Flying With Food Allergies: My Complete Travel Routine

Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared several updates about the allergy-friendly snacks different airlines are currently serving onboard—some encouraging, and some a reminder that there’s still work to be done.

Following the news of a heartbreaking incident on a Qatar Airways flight, I felt it was important to have a broader conversation with our community about dining safely while flying.

If you haven’t heard about the incident, reports indicate that in 2024, a passenger with food allergies was served a sandwich that was incorrectly labeled. Tragically, they suffered a fatal allergic reaction.

Our hearts are with the family and everyone affected by this unimaginable loss.

While we don’t know every detail surrounding what happened, a tragedy like this is a sobering reminder that an allergic reaction can happen under any circumstance. 

There are unique challenges to flying with food allergies, and there are steps we can take to reduce risk. Today, I want to walk through some of the most important precautions I take before every flight.

You are NEVER eating a prepared in-flight meal

I am no stranger to long flights—flights that span one or even two meal times. It can be challenging for those of us with food allergies, but over the years I've developed a routine that I feel keeps me as safe as possible.

My golden rule is that I never eat the airline's prepared meal, and if you have food allergies, neither should you.

I know many airlines offer special meals for passengers with food allergies or other dietary restrictions, and I appreciate that they make the effort. However, I always bring my own food.

The heartbreaking incident on Qatar Airways is a reminder that even when all signs point to something being safe to eat, mistakes can happen. According to reports, the passenger was told the sandwich was free of their allergens, it was labeled as so, and tragically, it was not.

I think it is also important to make the distinction between prepared in-flight meals and individually packaged snacks.

When I say prepared in-flight meals, I'm talking about the hot breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that come sealed in plastic trays or containers and are heated by the airline before being served.

There are just too many variables when it comes to these meals. You are relying on the correct meal being prepared, labeled, loaded onto the aircraft, and handed to the correct passenger. If you have food allergies, again, you should never eat these meals.

With that said, these are different from an individually packaged snack—something like a MadeGood Granola Bites (served on Delta flights) —that arrives from the manufacturer in its original, unopened packaging with a complete ingredient list that you can read for yourself.

My overarching philosophy is simple: if I didn't pack it, I don't eat it. Every time I travel, my backpack is packed full of snacks and meals from home. Like I said I am no stranger to a 15 hour travel day, and yes, I will pack breakfast, lunch, and dinner in my backpack.

*stay tuned for future posts about my go-to meals to pack for long flights*

If the choice is between skipping a meal or eating a prepared in-flight meal, there is no choice, I am skipping the meal every time.

The only exception to my philosophy that I personally consider is an individually packaged snack from a brand I already know and trust—something that arrives in its original, unopened packaging with an ingredient label I can read myself.

Whether you're comfortable with those snacks is a personal decision, but prepared in-flight meals should never be part of the equation. Bringing enough food from home to get you through your entire trip removes one of the biggest variables you can control, and that's exactly what I recommend.

If preboarding is available, take advantage of it.

Many airlines will allow passengers with severe food allergies to board a few minutes early so they can wipe down their seat, tray table, armrests, and surrounding area before other passengers board.

It also gives you a chance to introduce yourself to the flight attendants and let them know your situation. This is important. Some airlines (like Southwest) are still serving pistachios and cookies containing almond flour as snacks on some of their flights.

If you inform the flight attendants that you have a severe food allergy, they may be able to work with you and serve alternative options on your flight.

Here is a little pre-flight check list I have put together that you can reference the next time you fly!

✅ Pack your own meals and snacks. Pack extra in case of delays or cancellations.

✅ Always have your epinephrine, Benadryl, inhaler, and any other medicine you need in your personal item (never in a checked bag).

✅ Consider asking to preboard to wipe down the seating area.

✅ Let the flight attendants know you have a severe food allergy.

✅ NEVER EVER eat a prepared in-flight meal.

Here are some of the most talked about topics from our Facebook Group this week. Join our Facebook Group below to check out all of these posts and more!

Until next time,

The Disney Food Allergy Group