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Southwest Airlines Community

We’re Still Nuts … We Just Won’t Be Serving Them Anymore

SGoldberg
Employee
Employee

As of August 1, Southwest Airlines will no longer serve peanuts onboard and will instead serve pretzels on all flights. This decision wasn’t made lightly, but in the interest of providing the best Hospitality and a welcoming and safe onboard environment for Customers with peanut or peanut-dust allergies, we felt it was the right thing to do.

 

Although peanuts are very much a part of our Company’s heritage and have always been part of Southwest Airlines’ identity, it became clear after careful evaluation that the risks of serving peanuts outweigh the rewards. We hope that Customers who will miss our peanuts will enjoy our free pretzels and wonderful selection of snacks on longer flights.

 

Of course we’ll always be NUTS about Southwest and our Company will continue to honor the significant role that our peanuts played in our history, but at the end of the day, we’re most proud of our People and their Hospitality that sets us apart.

 

ByePeanuts-01.png

40 Comments
VickiLE
Explorer B

Smiley Sad What about those who are allergic to wheat!!! I have celiac and you were the last airline that I knew I could enjoy a mid-flight snack ... and now that is gone.

John_C1
Explorer C

I seem to remember many many moons ago that Southwest had smokehouse almonds. Could that be?

Wjwr1223
Explorer C

Thank you Southwest Airlines for your well informed decision to stop serving peanuts on flights.  

 

As both a physician and mother to a child with a life threatening peanut allergy, travel can be stressful and dangerous.  It is difficult for people to understand if they themselves or family/friends are not affected by life threatening allergies, and this lack of understanding may manifest itself as anger or frustration when a food option is eliminated.  However, in many cases, the most vulnerable passengers in cases of food allergies are children.  

 

I know that you will get support from the families and friends of loved ones with life threatening peanut allergies. Again, bravo for your decision on making air travel safer.

samloubolton
Explorer C

Noooo! I have celiac and the peanuts are the only mid-flight snack I can safely eat! You guys aren't thinking about those of us with gluten/wheat allergies - the peanuts are the highlight of air travel! 

maseratijim
Explorer C

Sad to see that another corporation (Southwest) decided to be "politically correct" and caved-in to the minority.  Southwest has always been a Maverick, and one reason I appreciated their perspective on air transportion versus the others. 

 

So, now, go ahead and punish us peanut lovers.  As a side note, Delta has just responded by stating they will still serve peanuts.

DontStealMyNuts
Explorer A

@maseratijim - Thank you for the heads up on Delta. Out of principal, I know where I'll be taking my business for now on.

 

Less than 2.5% of the population is allergic to tree nuts - and  SWA decides to punish the other 97.5%. Clearly, their stated reasons are either a LIE or a case study in textbook incompetent decision making with a side of smoke and mirrors. 

 

@Wjwr1223 - While I can empathize with your situation, as an alleged licenced physician I am a bit shocked you're applauding this move, which appears to have given you a false sense of security. As a physician, you should know this does not nothing to solve the other 40 or so carrier product items which can cause reactions in those that are allergic to peanuts or tree nuts....

 

 

Again, I'm awaiting SWA's response on how this is truly a "passenger safety" decision given JUST NOW 40+ years either A) this has dawned on them or B) in reality, something else is driving this decision - SWA just hasn't come clean.

 

What does add up is.... either....

 

1)  SWA is too lazy to hold their crews accountable for proper cabin cleanliness or

 

2) Simply, this is for financial reasons - such as paying the $15M they now owe to the DOJ in fines for setting allegations of collusion with other airlines to keep prices inflated.

 

So....Hey SWA.....Why not just say.....It's costing us  $.10 per pack of peanuts, times ~150M+ passengers annually (plausible figures which basic basic math says... SWA now saves annually... wait for it....wait for it.... $15M annually in product cost (excluding weight, fuel, etc.... 

  

 

OH... and coincidentally the estimated $15M savings is exactly the same tab SWA now owes the US DOJ for settling allegations of pricing fixing with the other airlines.... 

 

To be clear, I do empathize with those that truly have allegies - It sucks to have to worry about individual conditions, whatever and whenever risks may arise - but I implore you look beyond what may seem superficially good is nothing more than a test of your intelligence. 

 

 

Either way, SWA PR and Marketing department - Please... Pretty please....Could you please come up with something a little better rather than assuming we're all idiots and will buy the current line being fed to us. Is it too much to ask that you make your message at little more plausible?

