Airline cuts peanut snacks for allergy sufferers

The international airline Cathay Pacific Airways have recently revised their policies in relation to serving peanuts on Cathay Pacific flights. While they maintain peanut snacks are an integral part of their service, since 1 October 2010 passengers with peanut allergy can now request that non-peanut containing cocktail snacks be served in their class of service (i.e. first, business or economy) on a Cathay Pacific flight.

Requests must be properly documented and received by the airline three days prior to the scheduled flight departure, and any flight disruptions due to weather or mechanical problems may result in the airline not being able to fulfill the request.

Cathay Pacific Airways also make it clear to passengers they cannot provide peanut-free meals due to the risk of cross-contact, nor can they guarantee a peanut-free environment anywhere in the aircraft or airport lounges. Passengers with documented peanut allergies may request priority boarding and bring their own cleaning wipes to wipe down their seating area, and are advised to bring their own peanut-free meals that do not require re-heating by the airline staff.