Northwest Swaps Pretzels For Peanuts, Despite Allergy Concerns

Northwest Airlines recently announced it will hand out peanuts instead of pretzels on their flights, a move that mimics the policies of its new owner Delta Air Lines, but also has many flyers concerned about allergies.

The StarTribune.com is reporting that Northwest is handing out the peanuts in accordance with Delta's snack policies. The two airlines recently merged and Northwest is in the process of being transferred to the Delta name.

According to the article, the peanut policy will stick thanks to Delta's strong affiliation with local businesses in its Atlanta hub.

"Delta is an Atlanta company, and Georgia is an important producer of peanut products, therefore their policy supports their home state," the company said in a letter obtained by the StarTribune.

No airline can guarantee an allergy-safe flight or control what food other passengers bring on board the aircraft, but traveler's with allergies can take precautions before boarding if they're worried about peanut allergies in the air.

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (foodallergy.org) recommends travelers with peanut allergies talk to the airlines ahead of travel.

Some airlines may make the following accomodations:

-- Serve a peanut-free snack if requested in advance (Southwest)
-- Provide a “peanut buffer zone” around the passenger by not serving peanuts in the passenger’s row of seats and in nearby rows (Delta, Northwest)
-- Make an announcement on board the plane and/or at the gate area before boarding asking all passengers to refrain from eating peanut products for the duration of the flight (JetBlue)

According to the FAAN, the following domestic airlines do not serve individual packages of peanuts in coach class:

Air Canada, Air Tran, American, Continental, Frontier, JetBlue, Midwest, United, US Airways. Some airlines, such as American, may serve peanuts or nuts in first class or business class.

Some airlines, such as Frontier, sell snack items (e.g., trail mix, candy bars) in coach class that contain peanuts as an ingredient and/or snack items that include a “may contain” advisory warning on the label.

© Cheapflights Ltd Melanie Nayer

Comments

[PA]

ADA Amendment Act of 2009 - Eating and Breathing are considered major life activities... I patiently await the ADA complaints from airline staff and passengers who have peanut allergies and forced to be subjected to the nuts since reaction can occur from ingestion, inhalation, and contact. Very stupid food choice to be serving.

[CJ]

Eating is a major life activity and I eat peanuts and peanut butter. If you're allergic to them and the airline serves them choose another airline. If you are allergic and work on an airplane that serves peanuts, find another job. I don't see how a minority group should hold the rest of society hostage. I'm allergic to wool, southern oaks and pet dander. I don't demand the elimination of pets, oak trees and I don't demand people remove wool from my presence. I'm surprised anti-peanuttists haven't demanded Peanut Butter & peanuts be removed from grocers' shelves. Can Anti-peanuttists walk down those store aisles or do they have to stay three to four aisles away? If so, perhaps it's Darwin's way of saying you shouldn't be here.

[Robert Plant]

I've never heard of a child turning blue from wool, southern oaks or pet dander. This sounds like a very bad comparison.

Anyone who thinks they should eat peanuts "because they can, and noone can stop them" even though someone could go into anaphylactic shock is acting like a third grader.

Darwin will probably catch a person like this when they are driving 95 miles per hour because they feel they have the ability to do so and noone should be able to tell them otherwise.

[lauren]

until you have a child that could die from a peanut, you will never understand. if you do not have children yet - your annoyances having to deal with peanuts not being served - what a joy would that emotion be over dealing with the daily fear of food. my little girl could die from peanuts along with millions of others. no one has ever died from tree pollen.

i hate this allergy, but i am proud of have my eyes opened. i am more compassionate and understanding of others and their struggles and a realize how i never ever want to be intolerant and selfish again.

[Nancy]

CJ - first off - I pray that you never have to walk a mile in our moccasins but then again, I do- because when you have to witness a child almost dying helplessly from that allergen - your whole perspective on life changes. Remember - this child did not ask for this to happen to him/her and doesn't need the additional burden of "ignorant" people like you who just make them feel worse about themselves because of their food allergies. Is your whole world really going to stop because you can't have your little bag of peanuts for a few hours? Here's a solution - Eat them before you get on the flight?

[Nicola]

CJ, your comments are completely unbelievable. I have a life threatening peanut allergy. Yes, I can walk down supermarket aisles. However the air on a flight is recycled continuously as most people know. If peanuts are consumed by several passengers throughout the flight, peanut will build up in the atmosphere, which can, and has, caused allergy sufferers to go into anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. In any other circumstance, you can open a window or door for fresh air, or indeed leave, as to not 'bother' other people. However this is NOT possible on a flight, and bear in mind medical attention is most probably at least an hour away. I sincerely hope that if you or any of your family get sick or injured, nobody points out that this is just nature picking off the weakest. Perhaps if you feel so strongly about having to travel with the weaker of society you may consider getting a better job so you can afford to NOT looking on cheap flights.com and go 1st class on arsehole airways. I sincerely hope you enjoy your peanuts tonight and dearly hope you don't choke on them CJ

[Ana]

I am currently looking for flights for my family for vacation. It is really a hassle. I have a son who has a life-threatening allergy to peanuts. Like any other parent, I do not want anything to happen to him but he has a right to live a normal life. He has a right to go on an airplane and be safe. I don't understand why it is such a big deal to be allowed to eat peanuts on a plane. Have a jar before and after or become a peanut farmer if you want. Some people are allergic to peanuts and others are just IGNORANT.