 

SWA you can earn my respect back (and associated business) if you simply just tell us the truth... Why not employ some of your own rhetoric of "Transfarency" and simply tell us peasants this saves you $15M+ per year?  None of which we'll see in lower faces with your touted "Transfarency" commitment.

 

 

treazzz
Explorer A

WOW! This  is actually kinda sad -- it is the end of an era.  (So to speak) Since I have no upcoming flights planned in the next couple of weeks, guess I got my last bag for my lifetime.  And geeee whiz, I have three excursions planned in August.  I will always stay loyal to SWA.  BTW, people know SWA for peanuts - I simply cannot believe there are that many people allergic 😞

ElleZ
Explorer C

Really annoying SWA.  Husband is Type 1 diabetic, also an A List preferred as he has to fly all the time for work.  Cannot eat wheat.  Airports and flying are the worst for him as "on the go" free airline snacks are always carb laden.  Cookies, pretzles, crackers.  Yay.  He can't eat them.  Or sugar really.  Kids are prone to Juvenile Diabetes (type 1), what do we do with them on those LAX-MDW flights?  Not eating causes havoc with blood sugar . . . bring back the nuts!  Or maybe there could be a "nutty" section on the plane.  This is all nuts to me . . . people will bring what they need on the plane anyway so I'm wondering if "nut police" will be out for those buying them at Hudson's News and bringing them on their own.  By singling out one Special Need group, it makes others with different "special needs" feel ignored and disrespected.  BOO.

 

And, BTW,  I so appreciate those who cannot eat peanuts.  We had a neighbor child who would go into shock if he touched one.   Horrid, really.  Can't we all get along?  

 

mdfosse
Explorer B

Its a very sad day.  When I grew up there were no peanut allergies. It irritates me when I would here the announcement :due to a peanut allergy we will not be serving peanutes. Sorry the rest of the 174 people on this 737-800. Now not going to serve them. I always looked forward to them on SW.  As a stockholder I am not very happy. Its the small things sometimes that make a difference. I hope this is one of many messages that will make management rethink their decision. At some point we have to say no.  No one anymore has the nuts to stand up to people. Bunch of wimps

mdfosse
Explorer B

I am allergic to the people who bring their little dogs on the plane they can't live a few days without. Put the dogs below where they use to live during a flight. Whats the difference.

Adavies
Explorer C

Kudos, Southwest! I want to thank you for such a compassionate and medically-sound policy.  Our son has a nut allergy and had an anyphylactic peanut reaction on one of your flights 8 years ago. We were over an hour away from our destination airport, and it was the most frightening thing a parent and child could ever experience. He could have died mid-flight. The epi-pens we carry with us would only hold him for 20 minutes per jab. Your crew was exceptional under the circumstances, as were the passenger nurses who administered care to our son. But there is no reason to serve an allergen that deadly when there are so many other safe food options. We are deeply grateful for your decision. You have our business for life, for protecting the lives of your passengers. 

PNutAllergies4
Explorer C

I don’t know if this will help, but it seems like a lot of these comments are due to misunderstanding, and I would love to take this opportunity to educate some on this decision. I have a peanut allergy, and the decision to remove peanuts from flights is life changing. 

 

Unlike many other conditions, the SMELL of peanuts can trigger a reaction midair in the closed in conditions of a plane. When over a hundred people open bags of peanuts at once, it is completely unavoidable for peanut dust to be sent into the air in every part of the plane, which is terrifying for someone who could die by inhaling it. 

 

One in thirteen children in the US has a food allergy, and in the last 20 years, the prevalence of peanut or tree nut allergies has more than tripled. It is a legitimate issue that affects more people than you may realize. 

 

@VickiLE, @samloubolton I understand your concerns as someone with food sensitivities not being able to eat anything provided, but wouldn’t you rather someone not literally die mid-flight than simply bring your own snacks? I, and others with peanut allergies, still cannot eat snacks on the plane, as even the pretzels are made in the same factory as peanuts, however it just makes flying a LOT safer for peanut allergic people. 

