Frequent Flyer Claims She Was Thrown Off United Flight Simply For Verbalizing Her Nut Allergy

When it comes to commercial flying, the US takes nut allergies very seriously. A frequent traveler shared a bad experience on a United Express flight and a poor follow up from United Airlines. The lesson provided by her story is useful.

A Nutty Response To An Unnecessary Nut Allergy Incident On United Airlines

The passenger has filed a complaint with the DOT to protect her privacy.

• The flight incident occurred on June 19, 2022 on United Airlines flight 4325 from Huntsville (HSV) to Washington (IAD), operated by CommuteAir
  • CommuteAir operates regional flights for United Airlines under the United Express brand
• Per the policy of United, Doe alerted the flight attendant of her nut allergy after boarding
  • United’s website says, “If you have a severe food allergy and are traveling on flights between the U.S. and Canada, please notify a flight attendant on board the aircraft to request an allergy buffer zone so we can notify customers seated nearby to refrain from eating any allergen-containing products they may have brought on board.”
• The flight attendant became hostile, raising her voice and stating, “Are you sure you can fly? Do you want to die in the sky?”
• Doe assured the flight attendant she could fly, but the flight attendant said she did not want to have to “epi” Doe and then disappeared
• Moments later, a gate agent showed up and told Doe that she could not travel on the flight
  • The gate agent did this by loudly asking, “Are you the woman with the peanut allergy?,” then stating, “You need to leave the plane. You didn’t declare the nut allergy on your travel reservation, you can’t fly with United.”
• After Doe stepped off the aircraft, the pilot stepped off and said that because almonds were being sold onboard, she did not feel it was safe for her to fly
• With no other flights that night to Washington, DC and a commitment the following day, Doe was advised to book with another airline
• She ended up driving, incurring travel-related expenses totaling $1,427.31, including $1,053.08 for a one-way car rental
• Upon her return to Washington, she began a conversation with United Airlines customer service over the incident
• Her flight cost ($730.20) was refunded
• Doe also requested that her one-way car rental and associated expenses be compensated
• United initially offered her a $300 travel voucher or $200 in cash
  • After pushing back, United upped the offer to $300 in cash
• Later, United Airlines said, “After some discussion with the Captain, it was determined the safest thing would be to ask you to deplane and be re-booked for a less full flight.”
  • Of course, most flights are full these days and there were no later flights…

There are two issues here. The poorly trained flight crew mishandled the situation first. Passengers with nut allergies are not banned from flying.

United Airlines had a chance to make this right after the fact and failed in refusing to compensate her for her reasonable expenses incurred as a result of United denying her boarding.

If her allegations are true, United failed because the Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of allergies.

Mary's aim is to get compensation for her expenses and a change in the DOT policy to make it easier for passengers with severe allergies.

Lianne Mandelbaum is the founder of No nut Traveler, Inc.

“I am truly shocked by the blatant discriminatory behavior displayed by United towards this business traveler with a tree nut allergy. It is utterly unacceptable as food allergy is a recognized disability under the ACAA. No child or adult with a food allergy should ever be humiliated or thrown off a flight due to this legitimate medical condition.

“I am grateful that disability rights attorney Mary Vargas is representing this traveler because this complaint is about far more than reimbursement. It is my hope that DOT will lay down basic guidelines and require training so that other travelers with a food allergy are protected from such behavior in the future.”

I wish food allergies wouldn't happen to anyone. Reasonable accommodations are made to mitigate harm. This should be an easy case for the good leads the way campaign.

Live and Let's Fly contacted United earlier this week about the incident, but did not hear back.

CONCLUSION

A flyer with a tree nut allergy claims that she was thrown off a flight due to her allergy and that United has failed to compensate her for her expenses. Now that the issue has been brought to the attention of the DOT and that United will train its regional pilots, flight attendants, and ground staff to act with more common sense and compassion, I hope they will take corrective action.

The picture is of Adam Moreira.