This information is intended as a guide for travel when you are at risk of anaphylaxis. Specific information on travel and your health needs should always be obtained from your doctor.
Before you travel
Preparing medication and rules for carrying medication
When travelling by air within Australia or overseas you will need to contact the airlines to receive their current policy on rules for carrying medication and food. It is best to contact the airlines directly, not through a travel agent.
Most airlines recommend you carry some form of documentation to support the need for your medication and/or food. Ask your doctor to complete an ASCIA Travel Plan for people at risk of anaphylaxis. The travel plan is used with your ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. Like the ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis, the Travel plan is a medical document and is signed by your doctor or nurse practitioner. It states that you need to carry an adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as Anapen®, EpiPen®), and your own food.
You could also consider taking a letter from your doctor/allergy specialist that lists your medical history and all prescribed medications. This can be useful if you need medical care whilst you are on holiday. Take a copy of the Event Record for Allergic Reactions so that you have a record of any reactions while travelling and can talk to your doctor when you return.
If possible, keep medications in their original package with a pharmacy label. This will make it easier when going through security and customs. Check the expiry dates of all your medications and ensure it is after your return date. If it expires before you return, it is best to get new prescriptions and medications which will last the time of your travel.
People at risk of anaphylaxis flying interstate or overseas should travel with their adrenaline injectors in their carry-on luggage. Usually, adrenaline injectors are not kept in their original box as the boxes are bulky and fall apart when carried with a person everywhere they go. A&AA have not had any complaints from passengers about boarding planes with their adrenaline injectors if they are not in their original box. People should have an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis with their adrenaline injectors and when travelling, also have an ASCIA Travel Plan.
Research meals provided by the airline
Most airlines do not have food restriction policies. When making your enquiries make sure you get the name of the person that you speak to. If possible send the person an email listing what you asked for and discussed and ask them to respond and confirm your requests in writing. Keep this written copy with you at all times.
Do not expect peanut free, egg free, milk free or allergen free flights. The reality is that some food allergens can be reduced but a guarantee that any given space is free of an allergen is not possible. Remember, passengers bring their own foods on the flight too. It is important to work on strategies to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction well before the flight date. You can:
- Tell them you have a food allergy
- Ask about food and snacks served
- Ask that no nut snacks are served as a small number of people eating a nut product they have brought on the flight is very different to a whole plane full of passengers eating a pack of nuts all at the one time.
- Take your own food. Ask about reheating or storage of your safe foods. Have a doctor’s letter stating you have food allergy and may need to take your own foods.
- Think about the time of day you are travelling and if there will be a full meal served. If egg and milk allergic, travel after breakfast may be a little safer.
Taking your own food on the plane
We strongly recommend passengers with food allergy take their own food from home.
Remember there may be delays so take extra food that will be suitable for the person with food allergy to eat. This will reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. If you have a stop over (are staying in a country for several hours or even overnight), you will need to check on quarantine laws before you leave home as you may need to throw out some unpackaged foods (i.e. fruit, vegetables, meat). Some countries have specific requirements and this may leave you short of safe foods for the next part of the journey. Safe to eat foods that can be kept for a long time before they are eaten are easiest to have with you on flights.
Travel insurance
Some travel insurance policies do not automatically include those at risk of anaphylaxis. Make sure you ask questions about this and take out a policy that protects you in case of an anaphylaxis.
See our Checklist for Travel Insurance.
On the day
Ask to board the plane early and communicate with staff
Arrive early and allow yourself plenty of time to manage any extra checks you need to do because of your allergy.
Ask to board the plane a little earlier than everyone else so you can wipe down the tray table and pick up any food crumbs and packaging left behind. Casual contact with food crumbs and smears (such as sitting on crumbs that contain egg) is highly unlikely to cause a severe allergic reaction. Wearing long sleeves and long pants can also help to avoid contact with allergens.
If you have a toddler, in addition to wiping the seat and table, using a cot sheet or similar as a seat cover can help avoid contact with any allergens.
Speak to the senior cabin crew member and let them know about the food allergy.
Communicate with fellow passengers
Remember to ask for assistance from other passengers.
If you have a child with food allergy, let those around you know that your child has for example a peanut or egg allergy, and ask them not to offer them any food. Try to put the child in a seat away from other passengers or areas where food and drink will be passed over the top of them. It may be safer for them in a window seat or sitting between you and a sibling or partner that does not have food allergy. This may not always be possible but if it is and you have a busy toddler or preschooler, it may be helpful.
Keep ASCIA Action Plan and adrenaline injectors with you
Make sure your emergency medication and ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis can be reached easily when you are seated with your seatbelt on. Adrenaline injectors must not travel in the luggage that you check-in for several reasons including temperature control, risk of damage and need to have the medication close by in case of an unplanned emergency.
Take at least two adrenaline injectors (such as EpiPen®, Anapen®) with you when travelling interstate, overseas or even to remote areas within your own state.
Allergic reactions do happen when people are travelling. The most serious reactions are those where the food allergen is eaten. The risk of serious allergic reactions from breathing in or touching of an allergen is extremely low.
Almost always, the food allergen must be eaten (even a very small amount) for the person to have anaphylaxis.
Travelling with allergies
Travelling with food allergies means lots of thinking, research and planning. Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia has useful resources, information and advice to help you.