 

@DontStealMyNuts Addressing your “Bottomline”, yes, many people are allergic to things, but peanuts are one of the few allergies that can be caused simply by inhaling peanut dust. Someone allergic to dairy or gluten won’t have an allergic reaction from the AIR on the plane, and you can bring your own food on a plane. You can’t be ALLERGIC to cramped spaces, as much as everyone might not like them, and lastly, peanut allergies aren’t a fad. It is a medical condition, and TRUST ME, I wish that I could just turn it off like you would prefer. It isn’t about the other items that may contain nuts, it’s simply about the direct presence of peanuts on the plane. 

 

@maseratijim Catering to a medical condition that affects a significant portion of the population is not “political correctness”. It isn’t an opinion or a choice, people who are allergic to peanuts can DIE if they eat or smell them. Would you really rather someone go into anaphylactic shock and die mid-flight than go without peanuts for a few hours?

 

@ElleZ It isn’t about discrediting other special needs. Smelling peanut dust mid-flight could literally kill someone with an allergy. Diabetics, and all food allergic people, have the option of bringing their own food on the plane, but someone with a peanut allergy does not have the option to not die if they’re stuck in a metal tube in the air with air filled with peanut dust. I would love for all special needs to be accommodated, but this is a great move in the right direction for now. 

 

@mdfosse Perhaps when you grew up there were no peanut allergies, but as I stated, in the last 20 years, peanut allergy incidence has tripled. I don’t like it, and trust me, I would also prefer that peanut allergies just not exist. But they do, and being in a plane with peanuts can literally kill people. It’s like sticking someone in a confined space with poisonous gas, and just telling them to get over it. You could always eat peanuts after the flight!

 

Maybe none of this will work, but I would love to be able to educate at least one person, so they can understand why this is a great change on the part of Southwest, and how even if it’s a minor inconvenience, it could, and will, save lives. Peanut allergies are not a choice, they are not enjoyable, and they can kill people regardless of age. Understanding just a little more might help at least one person empathize with this decision and with the peanut allergic community. Thank you if you’ve taken the time to read this. So thank you, Southwest, for making this decision that will help many people, and being bold enough to do so even among criticism of many. 

nkingles
Explorer C

Yes, what about those of us with Celiac's Disease that cannot have any wheat products. It is just as much an allergy as a peanut allergy!  Why not replace the peanuts with something that is peanut-free and gluten-free to serve all of your customers?

 

As of summer 2017, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Southwest, Spirit and Virgin America do not offer gluten-free meals.

(Source: https://themighty.com/2017/06/celiac-disease-traveling-by-airplane-when-you-are-gluten-free/)

treazzz
Explorer A

 @nkingles - 

I feel your pain.  I have a good friend who suffers from Celiacs disease and frankly was not familiar with it at all until we became friends.  Going anywhere with her can be a nightmare - so to speak.  There are only certain restaurants we can dine in.  When she takes a cruise, they have to cater to her in one dining area and there has been functions that we attend, and she flat out cannot eat anything that is served.  At least diabetics or peanut allergens can generally find something to eat somewhere - those with Celiac have a very difficult time. 

 

Kmanser
Explorer C

I completely agree with the comments of those that do not agree with this decision.  And as some said, we are not stupid.  The local news paper today said in its article on this that the FDA lists peanuts as one of the eight food types that account for 90 percent of all food allergies in the United States.  Anyone at Southwest bother to look at the whole list?  Here it is if you didn’t.  Peanuts are only just about Wheat on the list.

1. Milk

2. Eggs

3. Fish

4. Crustacean

5. Tree nuts (Almonds, pecans etc)

6. Peanuts

7 Wheat (Hmm I think pretzels are made of wheat last time I looked and those with true celiac disease can be severely affected by wheat dust or residue)

8. Soybeans.

 

I think southwest ought to rethink this.  

tealbri35
Explorer C

Here is a question for all of the individuals that are agrily complaining about the removal of peanuts. Would you care if the person sitting next to you had a loaded gun pointed at you, with their finger on the trigger? There is rarely time to completely rid a plane of all the spilled peanuts and peanut dust between flights. You can choose not to drink milk, and for those with Celiacs, it sucks, but it is not life threatening if th eperson next to you is eating a pretzel. For years, I was insensitive to food allergies, until my daughter had her first anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. For her, your precious peanuts are no different than the loaded gun. Someone with Celiacs can easily bring an alternate snack, and their lfe will not be threatened. At shool and other places, we never ask others to change their lunches or bithday cakes etc. But in a confined space with no access to medical assistance, it is a different story. 

 

Thanks Southwest! 

