A British couple, Ms Pretoria Drever and Mr Rhonan Kelly, say they were obliged to disembark from a flight operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) at Edinburgh Airport (EDI), Edinburgh, on 25 October, cabin-crew ignored their severe nut and peanut allergies, reported the Mirror.
Their holiday—a two-night break in Amsterdam booked for celebrating Mr. Kelly’s 25th birthday—was cancelled when the airline allegedly declined to either of the following:
- Halt service of almond-topped baked goods
- Make a cabin announcement soliciting nut-free consumption
The couple claim they had no feasible option but to leave the aircraft because their airborne allergy risk made flight survival uncertain, claiming that had they continued with the flight, they might have even lost their lives. According to The Scottish Sun, the trip was worth £700.
The British Couple’s Statement vs KLM’s Onboard Allergy Policy
Pretoria and Rhonan say they alerted KLM about the allergy in advance via its online form. In order to bolster their case, they had even arrived two hours early. Despite this, once onboard they were advised by the cabin manager that nut-containing snacks would still be distributed and that no announcement would be made:
“Even the menu for that day was meant to be a cookie but when we got on the plane it was a banana loaf with almonds and nuts on it. The manager on the plane was saying ‘we’re not going to stop selling [nut products]. We spoke to KLM Amsterdam and they’ve told us to go ahead with selling the nut products and they can’t put an announcement out’
KLM states that the airline nonetheless cannot guarantee a peanut-free or nut-free environment onboard. The carrier claims on its website that its meals do not contain whole or ground peanuts or peanut paste. Here is a sketch of the carrier’s instructions on possibilities of passengers with food allergies:
| Allergy Type / Concern | Policy / Information | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten or Lactose Allergy | KLM has processes in place to minimize the risk of gluten or lactose contamination. | The airline cannot guarantee that meals are 100% gluten-free or lactose-free. |
| Severe Food Allergies (General) | Passengers with severe allergies are advised to carry their allergy medication in hand baggage. | Passengers may bring their own meal, but KLM cannot heat it due to safety regulations. |
| Peanut Allergy | KLM meals do not contain whole or ground peanuts or peanut paste. | The airline cannot guarantee that flights are completely peanut-free. When serving mixed-nut snacks, no alternative is available. |
According to the KLM’s statement quoted in sources above, it will:
“make an onboard announcement kindly requesting fellow passengers to keep nut-containing products sealed for the duration of the flight”.
adding that it “cannot control or prohibit other passengers from consuming products that may contain nuts” and “unfortunately cannot guarantee a nut-free environment on board”.
In practice, KLM’s policy places much of the responsibility for avoiding an allergic reaction on passengers with severe allergies. According to SnackSafely, the airline’s crew reportedly told the couple that they could remain on board because epinephrine auto-injectors were available. KLM’s current guidance similarly advises passengers with severe allergies to take additional precautions, including carrying an epinephrine auto-injector and other necessary medication.
Kelly, however, reportedly argued that having access to an EpiPen was not an adequate substitute for immediate medical assistance at cruising altitude. She explained that an auto-injector is intended as an emergency measure to administer epinephrine while waiting for professional medical treatment, rather than serving as a complete solution during an in-flight medical emergency.
The couple ultimately felt that they had little support from the airline representatives, who reportedly said they were following instructions from KLM in Amsterdam. Kelly described the experience as frustrating and humiliating, saying they felt trapped because they believed there was little they could do to change the situation.
What Is A Red Eye Flight? The Pros & Cons Of Flying Overnight
What Laws are Applicable in such cases?
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) issued a guidance document “Recommendations for Allergen-Sensitive Passengers” which states that even if a passenger notifies their allergy, airlines “cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment onboard” and other passengers may bring allergens themselves.
The document emphasizes that passengers with severe allergies should take every reasonable precaution to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction and be prepared to manage an emergency if one occurs. Airlines such as KLM must comply with the standards established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), while also following the regulations imposed by the national authorities in the countries where they operate.
However, these requirements can vary considerably between countries. While ICAO sets broad standards for emergency medical preparedness and cabin crew training, individual states determine many of the specific requirements, including the contents of first-aid and emergency medical kits and the scope of crew training.
ICAO standards require airlines to maintain training programs that ensure cabin crew members are familiar with and capable of using the emergency and life-saving equipment carried on board. This effectively includes first-aid training, although the precise skills required and the equipment that must be available can differ depending on the regulations of the relevant national authority.
Top 5: Ways in which US airports are adapting to cater to travelers with accessibility requirements
