In her experience, airlines had stopped serving nuts years ago – pretzels were the norm now – so she didn’t think to contact Air Canada in advance.

But 10 minutes after takeoff, Humphreys’ tropical vacation became an allergy nightmare: Thousands of feet in the air and locked in the thin metal tube with nothing but hours of ocean ahead, the flight attendants began handing out packages of cashews – by far Humphreys’ worst allergy.

The 43-year-old knew she had to speak up, so she tapped one of the flight attendants on the elbow and explained that she was extremely concerned about the possibility of a serious reaction.

“The flight attendant was nasty. She said, ‘Well, we just can’t take care of everybody,’” recounts Humphreys. The crew continued to dole out the nuts. “So I had to bide my time and hope that nothing happened.”

Luckily, nothing did. But Humphreys and her husband spent much of their vacation trying to figure out how to get Paige home safely. Air Canada told them, as they do all allergic travelers, that it would be “unfair to other passengers” to withhold nuts, and that it was the couple’s responsibility to “bring the proper medication and to have the proper protection.”

Problem was, the “proper protection” included not being surrounded by people eating cashews. Humphreys began looking into other options. “But the other airlines serve nuts, too,” she says. So I thought, ‘I’m no better there – and I would be alone, too.’”

When it comes to nerve-wracking and sometimes dangerous experiences of flying with food or environmental allergies, Humphreys is definitely not alone. In the past decade, allergies themselves have taken off: roughly one million Canadians and 11 million Americans now have food allergies, and approximately 23 million North Americans have asthma.

Still, airlines have not adapted to this new reality. Few have clearly defined policies and procedures in place for allergic passengers, and they continue to serve some of the most highly allergenic foods, including nuts, sesame, fish and shellfish. Some even still hand out peanuts, the most prevalent trigger of serious reactions.

But many allergy sufferers and parents of allergic kids think it’s high time airlines made the skies safer for the millions of travelers with allergies. Dozens have filed formal complaints with airline regulators such as the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Canadian Transportation Agency.

WestJet, however, remains cautious in what it tells passengers. “It should be noted that we cannot confirm all of our snacks are free of trace amounts of peanut or nut products,” a WestJet spokesperson told Allergic Living. While WestJet won’t serve any nuts or peanuts, other travellers are free to bring them on board.

Still, an optimistic Rousseau is asking people to contact the airline: “We need to encourage WestJet to keep the policy, and let them know the positive impact it has. And maybe other airlines will follow suit.” To provide feedback, write to Lorne MacKenzie, lmackenzie@westjet.com.

First published in Allergic Living magazine, Summer 2008
(c) Copyright AGW Publishing Inc.

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In 2002, we took our first summer vacation in Europe with two children. Kieryn was not yet 3 years old and Taya had just turned one. We flew into Toulouse in the south of France and rented a car for what should have been a simple two-hour drive on the motorway to our villa near Perpignan.

We were barely onto the motorway when Kieryn called out: “I have to go pee!” Fortunately the French have a lot of rest stops, and we pulled over briefly. Back on the motorway, we’d only driven 15 minutes more when Kieryn again had to go.

She was toilet training, and we were trying to encourage that, so I pulled over at the next rest stop. Back under way and, you guessed it, 15 minutes later, Kieryn “had to pee”. I was a bit frustrated, but once more pulled over.

While my wife Keely and Kieryn were in the bathroom, Taya, our younger daughter, woke up crying; she’d soiled her diaper and it had leaked right up her back. I got her out and began cleaning up the mess. Keely returned to help, first giving Kieryn some bread with cream cheese to keep her occupied. We had Taya cleaned up and dressed when I noticed Kieryn had just spread the cream cheese all over the front seat.

At this point I lost it, asking Keely, whose bright idea was it to go on vacation to Europe with two small children. She calmly pointed out that it was all mine, to which I replied, “That’s why I married you, so you’d talk me out of these crazy ideas.”

Traveling with children, even without food allergies can be challenging, but it is also highly rewarding. Despite that rough start, we had a great first trip with two kids, and we find that enjoying new experiences as a family can be uplifting.

It does, however, take careful planning to travel with children with life-threatening food allergies. The good news is that our food requirements are complicated – so if we can do it, you can, too. Taya has multiple allergies, including peanuts, nuts, sesame and kiwi. Keely and I are vegetarians, and Keely is allergic to eggs. As well, I have allergies to dust and cats.

Our fundamental approach explains the “Have Kitchen” title of this series: we always stay in places with a kitchen, and prepare as many of our own meals as humanly possible. Not only does this keep us safe, it also saves money, especially in Europe where eating out can be expensive.

City or Countryside?

Europe has a wonderful selection of self-catered villas and apartments for rent, usually for a minimum of one week. While many people think villa vacations are for the wealthy, in fact, there are villas in every price range. Sharing these acommodations with family or friends makes them even more affordable.

If you want to spend your time sightseeing at museums, churches and landmarks, then look for an apartment in a city. If you want to spend it relaxing in the country or at the seaside, then there are lots of villas to choose from as well. For the best of both worlds, consider one week in a city and one in the country. (Remember that if you are renting outside a city, you will need to rent a car to get around for sightseeing day trips and for groceries.)

The Internet is a great source for finding villas. If you can travel outside of high season, you’ll find the best selection and prices. It’s possible to rent directly from an owner, but I recommend that first-time renters book through an agent. Check that the agent has seen the properties recently, and have a list of questions ready to ensure you get a villa that suits your family.

Our European Trips

England/Ireland – England is the most accessible of the European countries for English speakers, and what better way to experience it than to stay in an historic building. The Landmark Trust is a charity that rescues heritage buildings and gives them new life as places to stay. There are 185 “Landmarks,” including forts, manor houses, mills, cottages, castles, follies, gatehouses and towers (www.landmarktrust.org.uk).

