The skies aren’t always so friendly for patients and families affected by food allergies, who may often experience worry and anxiety regarding airline travel, according to a new study from the Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research at Northwestern University (CFAAR).
The study will be published the morning of Dec. 5 in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology -; IN PRACTICE.
The findings, which reflect survey responses from more than 4,700 individual patients and families across the world, show that airline travel is a significant source of worry and anxiety for individuals managing food allergy for many reasons.Â
Specific sources of worry for those traveling with food allergy include:
Uncertainty regarding whether specific accommodations arranged during the flight-booking process will be honored when individuals arrive at the airport. For example, many respondents reported being told by airlines that food allergy-related cabin announcements would be made (20%), allergen-free “buffer” zones would be established (17%), or allergen-free food options would be available on board (23%), yet these promised accommodations were not granted in-flight. Reportedly having to sign special waivers absolving the airline of liability (5%) or provide a signed doctor’s note that they are “fit to fly” (12%) prior to boarding the plane. Potentially having epinephrine or allergy-safe foods confiscated or contaminated by airport security/customs agents.Â
Food allergies are on the rise and affect more than 33 million people in the U.S., according to data previously published by lead author Christopher Warren, director of population health research at Northwestern’s