Peanut allergy - how do they handle on planes these days?

There is a recent NY Times Travel Section article on this with many suggestions on how to handle this difficult situation.

If Delta takes peanut allergy into account, you are fortunate. Other times pilots have made the allergic passenger and family deplane, refusing to transport someone who may have a medical emergency. The families were put on later flights. Asking could have unexpected consequences.

We are on an aer lingus flight last month and they made an announcement about a passenger with a nut allergy. They asked everyone on the plane to refrain from eating any nuts. No one said anything negative.

I haven't had peanuts given out on a flight for years. It's all about pretzel and savory little crackers these days. Of course it depends on the airline. Now, whether or not the flight crew will request that nobody eats peanuts during the flight, again it depends on the airline.

I'm curious how someone with a peanut allergy being in the vicinity of someone else eating peanuts is affected???
I've never heard anything about this before?

I think they're handled differently on each airline. I have seen peanuts on Southwest recently, for example, and I bring my own nuts to snack on. Can your stepson bring an epipen or have some kind of strategy in case something does happen? I think however well meaning people are, things can slip and the person most at risk should do everything he/she can on their end to stay safe. I would not rely totally on the airline staff.

Remind Delta at the gate. They generally will not offer nuts onboard if they have a nut allergy flyer

No idea about Alitalia sorry

I'd be cautious about informing the airlines. Those with the allergies have been removed from the plane before.

First question is how severe the allergy is. Some people cannot consume, others can have a reaction just being in the vicinity. If mild, just have an Epi pen just in case like you normally would. If severe, discuss with your doctor because a long flight can be dangerous and you cannot guarantee everyone around you will abstain or that some peanut residue was left on a tray table.

And to those that say peanuts aren't served on airlines anymore, Southwest Airlines regularly serves peanuts.

Thanks for the input.

And for those who asked, even being in the vicinity of peanuts when your allergy is severe is problematic. Peanut dust is the issue. Another risk factor is peanut oil on the surfaces of the tray table and armrests if others who sat there ate peanuts.

We will have two epi-pens with us, so we won't rely on the airlines.

I did tell Delta and I see that they've made a notation on our reservation with a medical alert next to my stepson's name. I'm very grateful for that caution.

I was on a Delta flight in Feb., and their new choice of snacks includes honey roasted peanuts. That being said, I have been on Delta flights when they asked everyone to refrain from eating peanuts due to a passenger with peanut allergies.

Scully, you may already plan to do this... I would bring sanitizing wipes to clean the arm rests and tables where you all will be sitting.

I was just going to say what susan has posted . Do NOT trust the surfaces on the plane . Bring and use tons of hand wipes , wipe down everything your stepson could possibly touch ( including touch screen ) do not use the storage pocket in front of you in seat , people often shove their garbage down there(so could be very containmamted )

Bring a mask for him to wear if his allergy is that severe .

And you should bring 3 epi pens , help could be more than an hour away remember !

We will have two epi-pens with us, so we won't rely on the airlines.

A food allergy is considered a hidden disability and should be permitted past airport security after inspection. Manufacturer suggestion: https://www.epipen.com/en/have-a-plan/traveling

TSA regulations for medications

You may request that your EpiPen® Auto‑Injectors be inspected visually
rather than X‑rayed since the effects of X‑rays on epinephrine are
unknown. Make sure your epinephrine auto-injectors and medications are
clearly labeled; you may want to write your name on them as well. It's
not necessary, but you may want to also bring a note from your
physician explaining that your EpiPen® Auto‑Injector contains
epinephrine—a medicine for anaphylaxis.

With Alitalia you are supposed to inform them when you reserve the flight. Whether your call to Delta covers that or not is unclear, especially if they don't pass the information on.

I was on a domestic flight a couple of years ago, during which I dropped an object down behind the window-side armrest. As the plane was unloading, I had to get down on the floor to retrieve the object, and while doing so, noted the large number of peanuts (and other trash) scattered on the floor under the seat. I could see the same under the other adjacent rows, concluding that the quick between flight cleanings never get that far. The point being that there can be peanuts around whether they are served during the flight or not.

Just because peanuts are not served on a flight does not mean they are not there. I often bring nut bars with me that may contain peanuts. I would refrain from eating one if a person with an allergy was next to me.