7/5 2024
I am disappointed and concerned regarding the handling of my severe nut allergy on a recent flight from Belleville, Illinois to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Allegiant Airlines.
Upon boarding the flight, I informed the cabin crew of my severe nut allergy and requested an announcement be made to fellow passengers, as is customary with other airlines I have flown with, such as Delta and KLM.
To my surprise, the employee I spoke with refused, stating that as a public transportation carrier, Allegiant Airlines does not make such announcements. This was alarming and unsettling, considering my previous experiences where airlines were more than willing to accommodate this critical safety request.
Furthermore, the employee mentioned that Allegiant serves numerous items containing nuts. My husband immediately reiterated the severity of my allergy and shared that I had been rushed to the emergency room in May due to a reaction to peanuts. It was only after his intervention that the staff proposed a temporary solution: removing passengers from three rows in front and behind me and offering free drinks to those across the aisle if they refrained from consuming nuts.
While this makeshift solution provided some relief, it was not implemented until after considerable stress and persistence on our part. The initial lack of support and understanding from the cabin crew was deeply troubling. Airlines have a duty of care to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers, and it was disheartening to see such an important issue being handled so inadequately.
Additionally, due to the way the situation was handled by the staff, other passengers began making remarks and rolling their eyes, making me feel as if I were in the wrong for prioritizing my health. This added to the distress of the situation and was entirely avoidable with proper handling and communication from the airline staff.
As a result of this incident, we decided not to inform anyone about my severe nut allergy on our return flight from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to Belleville, Illinois. I spent the entire flight praying that I would not suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction. This should not be the experience of any passenger with severe allergies. I also wish to highlight the potential dangers of serving food items containing nuts on flights, especially given the confined space and recirculated air in the cabin. The health and safety of passengers with severe allergies should be a top priority, and reconsidering the inclusion of such items could prevent life-threatening situations.
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