I have an extremely sensitive (airborne reaction) peanut allergy and have taken over 100 flights during my life with it. I’ve flown with many airlines that have only ever done the bare minimum for my safety (small buffer zones, not serving peanuts but allowing passengers to eat their own). I’ve had a few bad experiences (allergic reaction on plane, cabin crew refusing to accommodate) that made flying absolutely terrifying for me. But once I started flying with Delta Airlines, I’ve regained my sense of security. Now, I refuse to fly with any other airline.
I was flying with my family from Las Vegas to New York JFK on a Delta flight on 7/17/2021. As always, I noted when I purchased the ticket online that I had a peanut allergy so the cabin crew could prepare for my arrival. At the gate, I spoke to the agent to pre-board to wipe down my seat and was allowed to do so. So, when the time came, I pre-boarded, spoke to the amazing cabin crew to let them know I’m the passenger with the peanut allergy (to which they asked if almonds are okay to serve, I said yes because I’m not allergic), wiped down my seat and patiently waited for my family to board. After taking off, the cabin crew made an announcement asking passengers to refrain from eating any peanut products they may have brought aboard because there is a passenger with a peanut allergy on the flight. At that point, my mind was at ease, and I was ready to relax and enjoy my flight.
About 3 hours into the flight, the captain announced that we were being diverted to Detroit because there were severe thunderstorms at JFK. At this point, I was afraid I would be out on another flight that had not prepared for my peanut allergy, or worse, another airline. Usually I only fly with Delta now because they are the only airline that has consistently had great accommodating policies for passengers with peanut allergies. The idea of being put on another airline that did not handle them this seriously was terrifying. So, I decided to do what any social media-adept young adult would do: I tweeted @Delta airlines asking what would happen if I needed to take another flight. They responded within 5 minutes saying that if I needed to take another (Delta) flight, my peanut allergy ticket would be transferred to it, and if I needed more assistance with flight options that I should DM them. This was very reassuring!
We landed in Detroit, and they eventually asked us to exit the aircraft and wait at the gate area. Many people used this time to stop by the little shops to buy more snacks for the remaining hour and a half flight. Much later, after getting a new Captain and First Officer due to time issues, we boarded the plane once again, welcomed by the same cabin crew as before. When boarding, I spoke to the same crew member I had prior reminding her that I have the peanut allergy, and she told me that she will make another announcement asking the passengers not to eat peanuts on the flight. Once the announcement made, the flight went great and we landed in JFK safely, although much, much later than we anticipated.
I’ve lost count of how many flights I have taken with Delta, but it’s a lot. And I honestly cannot remember a single time that they gave my family and I a hard time about my allergies or wanted to refuse to accommodate.
So, my recommendation to you, as a frequent flyer with a severe airborne peanut allergy, is to fly Delta, and include the peanut allergy on the ticket at purchase. None of the other airlines I’ve flown with have ever been as accommodating as Delta.
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