Thai airways nuts policy

[jcsydney]

Travelling with Thai next week. We are a group of 6 family including my 4yo Daughter.

She is allergic to various nuts, causing an anaphylactic reaction.

I rang Thai this morning to advise them, that we would like nut free meals to all on our booking. I also asked wether nuts would be handed out on the plane. I was advised that they could not guarantee a nut free environment(something i understand), however they said that they will not stop the distribution of nuts on the plane.

After doing some research other airlines seem to care about reducing its passengers reactions to allergies. However Thai basically told me all they could do is offer her/us nut free meals. There is nothing else they would be willing to do.

I was a bit taken back. After reading that other airlines substituted handing out nuts with pretzels etc.

An allergic reaction does not only happen when ingested, but can also be caused by touching or even inhaling.

Im not sure if im being over the top here with my expectations, i was just expecting a little bit more compassion from the airline than what they have shown. Im sure a mid air emergency for them would be something they would want to avoid.

Am I just expecting too much in trying to take the best precautions for my Daughter, or is it normal to not be happy with their response?

Ta

jc

 

[MrHyde]

Although I don't know anyone with nut allergy, I do know that it is a very serious issue that impacts many people and I can understand your point of view of doing everything in your power to protect your child.

However, I am a bit surprised with the request to not serve any nuts on the whole plane. I did a quick search of Qantas policy as well as Virgin Australia policy, being the two major Australian carriers.

Qantas says that all their menus are peanut free and they do not serve peanuts on board. However, they do serve other nuts including almonds, cashews and macadamias. Source: Peanuts onboard Qantas flights
Qantas will provide special meals to those with nut allergies.

Virgin Australia says they will try and endevour not to sell you any nuts, but they will sell nuts and other nut containing products to other passengers. They also recommend bringing your own meal on board as they won't provide special nut free meals. This is applicable to domestic and short international flights - Anaphylaxis | Virgin Australia

You also need to be aware that peanuts are heavily used in Thai food, so asking an airline not to serve anything with peanuts might be a bit much.

 

[anat0l]

I'm assuming you're all flying Economy class. That is the largest group of passengers on the aircraft, and thus, by numbers, most likely represents the greatest source of threat.

I don't have a nut allergy, so this is a bit tough to discuss on my part. But I think TG has done most of what they can do.

For other carriers, I can't think of many who have completely gotten rid of nuts, and even then they may serve meals with nut traces. Beware that some pretzels may actually be produced on the same equipment that processes nuts! (Same thing with chips or chocolate). Moreover, if other passengers bring on their own nuts, there is not much the airline can do.

Having flown TG, I'm not surprised that they would typically be serving nuts, and probably won't be stopping any time soon (not many Asians have nut allergies; many have no allergies at all, except perhaps lactose), unless forced to do so via legal order. (I know a Canadian court has enforced airlines to create some sort of nut free zone on board, but I really doubt the effectiveness of such an action).

My best bet is that you should be ready with an epipen and try to make sure you pick some seats so that you "surround" your daughter to create as big a nut free zone as you can. And double check your meals to be sure they are really nut free! (Use your judgement - flight attendants will be hopeless to advise or confirm in this regard. You may like to pack some nut-allergy-friendly snacks just in case.)

Yes, probably not the response you wanted, but without affirmative legal action, the best you can do is work around the airlines, or consider a more suitable one.




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[anat0l]

Although I don't know anyone with nut allergy, I do know that it is a very serious issue that impacts many people and I can understand your point of view of doing everything in your power to protect your child.

However, I am a bit surprised with the request to not serve any nuts on the whole plane. I did a quick search of Qantas policy as well as Virgin Australia policy, being the two major Australian carriers.

Qantas says that all their menus are peanut free and they do not serve peanuts on board. However, they do serve other nuts including almonds, cashews and macadamias. Source: Peanuts onboard Qantas flights
Qantas will provide special meals to those with nut allergies.

Virgin Australia says they will try and endevour not to sell you any nuts, but they will sell nuts and other nut containing products to other passengers. They also recommend bringing your own meal on board as they won't provide special nut free meals. This is applicable to domestic and short international flights - Anaphylaxis | Virgin Australia

You also need to be aware that peanuts are heavily used in Thai food, so asking an airline not to serve anything with peanuts might be a bit much.

And in this regard the OP may not be equally happy with either carrier as well, since the OP has said that the allergy is for various nuts, meaning not just (or perhaps, other than) peanuts.



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Aust Freq Fly app: bringing this anat0l content to your mobile.

 

[markis10]

Allergies can only be managed to a certain extent, is it fair that a whole planes catering be dictated by the allergies of one traveller? I don't think it's reasonable for there to be an expectation that everyone change their habits to meet the needs of one traveller, it's all about risk management and travelling with an airline whose national cuisine is nut based, I suspect you will have issues! If inhaling is an issue, I am sure preventative measures can be taken by the individual??

 

[Deewhy]

At least you get the option of a nut free meal. Some other airlines eg Malaysian don't do nut free as satay is a national dish. Also had a bad experience with delta even though they have nut free options.
Took a long haul flight on delta, arranged and confirmed nut free meal for my allergic traveller only to get on the plane and they have no record of the request, nor can they tell me the ingredient list in the food. Turns out one meal is almond French toast! Totally not happy....

Singapore also do nut free very well, but stop short of eliminating nuts from all meals on the plane.

I think you're lucky thai give you the option of a nut free meal but I wouldn't expect them to cut all nuts off the plane. There's nothing stopping anyone bringing their own nuts inboard plus nothing stopping remnants from another flight still being on board. So all I can advise is to take precautions.

