Flying with peanut or other food allergies

Many families will ask if is safe to fly with a peanut allergy or other food allergies. The answer is yes, but it’s important to take some basic precautions.

Travelling with a food allergy can be a stressful time, whether it is a child, teenager, or adult. However, with proper preparation, you can still have a great trip.

Can I fly with a food allergy?

While there is a chance of an allergic reaction from contact or airborne exposure, the risk is usually low unless there’s significant exposure. By far the greatest risk comes from ingestion of the food allergen. With proper education, diagnosis and management, people with food allergies should able to lead normal lives, which includes safe travelling.

Although peanut allergies are well-known, any food allergen can cause a reaction.

To help you prepare for your holiday, here is a checklist:

Check the date of your AAIs

Make sure your adrenaline injectors (AAIs) have not expired, and consider bringing extras if you’re going to a remote area. You can sign up for reminder services from the manufacturer.

Keep AAIs at the right temperature

Keep your medication at the right temperature using special bags, as recommended in the instructions.

Travel documentation for AAIs in advance

Get travel documentation for your adrenaline injectors from the manufacturer’s website. If you have liquid antihistamines, ensure your paperwork allows for their transport. The medication label should be applied to the bottle, as opposed to the box containing the medication. If travelling with hypoallergenic milk formulae, you may wish to obtain a ltter giving approval for this, as if confiscated, this can be very stressful if difficult to replace.

Allergy Action Plan

Bring an Allergy Action Plan so you and others know what to do in an emergency – keep this in your hand luggage as you may need to show it at the gate.

Emergency contacts

Carry a list of emergency contacts of the country your visiting, including the nearest hospital, emergency services (remember this likely won’t be 999), and your insurance details.

Knowing key details about where you will be staying

Additionally, ensure you know the address of your accommodation; this is especially important if you are in a large complex. Be aware of your geolocation if out and about, especially if you are in a remote area, there are apps that can facilitate communication your exact location.

Update mobile phone’s medical ID

Update the medical ID on your phone to include your allergy details and emergency contacts.  You may wish to wear medical alert jewellery.

Use translation cards

Take translation cards with you that explain your allergies in the local language. These can be used in restaurants or in case of an emergency. (Allergy UK offers these.)

Summary:

The main rule is to avoid eating foods you’re allergic to. While there’s a small risk of a reaction from contact or airborne exposure, this is usually low unless you’re exposed to large amounts. Many patients with a rigorous diagnosis of a food allergy would have undergone skin prick testing with the allergen highlighting that skin contact with the concentrated allergen, for most, would be tolerated. The risk of nut protein becoming airborne is very low, milk and fish protein more easily become airborne but a significant exposure is typically required before symptoms would be experienced. Modern aircraft filters will rapidly clear airborne allergen.

Tips for flying with a peanut allergy or other food allergies

• Clean your seat to ensure that there are no loose nuts or relevant allergen lying about: Use alcohol wipes to clean your seat and tray table before boarding.
• Early boarding: If you can, board early and ask nearby passengers not to eat foods you’re allergic to.
• If possible, bring your own food: It’s safest to bring your own meals, especially on short flights, to avoid allergens in airplane food.
• Keep medications on you: Always carry your Allergy Action Plan and associated emergency medications and be ready to use them if needed.
• Check airline policies: Review the airline’s allergy policies before booking.

Think about the timing of your flight:

• Morning flights: Planes are usually deep cleaned overnight, so the first flight of the day might have fewer allergens.
• Evening flights: If you’re allergic to milk or eggs, flying in the evening might reduce the presence of these allergens.
• Arrive early: Give yourself extra time to confirm your seating and early boarding.
• Keep medication in carry-on: Make sure your medications (AAIs – e.g., EpiPens or Jext) are in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage.
• Bring documentation: Carry a plan and documents that explain your need for medications. Make sure everything is labelled with your name, and be prepared to show a letter if you’re bringing safe foods, especially liquids.

If a reaction occurs, is important to use your adrenaline device (for example, Epi-Pens or Jext) as per your Allergy Action Plan, make sure the person is lying down, and be ready to administer a second dose after 5 minutes if needed. The second dose must always be administered into the opposite thigh to the first.

Allergy charity organisations like Allergy UK and Anaphylaxis UK offer helpful advice on traveling with allergies, including translation cards available on Allergy UK’s website.

About us

At the Allergy Centre of Excellence, we focus on providing personalised care to each child, young person, and their family. Our team is led by three world-renowned specialists in Paediatric Allergy, supported by skilled clinicians and a dedicated patient services team, to offer full support at every step.

Helpful links:

• Allergy Translation cards | Allergy UK
• Travelling with serious allergies | Anaphylaxis UK
• Who we are