7/3/2026 Our experience with Turkish Airlines was one of the most stressful and traumatic travel experiences our family has ever endured while traveling with a young child who has life-threatening food allergies.
At the airport, our concerns were not taken seriously. We were made to feel as though we were overreacting, despite our child having a documented history of anaphylaxis requiring epinephrine.
During the flight, no allergy announcement was made, passengers seated around us freely consumed nuts, and no meaningful precautions were taken to reduce the risk.
One week before our flight, I contacted Turkish Airlines to notify them about my child’s life-threatening food allergies. I was told that the airline had recently changed its policy and that advance notification no longer affects onboard nut distribution. Packaged hazelnuts are now handed out to every passenger in Economy Class, regardless of whether a severe food allergy has been reported.
In Business Class, passengers are served warm bowls of mixed nuts, creating an even greater risk of allergen exposure for those with severe food allergies. Instead of moving toward more allergy-friendly practices, Turkish Airlines has taken a significant step backward.
For families like ours, this is not a matter of convenience—it is a matter of safety. A severe allergic reaction at 35,000 feet is a medical emergency. Simple measures such as allergy awareness, crew training, clear communication, and reasonable accommodations can make an enormous difference.
Sadly, we no longer consider Turkish Airlines a safe airline for passengers with life-threatening food allergies, and I sincerely hope the airline reconsiders its current policy.
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