Travel

Are moderate to severe allergic reactions common on planes?

No, according to a 2023 study, researchers looked at the number of in-flight medical events related to allergic reactions. They discovered that,  even with the increasing number of people travelling by plane over the past 30 years and the rise in…

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Can I take my own food on the plane?

Yes,  but you must follow some rules. It is safer to take your own food than to eat food provided by the airline. More information can be found at Food for a long flight with…

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What are the laws around food allergen safety when flying?

The Australian Food Standards Code, which includes laws related to food allergen safety, applies to domestic and international flights in Australian airspace. However, once a flight leaves Australia or enters or passes through international…

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The airline is serving the food, so why can’t they guarantee it will be safe?

Although the airline is responsible for serving food, like any food service, staff cannot guarantee its safety because they do not make every component of the meal. Meals are provided to airlines by contracted third-party catering suppliers….

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Why can't airlines always provide an ingredient list?

Ingredient lists on packaged food help people make informed choices about whether to eat it. However, food labelling laws vary between countries, resulting in different rules on what must be included on a food label. If food is imported into…

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Why can some airlines supply other special meals but not allergy meals such as a nut free meal?

Special meals for people with other dietary, religious and cultural needs (not food allergy) very rarely cause a life-threatening emergency if the wrong meal is served. It is not likely that a person’s physical health is greatly harmed from being…

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Why does A&AA recommend taking your own meals on the plane?

Taking your own food is the safest option. Reasons for this include: Airline staff serving the meal are not aware of the manufacturing processes. They may not be able to provide passengers with all the correct information when asked questions…

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Why don’t all airlines ban peanuts and tree nuts?

It’s not just peanuts and tree nuts that can trigger anaphylaxis. An allergy to any food for example milk, egg or wheat is just as serious as an allergy to peanut and tree nuts. Passengers can bring their own food on to a plane and this could…

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What are the risks when all the passengers are served a packet of peanuts or tree nuts?

People with peanut and tree nut allergy are sometimes worried about hundreds of people opening packets of peanuts or tree nuts at the same time. While some airlines choose not to serve peanuts or tree nuts as snacks, others do. If you are worried…

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What can I do to reduce risk when flying with food allergy?

Take your own food. See Food for a long flight with allergies. Keep adrenaline devices near you. Store your adrenaline devices and your ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis where you can easily reach them when you have your seatbelt on, such as…

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Do I need a letter from my doctor to take on the plane?

You should travel with your ASCIA Action Plan for anaphylaxis and your ASCIA Travel Plan for people at risk of anaphylaxis. Some airlines ask you to bring a letter or medical clearance from a doctor when flying with food allergy. Check with your…

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What is the difference between a waiver and an indemnity?

A customer may be asked to sign a waiver, or separately, an indemnity. A customer may also be asked to sign a document containing both types of agreement. A waiver is a contractual agreement that requires one party (usually the customer) to…

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If I have booked and paid for airline travel and I am then asked to sign a waiver/indemnity form, can I refuse?

Each airline has its own policies and conditions which explain the changes they will make and the level of risk they will take on. It is important to review these policies before buying your ticket, as many of the rules will apply as soon as you…

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Can I travel on an airline without telling them about my food allergy?

Passengers travelling with a food allergy should read the airline terms of service and conditions of travel (sometimes referred to as conditions of carriage) as these should explain whether the airline is willing to make any changes (for example…

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If I travel on an airline without telling them about my allergy and have an allergic reaction, will there be any legal consequence?

Most airline terms of service say they are not responsible for any loss due to an anaphylaxis on board their aircraft. Further, some airlines require that passengers do not hold the airline responsible for any costs due to an allergic reaction. The…

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