Kmanser
Explorer C

People get shot with guns and you can see we don’t ban them.  People get killed in car accidents and we don’t ban them.  People get bee stings and get the same reaction one gets from peanuts.  According to statistics 150 to 200 people die each year from food allergies.  This is all way overblown and should not affect everyone.  People that are allergic to certain things including peanuts should carry their epipen as physicians recommend.  I have numerous allergies including peanuts, severe chemical sensitivities etc.  Is southwest going to quit using chemicals to clean the planes and kill bugs.  I think not.  I just deal with it and prepare.  

millertrio
Explorer C

I guess southwest FA"s will search all carry-ons and food that's brought onboard....cuz I'm sure no passenger will have stopped by one of the many Hudson's to purchase nuts!!!  I wonder whats next...making all airport venders stop selling nuts as well...

MsFay
Explorer C

 I think SWA, has made a wonderful decision. Think about if you or a family member had allergies to food, and all it took was a smell, a touch or just eating it to case them to have an allergic reaction. You never know, who has allergies and it could take one person to forget their epipen and then SWA could be looking at a lawsuit. So please put the shoe on the other foot, and think about why they made that decision.

 

Even now for our children school's, some work places, and even churches ask for you not to bring, peanuts or peanut butter(No peanut zone). So this is a serious matter between life or death.

 

Their is always an alternative route. I do this all the time. Bring your own snacks/food  from home before you travel. Plan your day out on the day of travel to eat before you come to the airport. I get it, food/ drink prices are VERY VERY expensive at the airport. So those are a few precautions, I use myself. 

 

Either way SW, is my favorite airline, and no bag of peanuts will change that! 😊

colleenokim
Explorer C

Great decision Southwest!  Peanut allergies top 90% of deaths from food allergies.  Seems to be a great decision to help keep everyone safe.  When it's life or death, how could someone be so tied to a certain food known to kill via exposure to air, touch and ingestion? Seems like an awfully selfish form of thinking.

 

To the celiac posters:  Celiac is not life-threatening (foodallergycanada.ca/2017/08/myth-vs-fact-celiac-disease-vs-wheat-allergy) whereas peanuts/tree nuts can be: air, touch, and ingestion killers.  Perhaps you can bring some snacks that are good for you like the nut allergy community has always done - but in recycled air won't threaten to kill you, like peanuts could.

 

Thanks Southwest for leveling the accessibility to all!

reneerose
Explorer A

I wish you could provide a lower fragrance seating area of the plane for people with reactivity to strong fragrances or chemical sensitivity who get set off and have sore throat or headache reactions to people who wear heavy fragrance or have residue of scented personal care product on their person.   GRANTED - I know that most people don't seem to have hypersenstivity to fragrances, at least not yet to a high level of sensitivity like people diagnosed with normal conditions like diabetes or celiac disease.....and environmental illness is not one of the more acknowledged or mainstream health conditions in the field of medicine...the typical person who has no personal experience with EI or MCS think we're all psychosomatics!  Which is really sad!   

 

Increasing numbers of people are becoming environmentally ill and they don't know how much of what they eat, breathe, drink, sleep, and the chemicals used in their daily lives affect them and indirectly cause the chronic health conditions that cause a lower quality of life.   

 

If there was a lower scented part of the plane, that would help a LITTLE for fragrance sensitive passengers to have to wrap up their faces with masks and scarves to avoid breathing in personal care product fragrances/chemicals.   At least you have un-reserved seating and permit those with health issues to board first which is much appreciated.   I know you can't really abolish all chemicals in the cabin...I mean I have to wrap my scarf around my head when I smell the jet fuel at take off!

 

I seriously empathize with the peanut and wheat sensitive people, just residue of a especially scented product or products containing petrochemicals are enough to give me a bad migraine, lung pain, or sore throats.  But I have to fly to get to places or go on vacation so I bring my mask and that helps me try to live a normal life.     There are asthmatics for whom breathing in perfume or scented product residue in the air can trigger an asthma attack.  People fly because they have to and people with allergies need to be able to have a life and have  their health conditions respected!    People with allergies have to be hypervigilant to protect themselves because they can't control what other people do.  