We stayed in a 17th century house called Shelwick Court near Hereford, with beautiful countryside. The Irish Landmark Trust is a similar organization with properties throughout Ireland (www.irishlandmark.com/home/self-catering-ireland.html). You can also rent apartments in London and other major cities in the U.K.

Next: France, Spain, Italy

Before you fly:

• Call the airline and ask about their allergy policy before you book your ticket. You don’t want to find out by surprise that peanut satay is being served on your flight to Hong Kong.
• Look at the airline’s website or call customer service to find out what foods are served or sold on board.
• When you book, make sure to tell the reservations or travel agent about your allergies, and what specific accommodations you need.
• Book a flight that’s earlier in the day, because the planes get cleaned overnight, and there is less likelihood nut snacks will be consumed in the morning. This means less chance of encountering the allergen on seats and in seat pockets, etc.
• Book direct flights if possible, so you’re not dealing with multiple planes and flight crews.
• Bring your auto-injectors and/or asthma medications with you onto the plane (do not check them). Security may require that these medications show a prescription label in the name of the patient/traveler.
• It’s wise to carry an official doctor’s note stating that the medication is required for severe allergies or asthma. See sample notes here.

When you fly:

• Tell everyone you deal with – the check-in agent, the staff at the gate, the flight attendants – about your child’s or your allergies. Even if the booking agent said you will be accommodated, play it safe and make sure everyone knows.
• Arrive at the gate early and talk to the staff before they’re too busy. Be clear, calm and polite.
• If concerned about contact with allergen residue from previous passengers, ask to pre-board and wipe down the seats, tray tables and armrests. You can also cover the seat with a blanket or a seat cover. Bring wipes to wash your hands.
• Bring your own food. Don’t eat meals prepared by the airline’s caterers, even if a flight attendant tells you there are no nuts or other allergens. You don’t know if there has been cross-contamination in the preparation. Bring extra food in case of delays.
• Keep medication with you; do not store it in the overhead bin.
• If someone near you is eating a food that is dangerous to you, politely explain your situation and ask if they would be willing to stop. If they are, say thanks and offer to buy them some food that is safe.
• Keep your hands out of your eyes and mouth.
• Have a plan for what happens if you react.
• If you are reacting to something, tell the flight crew. It is important that they know about your condition.

After you fly:

• If you had a good experience, make sure to thank the flight crew for their efforts, and tell them you’ll definitely fly with the airline again. Write a letter to the airline (copying the company president), expressing your appreciation, and noting that you will certainly travel with the company again and will encourage others to do so.
• If you have an unpleasant experience, write to the airline and politely explain what happened. Tell them that you and your family will think twice before flying with the carrier again. Also include information about what could have made your flight better.
• You can also lodge a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation or the Canadian Transportation Agency.
  

First published in Allergic Living magazine.
To subscribe, click here.

See Also:

• Flying Allergic by Jennifer Van Evra
• Scott McKenzie’s Rules for traveling with food allergies
• Travel Guide 1 -Have Kitchen, Will Travel
• Travel Guide 2 - Off to Europe
• Flying With Food Allergies – Allergic Living’s Essential Tips

© Copyright AGW Publishing Inc.

In making its decision, the Canadian Transportation Agency weighed the recommendations made by Toronto allergists Dr. Gordon Sussman (advising the agency) and Dr. Peter Vadas (advising Air Canada), as well as the two complainants and Air Canada. Following are the key findings of the CTA’s ruling.

When is Allergy “Disability”

To determine if there is an “obstacle to mobility for disabled persons,” the transportation agency first determines if there is a disability.

In 2002, the CTA examined seven allergy complaints against Air Canada (five involved allergies to cats in the cabin, the other two were scent-related). The agency ruled that allergies per se are not always disability, but might be found such on a case-by-case basis.

When Sophia Huyer and the mother of Melanie Nugent formally complained about experiences flying with peanut and nut allergies on Air Canada, the CTA chose to examine whether their complaints fit the disability description on this case-by-case basis. It ruled that they did.

But it further ruled, based on expert testimony, that other persons with nut and peanut allergies similarly qualified as having disability.

The Ruling

Formal Policy

In the Huyer-Nugent ruling, the agency found that both complainants were offered a measure of accommodation by Air Canada – in each case, moving to other seats. But the agency was concerned about Air Canada’s ad hoc treatment, and the lack of formal policy addressing the needs of travelers with nut and peanut allergies.

The CTA found this amounts to an obstacle to mobility for those with these particular allergies.

“The agency is of the opinion that in making their travel plans, persons with disabilities are entitled to the same certainty that other people enjoy of being able to travel as scheduled,” it wrote.

Peanut/Nut Allergies and “Disability”

Both Dr. Sussman and Dr. Vadas noted there were nine top allergenic foods in Canada. Dr. Vadas said that peanuts, tree nuts and shellfish were responsible for “the majority of near-fatal and fatal anaphylactic reactions.” Both experts confirmed that allergic reactions could result from minute exposures to nut/peanut allergens.

Nut-free Zones, Announcements

One of Dr. Sussman’s recommendations was simply not to serve nuts, but he agreed that it’s impossible to create an allergen-free environment.

Instead, the CTA opted for a “buffer zone” approach. Its ruling says: “a buffer zone is the appropriate accommodation for persons with disabilities due to their allergy to peanuts or nuts.”

It directs Air Canada not to serve nuts or peanuts in that area, and says a flight crew member would need to advise other passengers in the “zone” rows not to consume foods that contain peanuts or tree nuts. The agency leaves it to Air Canada to recommend the size of the zone.

Next Page: Plane Announcements, Auto-Injectors, Pet Allergies