On a normal day, flying can be a complicated and stressful experience. You need to remember to bring all your travel documents, get there early and make sure you dash to the right gate.
Once on board though, you can sit back and relax and enjoy the snacks and plane food that is eventually wheeled down the aisle and passed out on little plastic trays. But for those with allergies and dietary restrictions, the struggle can continue.
One mum who suffers from coeliac disease recently shared with The Mirror how a mix-up over the rules meant that she was faced with a “pitful” meal made up of junk snacks instead of a proper gluten-free one. But what are the rules for airlines on flying with dietary requirements?
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Allergy UK advises that those flying with allergies should prepare for the trip as soon as possible. People should make sure that they communicate with others as well as providers such as airlines and hotels about any allergies or restrictions, to be as well prepared as possible.
One of the easiest ways to be prepared is to bring your own meal. Many airlines, including those listed below, will allow you to bring food from within the airport onto the plane.
That means you can make the most of the options on the ground that passengers are sure are allergy safe. However, make sure that you eat it or dispose of it before getting off the plane as there are restrictions on bringing certain foods into other countries.
Here, we have a look at the policies for different airlines for flying with allergies and restrictions. As always, if you are concerned about flying, contact the airline as soon as possible to see what they can do.
Ryanair
One of the top budget airlines, Ryanair doesn’t offer in-flight meals to everyone as part of their trips. Instead, passengers are required to purchase their meals from the trolley brought around by the cabin crew and the menu is available to view online before departure.
Travellers with a nut allergy are asked to inform cabin crew when boarding the flight and a public address will be made to all other fliers advising that no products containing nuts will be sold onboard. Ryanair adds that while other customers are asked not to open peanut products on board, it cannot guarantee a peanut-free aircraft.
British Airways
British Airways says that they cannot guarantee “an environment completely free from allergens, allergens and traces of allergens may be present in our meals”. Its website states that information on allergies should be communicated to the cabin crew upon boarding.
However, those who require a “special meal” are able to book this in advance before travel. Passengers can request the following special meals at least 24 hours before departure (Kosher meals should be requested at least 48 hours before departure). Travellers can make this request via the “Manage My Booking” portal.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarian
Vegan vegetarian
Asian vegetarian
Hindu
Halal
Jain
Kosher
Child meals suitable for two- to 12-year-olds
Diabetic
Gluten intolerant
Low calorie
Low fat
Low salt
Low lactose
easyJet
Similar to Ryanair, as easyJet usually only offers short-haul flights, often an in-flight meal is not offered. Instead, a trolley of snacks is brought around to passengers.
The airline while it will do all it can to help, it cannot guarantee a nut or allergen-free environment. However, passengers with a nut allergy are able to inform easyJet of this prior to flying by selecting “I have a nut allergy” in the special assistance menu in the booking portal. This information will be added to your booking and the ground and cabin crews will be made aware.
The airline further adds that on the day of travel, inform the cabin manager and cabin crew of the allergy and an announcement will be made. There will be no nut products sold on board however they cannot guarantee a nut or allergen-free flight.
Jet2.com
Jet2.com no longer serves nut-based products on its flight at all, however, as passengers are well within their rights to bring food from the airport on board the plane, it cannot guarantee that there will be a nut-free flight. If cabin crew are made aware when boarding, an announcement can be made to the plane to make other travellers aware and ask them not to eat any nut-based food during the flight.
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