For most people, a vacation is a break from routine. It’s a chance to explore new places, taste new foods, and enjoy a sense of freedom. But the reality of traveling with allergies is scary and can be downright dangerous. For the millions of people who carry an EpiPen alongside their passport and credit cards, every trip requires life-saving preparation.
Preparation for travelers navigating food allergies means checking restaurant menus in advance, alerting flight attendants, and confirming with hotel staff that your room is free of allergen triggers. It’s also avoiding destinations where Mother Nature produces irritants such as pollen. Any one of these details, overlooked, can turn a dream vacation into a nightmare. Traveling with allergies is not merely about managing anxiety and fears. It comes down to survival.
However, there is hope for travelers with allergies that doesn’t involve avoiding travel. Across the board, more travel and hospitality companies are catering to travelers with severe food and environmental allergies. There is still a long way to go for the industry. Still, passengers have a lot more control than they think. Here are the best practices for travelers who are living with allergies to stay safe.
Planning Is Life-Saving For Travelers With Allergies
The best thing people with allergies can do is plan. This means choosing an airline, destination, and even a hotel that caters to your needs. Step one is identifying your needs, and step two is communicating them. Airlines, hotels, and restaurants can better prepare for your arrival with a heads-up. Before booking a flight, hotel, or restaurant reservation, call ahead to inform them of your allergen needs so they can accommodate you.
The next step is travel insurance. Allergies are classified as pre-existing conditions, so it’s important to inform the policyholder to avoid having claims denied. Travel insurance should include emergency medical and dental for unexpected hospital stays, doctor visits, and treatments. It should also cover medical evacuation in a worst-case scenario, as well as medication replacement.
What To Do On Airlines
For airlines, call at least 48 hours in advance to remind them of your allergies. Domestically, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines do not serve peanuts in their meals or snacks. While these airlines do not promise an allergen-free zone, they are better at accommodating passengers.
On its website, Southwest Airlines does not make mention of attempting to create a buffer zone. The company states, “We are unable to provide an allergen-free environment onboard,” adding that passengers should also bring their own snacks if they have any concerns.
Travelers should alert flight attendants before the flight leaves because they’ll ask passengers seated near you not to eat any food containing allergens that they have brought on board. However, airlines cannot force people not to eat their own food.
One important tip travelers should know is that they can request early pre-boarding to wipe down seats, tray tables, the plane wall, and the window. If your next flight has meal service and you have a food allergy, you may make a special meal request. However, special meal options are limited and may not be available on your flight.
Navigating International Flights
While navigating international flights can be a gamble, some airlines are better than others. Air Canada offers a pre-booked “buffer zone” where surrounding rows are restricted from consuming your declared allergen. Pre-boarding is also available for passengers to wipe down their area.
Japan Airlines has eliminated peanuts from in-flight meals on all domestic and international routes, and offers specially tailored low-allergen meals, while British Airways accommodates with pre-boarding. Swiss Airlines is the first airline certified as “allergy friendly” by the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF), ensuring specific menus and policies are in place.
Packing Essentials When Traveling With Allergies
A carry-on with medications, including antihistamines and epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens), is a non-negotiable. It’s also recommended to pack extra doses to accommodate any delays or emergencies.
Another great piece of equipment is a medical bracelet that provides emergency responders with your crucial information in the event of a severe reaction. If you’re traveling internationally, pack a translation card to keep with you in the event of an emergency.
Keep this list from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) handy:
- Allergy medication, including inhalers and epinephrine
- Safe snacks or meals during flights
- Card listing your food allergies and get them translated into the local language
- Copies of your allergy emergency response plan, including copies in the local language
- Bring a medical alert system (such as a bracelet) with allergy and emergency contact information
Best Destinations For Allergies
When it comes to traveling with allergies, one challenge is that not every corner of the world is equally welcoming to travelers with allergies. However, some destinations have earned a reputation for awareness, accommodation, and allergy-friendly policies.
United Kingdom
In the UK, labeling laws are among the strictest in the world. Restaurants are legally required to disclose the 14 major allergens in their dishes. It’s hard to find the transparency the UK offers elsewhere.
Australia
With one of the highest rates of food allergies in the world, Australia has a strong culture of public awareness. Travelers with nut, gluten, or dairy allergies will find Australia to be easy to navigate.
Italy
With a high diagnosis rate of celiac disease, Italy offers gluten-free options that are clearly marked and taken seriously. The Italian Celiac Association certifies restaurants across the country, giving travelers a reliable network of safe dining options.
Iceland
Iceland’s sub-Arctic location and lack of dense forests combine to create one of the world’s most pollen-free environments, making it a premier destination for allergy sufferers.
Remember that no destination is entirely risk-free. Even in the most allergy-conscious countries, communication gaps, kitchen errors, and unexpected environmental triggers can occur. While the best destinations reduce the odds, they do not eliminate them.
Luckily for travelers with allergies, there are some things within their control. Preparation, clear communication, and carrying emergency medication remain essential no matter where the journey leads.