 

Edited to add:   But hey I do agree that an airline exists mainly for profit and health conditions of people don't really matter more than the bottom line.  And a plane is such an enclosed space/can of sardines so that it makes people like me who are totally afraid of flying think about taking other means of transport or driving myself!

jennluvs2golf
Explorer C

On my Southwest flights, over the last year, we had the choice of peanuts or pretzels.  I opted for the pretzels on the last 2 flights and the package says gluten-free.  I do not remember the brand name or website listed on the package.  So before lashing out, Southwest is looking out for all their passengers' health needs and safety.  

jazen1403
Explorer C

Dear Southwest,

 

My family is extatic to know that soon your airline will not be serving peanuts on flights.  With my 6 year old daughter having a severe peanut allergy, it is a relief that the flights she’s on are one less area to be concerned with when traveling with her allergy.

 

From several past experiences with southwest, your staff and company have always reasonably accommodated our allergy needs.  We appreciate that effort and looking forward to seeing it continue. 

 

On a recent flight earlier this week, it was the same drill, we hand the flight attendant the allergy paper, kindly let them know of the allergy and have a seat.  As always no peanuts are served on board.  What we did notice however was the pretzels served in lieu of peanuts were packaged in a facility that handled peanuts.  As relentless and seasoned pros at taking a look at packaging, they are deemed unsafe.  After communicating this to the staff handing out snacks, the pretzels were continued to be served.

 

I wanted to convey a message of concern for future peanut allergy travelers of your airline.  As with the latest news of peanuts going away, the perception is that the alternatives are all safe for peanut allergy sufferers.  As seen with the pretzels served, this is not the case.  For those who are less cautious with the allergy and do not check packaging labels when the assumption is the pretzels are safe, they are still in danger of serious and severe reactions.

 

As with the allergy, education and communication is key in understanding.  I hope this email will assist in the education of your airline and staff zof the allergy and help prevent possible future reactions.  

 

Thanks.

James 

 

P.S. im attaching a picture of the pretzel packaging.pretzels on flight 7/23/18pretzels on flight 7/23/18

healtheducator
Explorer C

Banning peanuts but not the other significant food allergens is inconsistent. More to the point, It ignores the consensus evidence about the low risk of peanut allergy reactions occurring in confined spaces such as aircraft cabins.  The evidence is well summarised  in Greenhawt M et al (2013).  “International study of risk-mitigating factors and in-flight allergic reactions to peanut and tree nut”. Journal of Allergy and Clinical  Immunology: In Practice;1:186-94. www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(13)00078-0/pdf  One of the co-authors is the Director of Anaphylaxis Australia.  The study identifies common sense risk-mitigating behaviours which peanut allergic passengers should be allowed to carry out, including pre-boarding to wipe down seats and tray tables.   

 

The lead author Dr Greenhawt (a paediatric allergist at the University of Michigan)  discussed the peanuts on planes issue in Allergic Living in 2014, and concluded that the widespread belief about dangerous particles becoming airborne from opened nut packets (known as aerosolisation) lacks foundation.  He stated: “… it is highly unlikely for a passenger to inhale nut protein from someone consuming nuts a few rows in front of him/her. There is no evidence that has been able to show that such dust circulates.” www.allergicliving.com/2014/08/21/anaphylaxis-in-the-air-two-recent-airline-incidents/   

The aroma of roasted peanuts, of course, is due to chemicals known as pyrazines. These are not proteins and therefore are not capable of causing allergic reactions in susceptible individuals.

 

It needs to be acknowledged that the concerns of individuals and families affected by serious nut allergies are genuine. However, the evidence and expert clinical opinion based on it all point to very low to negligible risks from fellow passengers opening packets and consuming nuts on airplanes. Where large groups of people, such as airline passengers, are concerned the question of rights versus risks has to be carefully negotiated and balanced. Repetition of unsubstantiated beliefs about the supposed dangers of inhaling nut particles or the aroma of nuts on airplanes is part of the problem and does not help find the solution.  The airline should reconsider its position in the light of the evidence and act accordingly. 

DontStealMyNuts
Explorer A

@healtheducator AMEN! Thank you for your well reasoned, factual and scientifically cited post. I think this only furthers the point, aside from cost savings, or perhaps emotional decision making driving this within the SWA executive ranks, "passenger safety" (SWA's publicly stated reason) has ZERO to do with the genesis of this decision. The facts you've provided above confirm this. Thank you! 🙂 

sherryhuang
Explorer C

---- Southwest

reneerose
Explorer A

Now part of me thinks some other airline somewhere might be able to make some bucks on catering specifically to the populations that have allergies or sensitivities to some triggering thing, creature, food, chemical.  Overall this just says something about how people's immune systems have been affected by the highly chemical and unhealthily technological way people live these days, destroying our immune systems so that we end up having food sensitivities to foods that we never in the past had sensitivity as much to....

