to peanuts if passenger has requested a peanut-free flight in advance.
B. Solicit comment on whether it is preferable to maintain the current practice of allowing carriers to serve peanuts on aircraft without any restriction.
A June 22 clarification (http://issuu.com/regulationroom/docs/airline_passenger_rights_nprm_clari...)removed number 12 from the list, taking the peanut allergy issue off the table for now.
FAAN has issued a statement (http://www.foodallergy.org/page/dot-proposal) to the DOT on the issue. I suspect there will be more to come with people feeling very strongly on both sides of the issue.
Be sure to take all necessary medications, with a doctor's note, when flying. Most airlines will comply with a request to wipe down seating areas and may provide a buffer zone around the allergic person. At this point, it is all voluntary.
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Food Allergy Assistant
That's sad they are no longer
That's sad they are no longer persueing this. From what I was reading most of those people opposed were just uninformed of the realities of peanut allergies. Saying things like "if you're allergic, don't eat it". I hope they revisit this again and soon.
Son, 3 1/2, PA
We flew 2 flights with our
We flew 2 flights with our severely allergic daughter. Flight One--no problems, they served pretzels or cookies instead. Flight Two--TERRIBLE! The announced on the speaker that those in rows 7 8 9 10 and 11 would not be able to have peanuts (we were in row 9). How terrible is that! And of course one person in one of those rows was furious. It was a nightmare! Same airline--two different happenings within one weeks time!