Flying with Food Allergies

So I had this blog post all ready to go before our trip, but then I just couldn't post it before knowing how the trip went. Our kid with food allergies was flying for the first time and stress level was extremely high. For us. Not for her. Her excitement level to ride on an airplane was off the scale and she was definitely not thinking about anaphylaxis on the plane. There’s a lot of advice online about flying with food allergies, but here are the main points:

1. Have your medications with you at all times and carry safe snacks. 

 

Pretty good advice for everywhere in life.

2. Call the airline before and explain your food allergies and ask if you can- preboard to wipe down the seat and tray table and see if they can create an allergen free “buffer zone” around your row. 

 

Another important tip? The wipe needs to be bleach or alcohol based because a regular baby wipe was found to not be effective in wiping down hard surfaces to fully remove all traces of peanut.

3. They also suggest avoid using airline pillows and blanket. 

 

Yeah, that sounds like good idea even without allergies.

So, how did it go? Well, I am happy to report while we had our epinephrine with us at all times, we did not need it! We didn't end up calling ahead, just talking to the attendants at the baggage checking area. They printed us a special boarding pass that allowed us to preboard. It took a few clorox wipes to sufficiently wipe down the seat and the tray and the seat belt and the arm rests and everything I thought she would touch. She unfortunately did not want to wear her mask on the plane which made me nervous, but that was probably a lot of ask of a three year old. I also tried to get her to eat her snack before boarding, but she still wanted to eat on the plane. Snacking really is the best way to pass travel boredom so I can't blame her.

The news right before we left was all about how peanut butter wasn't allowed through security anymore and everyone was joking about how peanut butter could be considered a "liquid." But you know what? Why are people bringing jars of peanut butter on a plane anyway?! You never know who you could be sitting next to. Save your death jar for after the flight. It can wait a few hours.

Liquid? Solid? It's poison! It doesn't matter!

All in all, flying with a three year old is a stressful experience, with or without allergies. At least our airline made some accommodations to keep her safe.