We have chosen Continental Airlines because of their ability to get us closest to our destination. I booked our flight on Expedia. My son and I have flown many times on several airlines without ever having a problem asking for a peanut-free flight (a flight that will not pass out peanuts). All of these airlines have made announcements asking the passengers to not eat any peanut products while they are on board due to the close proximity to an allergic child.

I never thought it would be a big deal to ask for a peanut-free flight until I spoke with Continental Airlines. They told me they have a policy in place that prohibits them from changing their food service (which includes peanuts) during a flight. I have called and spoken with two separate customer service agents and they will not bend. They have also said I am not allowed to ask the flight attendants to not serve the nuts.

Had I known that before I booked the flight, we never would have flown Continental.

Now we are stuck because my father’s health is failing daily. I am also involved with the decision process as to his healthcare, and we have several visits set up to look into this. Could you please help us get this information to the public so that others are not put in this position? I cannot understand why an airline cannot simply offer other snacks in the place of peanuts. I don’t think people would be upset by the change.

I was also told by the airline that a peanut allergy is not considered a disability… but as far as being able to attend schools, it is considered a issue which cannot be discriminated against, and the schools must comply for the health of that child. Shouldn’t the same be true for an airline?

Thank you,

Elisa S.

Editor’s Note:When PeterGreenberg.com reached Continental for comment, Continental representative Mary Clark confirmed that the airline does continue to serve peanuts (and does not remove them from flights at passengers’ requests) simply because “we can’t guarantee a peanut-free flight anyway. Even by not serving peanuts or having a ‘peanut-free buffer zone,’ we would still be unable to control what passengers bring onboard, not to mention the possibility of peanut oil in the meals served.”

Indeed, there is no such thing as a peanut-free environment on any airline — especially when factoring in what passengers might bring on board. Our advice: get seats as far away from airline galleys as possible. Have your son wear a cold mask during the flight, and also turn off the overhead air vents above him, since air inside airline cabins is more often than not re-circulated from other locations around the plane.

Got a question for Peter? Send an email to info@PeterGreenberg.com (please include “Ask Peter” in the subject line).

For more on airplane allergy risks, check out Peanut Allergies and Planes.

For more tips on staying healthy while traveling, visit the Health & Fitness section.