Peanut and tree nut allergies are not disseminated via airline cabin ventilation arrangements but through accidental dietary ingestion of allergens or their residues on seat surfaces. A recent review in Archives of Disease in Childhood presents common misconceptions regarding food allergies during air travel and discusses strategies to help prevent them. Background Food-allergic passengers feel heightened anxiety while flying due to the perceived risk of peanut or tree nut particle exposure through airplane ventilation systems.
Food allergies can result in anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic response. Fear of severe responses lowers quality of life, particularly during holidays and travel. Dispelling myths about air travel-related food allergies could increase confidence among food-allergic individuals.
About the review The present review discusses myths and evidence regarding in-flight food allergies and mitigation strategies based on the 2023 United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) report. Common myths and evidence regarding food allergies during air travel Myth 1: Allergic responses are more frequent on airplanes The evidence: Research shows that individuals with food allergies are 10 to 100 times less likely to develop allergic reactions on a flight. The low frequency of allergies among food-allergic passengers may be attributed to the measures taken when flying.
Myth 2: Aerosolized food allergens are a major concern The evidence: Allergies to aerosolized meals.
