Three tips for flying with an allergy
Posted: 31st August 2022 | Posted by Costa
Three tips for flying with an allergy
We’re now in the peak of holiday season. Many people are jetting off to faraway destinations to get some summer sun, sea, and relaxation. But travelling can be a stressful time. Navigating a busy airport, trying to stay under the luggage limit, not losing your passport. There’s a lot to worry about. And this stress and worry is only magnified if you struggle with an allergy.
For allergy sufferers, flights can bring a lot of anxiety. You’re confined for hours in a small space with little to no control over what food or environmental allergens you might be exposed to. And you just need to look at the stats. 9% of peanut allergy sufferers report experiencing a reaction on a flight.
But the last thing you want is for your allergies to prevent you from seeing the world. So whether you’ve got a holiday coming up soon, or want some reassurance before booking your next getaway, here’s our advice for flying with an allergy.
Do your research
A lot of the work to allergy-proof your trip should be done before you even step foot on the plane. Or even in the airport! Every airline will have their own policy on food allergies. So if you’re a sufferer, you’re going to want to do your research ahead of time.
Have a read of your chosen airline’s policies and make sure you feel comfortable with the protections they have in place. If you have any questions or want clarification, get in touch with them well in advance, preferably before confirming your booking.
And if you’re not comfortable with what you read, explore other providers and airlines until you find one that meets your needs and expectations. It’s always better to spend a little extra time planning your trip than an eight-hour flight spent in panic mode. Also worth noting is that the airline you book through might not always be the one providing or managing the plane. So a few extra calls might be needed to confirm you’ll be good to go.
Communicate, communicate, communicate
To make your journey as smooth as possible, you’re going to have to communicate with airport and airline staff. A lot. Perhaps you’ve requested to sit in a particular part of the plane or to board early. Even if you’ve arranged this ahead of time, you might want to get to the airport in good time just to confirm that the airline is aware of and ready to accommodate your requests.
You also can’t be too careful. So communicate with staff about your allergy at every stage of your journey. Before and during boarding, while ordering any food, before eating it, or if you start to feel any tingles or sniffles coming on. This way, you can reduce your risk of experiencing a reaction mid-flight.
Try not to worry about repeating yourself or being demanding of staff. The priority is making you as comfortable and safe as possible for the duration of your flight.
Keep your allergy emergency kit close
We broke down what to include in your allergy emergency kit here. But when it comes to flying specifically, you’re going to want to keep it as close as possible. Your medications are no use to you from the luggage hold, so everything you need should stay in your hand luggage.
Always bring more than you think you’ll need. You never know when you’ll be hit with a delay or lost luggage. And let anyone you’re travelling with – or cabin crew if you’re alone – know where your medications are and what you might need, just in case you experience a severe reaction. Also, keep medications in their original packaging where possible. This could help to reduce any dramas during airport security or bag checks.
Flying can be an exciting time. You’ve been looking forward to your holiday for months and the time has finally come. But as an allergy sufferer, you have a few extra things to think about in the lead-up. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to ensure a safe, smooth, and enjoyable flight every time.
If you have any questions about your allergies or intolerances, or what they mean for travelling, feel free to talk to one of our allergists today. Just call us on 02031 433 449, or register as a new patient.