 

[jcsydney]

I'm assuming you're all flying Economy class.

Flying in Business class..however not sure that made much of a difference so decided not to mention it.

jc

 

[drron]

We often travel with our surrogate grandchildren.Their father is Malaysian Chinese.daughter number 3 is severely allergic to nuts,eggs,shellfish and has had quite a few meetings with Mr.epipen.she has a few other minor allergies including rice!.
However all that has not stopped her travelling even though no airline has guaranteed being nut free.Emirates refused to supply nut free meals-in J.Parents were told to bring their own food.They were flying straight through to Manchester from BNE so they did not want to take any food that needed refrigeration so asked Emirates if they bought canned food on board could it be reheated.On board of course there was no can opener-the child went hungry.
JAL on the other hand bent over backwards on board.Though on 1 occasion I was sitting next to her and had to turn down the offer of lobster.
However that young lady has now grown into a teenager who doesn't let her allergies get in the way of her enjoying life.Taking precautions she even cooks with eggs making an egg free portion for herself-making sure she uses separate utensils.
So just be aware.Plan what you are going to do.Just remember you will never be able to completely coccoon your child.No one can ever reassure you that your child will never meet the allergen involved.

 

[MrHyde]

With 6 people in Business Class, I would follow the advice provided above to create your own nut free zone. Give the daughter a window seat and seat the other 5 people around her. Also, once on board, let the FAs know about your daughter's condition. You have a better chance of managing this in Business class than in Economy. Still make sure you take an epipen with you and have the necessary papers in case airport security stop you.

 

[haydensydney]

How is flying with nuts in your immediate vicinity any different to any other aspect of life e.g. walking through a supermarket with nuts in bins, the school yard where kids have peanut butter sandwhiches, at a restaurant... I think expecting an airline to not serve nuts is a bit of a stretch, though there was no harm in asking and seeing what their position was.

Are there any precautions that you can take like taking an injection onboard?

 

[repete]

Can only echo the comments of people about being prepared/do best you can etc. which I'm sure the OP is all across. I have only had one international experience travelling with Singapore Air with an anaphylaxis son... Their line was similar in terms of offering nut free meals, but couldn't go nut free for the whole plain. Kids meals like chicken nuggets/sausage rolls etc. seemed ok, plus we carried some food. Interestingly, they came around as soon as we boarded and placed a sticker on my son's headrest to indicate his allergy... Then a couple of mins later a FA walked around and offerred us a packet of nuts!! I gently declined I don't retell that to alarm or knock SA, just to affirm the need to 'take care of self/own family etc'!

 

[jcsydney]

How is flying with nuts in your immediate vicinity any different to any other aspect of life

Well possibly quite the same...the main difference being that if you need help, your not up in the skies...
Yes we will be obviously taking her epipen with us.

Thanks for your input guys.

jc

 

[haydensydney]

PS... Sorry for sounding condescending in my reply - wasn't intentional

 

[anat0l]

Flying in Business class..however not sure that made much of a difference so decided not to mention it.

jc

If you are flying in Business then it could be likely that Thai will offer aperitifs and most likely serve these with something to eat with it. If it isn't a packet of nuts then watch out (read the menu) if it will be something that could contain nuts.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Sorry, not many airlines will commit to not serving nuts on board. The reaction from Thai is completely expected.

 

[NM]

How is flying with nuts in your immediate vicinity any different to any other aspect of life e.g. walking through a supermarket with nuts in bins, the school yard where kids have peanut butter sandwhiches...

My kid's school does not allow anyone to take peanut butter sandwiches into the school grounds. Even muesli bars with peanuts are banned - for the whole school. I expect this is becoming more common at schools. We now have a whole generation of kids growing up without peanut butter sangers at school.

 

[mannej]

My kid's school does not allow anyone to take peanut butter sandwiches into the school grounds. Even muesli bars with peanuts are banned - for the whole school. I expect this is becoming more common at schools. We now have a whole generation of kids growing up without peanut butter sangers at school.

It is for things like this we need a dislike button:-|

 

[JohnK]

Are nuts the only food to cause anaphylactic reaction?

I really do feel sorry for people with these type of allergies but is it really fair that everyone has to go without? Personally I do not care if I do/don't have nuts on a plane but it would be nice if the choice was there.

Oh. Trying to remember the substitute Qantas offered to me the other day. I think it was some sort of rice cracker or the like. Bloody awful and not fit for human consumption....

 

[spudseamus]

Are nuts the only food to cause anaphylactic reaction?

I really do feel sorry for people with these type of allergies but is it really fair that everyone has to go without? Personally I do not care if I do/don't have nuts on a plane but it would be nice if the choice was there.

Oh. Trying to remember the substitute Qantas offered to me the other day. I think it was some sort of rice cracker or the like. Bloody awful and not fit for human consumption....

The Japanese invented the rice cracker as a joke ! gave it to the world and no one got it !! )

 

[MEL_Traveller]

the time to find out the policy of the airline you will be flying with is before you book your tickets. Some airlines will request other passengers refrain from eating nuts when there is someone with an allergy on board, but this is unfair to others who might have competing needs.

We have a diabetic in the family and they need regular snacks. Nuts (including peanuts) are a good way of providing low GI food that doesn't spike insulin levels. They are also easy to carry and don't spoil (and can be opened and resealed easily). While we would be careful if we knew someone had a nut allergy, it is unfair to expect one (elderly) passenger to forego their health for someone else when the latter could have chosen a nut free airline.

health reasons would be a good time to choose a carrier that has a nut free policy.

that being said, in business class the seats are well spaced and hopefully there is less chance of air contamination reaching the affected passenger.