| Flying long haul with food allergies is no mean feat, it requires serious planning and preparation. Having only recently taken the plunge into long haul, I thought I'd share our ultimate checklist, just in case it helps steady your nerves and helps with your planning. | | You may be like us and think there is no way you could fly long haul with allergies, especially multiple ones. Well Little S is currently on her gap year and has just flown solo to Australia with allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, and sesame (and this is airborne too). So, it may be tricky, but it is possible! Here's our checklist of how we coped with the situation. | - Research – some airlines are more accommodating that others. Do not choose one with a bad approach to allergies as this will just make the whole experience even more stressful. We avoided Emirates and Qatar airways as we had heard they insist on serving peanuts, as well as any airlines we'd not heard of. This did increase the overall cost, but peace of mind is priceless when you're flying with allergies. Little S flew with United Airways who were good, to a certain extent, although they could have been more vocal about encouraging no nuts on board. Other recommended options are British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Delta.
- Think about stopovers – Little S was going to Australia from the UK, so this necessitated a stopover. Most flights went via Doha, Singapore or China and she felt uncomfortable with the thought of stopping somewhere so unfamiliar. So, she decided to fly via the USA – this made the flight a little longer, but it felt more familiar and therefore more reassuring.
- Special assistance – when booking you may be able to add in details of your allergies, so the crew know well in advance, otherwise make sure you contact the airline and have your requirements noted as early as possible.
- Speak up! – Flying is not the time to be shy about your allergies. Let everyone know, it's your safety at stake and that is top priority.
- Medication – if possible, take more than you need and make sure one set of antihistamine and EpiPens are close to hand, at all times. Also, for reassurance pack a copy of any consultant letter or prescription, Little S also took her allergy action plan.
- Environment – little S look antibacterial wipes as well as some high grade face-masks in case anyone insisted on eating peanuts near her.
- Don't eat the airline food – to be honest you're not missing out by avoiding the airline food and 30,000 ft up in the air is not the time to take risks. We'd checked what meals would be provided and packed similar. This was easy because I prepared everything, we just needed to make sure she had a big enough bag!! The way home will be harder as she'll have to make everything for herself, but I'll update this blog with tips and tricks after she's home
- We studied the menus and provided alternatives – so the flight to LA left mid afternoon and arrived 2am UK time. So we packed a main meal, followed by two lighter snacks. Then the second flight left early morning USA time and arrived in Sydney the next morning, so this was a main meal, snack, and breakfast. (I'll list exactly what we packed below)
- She had no trouble taking the food through security other than a slightly incredulous guard commenting on how much food she had!
- She also took a few extras like sweets and chocolate.
- She packed a pouch of MyOm oat milk concentrate so that she could have a safe coffee in the air.
- She also took an emergency Made Good cereal bar (the rest were in her check in bag)
- Always pack extra – you never know when there will be a delay! She had an emergency freeze dried Huel meal just in case – not the nicest meal you can imagine but free from all her allergens.
- Security – we'd been warned that security was tough in both USA and Australia and that she might not be able to take food in. Anway, she declared everything, made sure all homemade food was consumed before she arrived in Australia and took her allergy action plan just in case. In the end despite declaring food and medication, she went through without being checked.
| Flight 1 – London – Los Angeles (11 hours) | | I should start by saying that whilst not eating anything provided by the airline she did make the most of the free drinks! | | Meal 1 – full meal – falafel and couscous bowl with lots of roasted veg and spicy sauce, long-life Alpro dessert and Moofreesers | | Lighter meal – homemade veggie sausage rolls (recipe in The Friendly Baker) with cucumber sticks and safe Hula Hoops (Asda own brand), plus homemade chocolate hobnob | | Light snack – homemade pain au chocolat, and dairy-free yoghurt pouch | | Stopover – 5hrs – I'd packed an emergency Huel meal that just needed rehydrating but in the end she didn't need it | | Flight 2 – Los Angeles to Sydney (15 hours) | | Again lots of water and interesting drinks! | | Meal 1 – chicken Caesar pasta salad (separate mini Tupperware of dressing to perk it up) | | Lighter meal – homemade bagel, popcorn and MooFree bar | | Breakfast – Homemade pain au chocolat and mini cereal box | | It actually all went smoothly, other than a panic when she noticed her neighbour had a Snickers bar, but she was brave and spoke up and he kindly put them away for the rest of the flight. | | Anyway, I hope this helps you see that while it does take forward planning and lots of thought, it can work. I hope Little S's courage and determination will encourage you too. Allergies don't have to hold you back xx | | | | |
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