ON 1/19/2025, due to a cancelled British Airways flight, we had to take two connecting flights with American Airlines—one from Austin to Miami and another long-haul from Miami to London.
On our first flight from Austin to Miami, I informed the crew that my son has a severe airborne nut allergy and requested a standard announcement, as every other airline we’ve flown with has done. To my shock, a rude crew member told me they would not make any announcement and that nuts would be served in first class. When I explained that my son could become seriously ill if people around us ate nuts, their response was dismissive: “There’s nothing we can do about that—just use your EpiPen.”
Thankfully, the passengers around us were incredibly kind—many asked us to check their snack ingredients before eating. In contrast, the crew barely acknowledged us. The only communication we received from them was when they told us not to use the toilets because passengers in first class were eating nuts.
Then came the flight from Miami to London—which was even worse.
Again, I informed the crew about my son’s severe allergy. This time, I was told they would not be serving nuts but couldn’t ask other passengers not to eat them. When asked if we had an EpiPen we said of course. When I explained again that using an EpiPen is not a preventative measure and that my son’s life could be at risk, their response was indifference: “I’m afraid it’s not our policy to prevent other passengers consumption of nuts” We were made to feel like a huge inconvenience rather than passengers with a serious medical concern.
But the worst moment came at breakfast.
Despite being assured that nuts would not be served, they handed out granola containing cashews and pistachios. When I immediately raised this issue, a staff member simply admitted, “We shouldn’t have told you we don’t serve nuts, because we do.” I pleaded with them not to serve it, but my concerns were ignored.
For the next two hours, my son and I had to stand at the back of the plane near the drink service area, avoiding exposure. He took antihistamines and covered his nose and mouth with a scarf, while we anxiously waited for everyone else to finish eating. Not a single crew member checked on us, offered us water, or showed any empathy.
This was an incredibly distressing and dangerous experience. American Airlines staff are completely uninformed about severe allergies, lack proper training, and have outdated policies that put lives at risk. Until they take airborne allergies seriously, I will never fly with them again. Someone will have a medical emergency—or worse—if they do not change their approach.
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