Proven Free Checklist For
Flying With a Food Allergy

Peanut allergy travel tips for confident flying! Uncover the strategies for safe and worry-free journeys when dealing with food allergies, particularly peanut and nut allergies. This detailed checklist for air travel with peanut allergies and other food sensitivities offers vital advice consolidated from multiple sources and insights from over 50 years of practical experience.

I. Planning Ahead Is Critical

• If traveling internationally, check to see if FARE travel tips are available.
• If traveling internationally, buy an eSIM for your phone or sign up for in-country cell phone service.
• Know your airline’s policies: Links Below for Airlines Policies for Allergies
  Before booking, review and copy the airline policies for food allergies.
• Check Disability when booking a reservation:If appropriate, use words like ADA qualified, food allergy
• Communicate in advance:
  Contact the airline at least 48 hours before your flight to request accommodations, such as buffer zones or allergen-free zones. Clear communication aligns with tips for flying with food allergies provided by experts and frequent travelers.
• Obtain a doctor’s certificate:
  A certificate will support your request for early boarding or other accommodations.
• Consider booking an early flight:
  Early flights are often cleaned more thoroughly.
• Choose an aisle seat:
  This makes it easier for flight attendants to reach you in an emergency.

II. Packing Essentials

• Bring Benadryl:
  Although Benadryl can help with mild food allergy reactions, such as hives or itching. However, it is important to note that Benadryl is not a treatment for severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis.
• Bring two EpiPens:
  While airlines are required to have EpiPens on board, having your backup is wise. Have them readily available and in an easy-to-find, bright colored case.
• Pack Epipens Separately: Bring two Epipens in two separate carry-ons. If one gets lost you still have the spare. If you have an Apple Phone, put an AirTag with each EpiPen just in case you forget it. Remember, EpiPens may not be available in all countries. See IFAA Tip Sheet for more information about the availability of EpiPens.
• Send EpiPens through the X-ray machine:
  This is generally safer than manual inspection. You must declare them to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection, and it is best if they are in the box with a prescription label.
• Pack disinfectant wipes:
  This step is emphasized in most packing for food allergy travel guides to ensure a safer environment during the flight. Not hand sanitizer it does not remove peanut residue.
• Consider bringing your blanket:
  Avoid using airline-provided pillows and blankets, which may not be cleaned between flights.
• Eat a Large Meal Before and Pack non-perishable food:
  Eat a good meal at home before heading to the airport; bring food and snacks to eat in the airport and on the airplane. Make sure to bring enough food in case of delays and layovers.

III. Boarding and Flying, Especially with Contact and Airborne Allergies

• Wear long sleeves and socks:
  To avoid contact with allergens.
• Request Early Boarding:
  Let the gate agent politely know that you would like to preboard to wipe down surfaces. Early boarding provides time to clean your area—a crucial step in ensuring safety when flying with food allergies.   Ask politely! Remember: “People may comply out of fear when met with aggression, but they cooperate when approached with politeness.”
  It does not hurt to have
  • a signed certificate by your doctor stating the need for you to preboard,
  • a written copy of the airline’s written policy (verify this info)
  • a copy of the Department of Transportation decision (see copy) against American Airlines that was dismissed with American’s decision to revise its pre-boarding policy.
  • Make sure you understand your rights under the American Disability Act. Approach a difficult gate agent as an opportunity to educate them that serious consequences may result.
    Pro Tip: Unfortunately, some airlines’ policies will not allow pre-boarding for severe allergies, and allowing pre-boarding is just out of the control of the gate personnel.
• Communicate with the flight attendant:
  Communicate your allergies, seating arrangements, and where your EpiPens are, and request an early announcement to other passengers or a buffer zone. Be patient and friendly, and with an appreciative approach
• Clean thoroughly:
  Use disinfectant wipes to clean the seat and surrounding area, including the tray table, light switches, armrests, belt buckle, window shade, and call buttons.
  Pro Tip: Never stick your hands in seatback pockets where crumbs, dust, and empty food packages hide. Clean before handling stored emergency booklets and airline magazines.
• Pro Tip: Use disinfectant wipes such as Clorox, not hand sanitizer. 
• Let Passengers See You Cleaning:
  Timing your cleaning efforts with boarding ensures visibility, reinforcing awareness of in-flight safety for food allergy sufferers. Other passengers will see you and realize that you need to take extraordinary efforts to be safe. Seeing is believing when the announcement is made by flight attendants.
  

IV. Dealing with Other Passengers

• Ask politely for consideration:
  If passengers near you plan to consume allergens, calmly explain your condition. Calm is a good practice when navigating social dynamics during air travel with food allergies. Although it is up to them what they decide to do with that information, request that passengers near you avoid eating unsafe foods. You might mention in case of a medical emergency the flight might be diverted and delay the flight’s arrival. Always consider that their medical condition may require them to eat the food they brought on board.
• Bring a small bribe:
  Perhaps if you offer a better snack then theirs that is allergen free, cooperation can be had. Perhaps even a Starbucks gift card bribe may be needed. If all else fails, ask to be relocated.
  

Remember:

• Airlines cannot guarantee a peanut- or tree-nut-free flight.
• Airlines cannot control the behavior of other passengers.

But by following these tips, you can significantly reduce the risk of allergen exposure and enjoy safer, more comfortable travels with food allergies.

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NEXT: Communication is Key!

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Additional Reading/Sources