London Woman Alleges Flight Attendant Ignored Severe Walnut Allergy Request

Faye Jawad, a 29-year-old social media executive from London, claims that a flight attendant on a Portugal-bound flight refused to accommodate her severe nut allergy. Jawad's request to not serve nuts on the plane was met with a firm refusal, leaving her feeling panicked and distressed.

Why this matters: This incident highlights the importance of airlines prioritizing passenger safety and accommodating severe allergies. Failure to do so can have serious consequences, including anaphylaxis and even death, and can lead to a loss of trust in the airline industry.

Jawad asked the flight attendant to make an announcement to other passengers about her allergy and to avoid serving nuts on the flight. However, the attendant told her that she should have informed the airline in advance and that without prior notice, they could not accommodate her request. This response contradicted Jawad's experience, as she had flown with the same airline just two days earlier without informing them in advance and had no issues with the family.

'I have a nut allergy and every time I get on the plane, I have to go up to the cabin crew when I board and say, 'Hi, I'm allergic to nuts, please can you not serve any nuts on the plane?'' Jawad explained.

Despite Jawad's pleas, the flight attendant refused to make an announcement or accommodate her request. Jawad was left feeling unsafe and anxious throughout the flight. 'She was so rude and all I want to do is not die on the plane,' Jawad said.

This incident is not isolated. There have been several instances where airlines failed to accommodate passengers with nut allergies. For example, a family was removed from a SunExpress flight from London to Turkey after informing staff and fellow passengers about a peanut allergy. The airline claimed they could not guarantee an allergy-free environment and accused the family of aggressive behavior, which the family denied.

The issue of nut allergies on flights has attracted attention, with many calling for clearer policies and better accommodation. Major airlines have varying policies regarding nut allergies. For instance, British Airways and EasyJet do not serve nuts and will make announcements if informed. In contrast, Ryanair and Jet2 do not make announcements and recommend passengers bring their own allergy control medicine.

Jawad's experience highlights the need for airlines to prioritize passenger safety and provide clear guidance on nut allergy handle protocols. As Jawad stated, 'I thought the job of cabin crew was to care about the passengers or at least keep them safe.'

The incident involving Faye Jawad highlights the ongoing challenges faced by passengers with severe allergies. Clearer airline policies and better training for cabin crew could help ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers.

Key Takeaways

• Faye Jawad's request to not serve nuts on a Portugal-bound flight was refused by a flight attendant.
• Jawad has a severe nut allergy and felt panicked and distressed by the refusal.
• Airlines have varying policies on nut allergies, with some making announcements and others not.
• Clearer policies and better training for cabin crew are needed to ensure passenger safety.
• Jawad's experience highlights the importance of prioritizing passenger safety and accommodating severe allergies.