 

Going back to the specialty airline services...a large number of allergic people would have to fly a lot to make it worth that airline's while...ugh the bottom line stinks.  I can envision it now....the peanut allergy plane, the fragrance free plane, the dog / pet allergy free plane....no wonder people with allergies like this end up driving or finding other modes of transport LOL.

 

I don't know about the viability of making enclosed compartments of a plane that cater  to pet allergy passengers, chemical allergy passengers...etc etc etc

 

No one really enjoys being crammed in a plane like a sardine overall just to get somewhere, but we all do it because we need to live.....and enjoy life.....

 

Just don't get me started about the FAA and general public's ignorance about "bleed air" in airplane cabins causing mysterious "flu-like symptoms" ....the public only cares about what they know that is familiar...if it's unexplained only if someone gets really sick do they even try to find out the cause....no wonder more and more people see holistic practitioners nowadays....conventional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry   just wants to medicate us all.... 

 

Signed, 

a member of the population with chemical sensitivity/fragrance sensitivity/environmental illness

 

reneerose

pie2eat
Explorer C

Very disappointed in the decision to remove peanuts. 
Yes, I understand a small percentage of the population may be allergic. However, does this mean that all foods carried-on the aircraft by passengers will now be searched for peanut-contraband?  I would presume not. Therefore this decision smacks of politcal correctness and the fact the pretzels are cheaper and probably weigh less than peanuts.  

 

I travel a lot, I fly SW a lot. I frequently have to miss meals because of the travel schedule and transfers -- the peanuts are a quick means of good calories with protein.  Pretzels are wasted calories.

 

Not pleased.  Not pleased at all.

Tkitchen4
Explorer C

As many others have stated.... eliminating the peanuts means that people with Celiac disease or a related wheat allergy have no snack option on flights under 4 hours. THEN at best it’s Fritos, which hey, it’s something, so long as your flight is over 3.5+ hours. Other airlines have gotten SO much better about having a GF option for customers with Celiac/people who don’t want to eat it. Peanuts (with the exception of the honey roasted-those contain wheat) peanuts were a great way for us to have something to get us by until we landed and could grab something more.  Only serving pretzels THAT ARE PACKAGED IN A FACILITY THAT HANDLES NUTS is crazy to me. There are people who are actually as allergic to gluten as peanuts and breathing or being in the same place where gluten is present can have an allergic reaction, rare, yes, but still possible. I’m not discrediting peanut allergies in any sense, I agree they are incredibly life threatening, my thing is cutting out the only option someone with another severe allergy which is becoming more and more widespread (much like nut allergies) is disheartening.

As an A-List Preferred, Companion Pass holder, and shareholder I have a devotion, if not an obsession with flying Southwest, I fly with Southwest because of its outstanding hospitality and devotion to its customers, this is far from what I’ve come to know. Sure it’s just peanuts, but have a replacement item to suffice people who can’t eat pretzels.... PLEASE. 

LHK
Explorer C

You have made clear the virtuous intent of your decision is based upon all the averted potential passenger misery.  But if that is truly the motive, can you share with us some idea of the number or frequency of occurrences where Southwest Airlines' age-old practice of distributing peanuts to eagerly receptive passengers was responsible for these horrific allergic reactions that necessitated punishing your entire flying public? 

 

Did they happen to grown-ups with known allergies who accidentally ingested them not knowing they were peanuts?  Or were children impacted by picking them up from the floor, the seats or taking them from strangers, or worse yet from adults who knew better.  And what about all the peanut dust and crumbs circulating in the air or collected in the seat back pockets from earlier flights?  From where and how did these unfortunate episodes arise?  And what precautions need be taken as a result of passengers who will now bring their own peanuts on board?

 

If you would reveal some hard data that demonstrated this decision is founded on actual experience it would help us all deal with our cynicism over your motives.  People can argue over the veracity of various scientific claims about peanuts and associated allergens and mechanisms that induce these reactions.  But you have the empirical data to not only shed light on the topic but to substantiate your position.  I'll bet you have data on all kinds of in-flight health incidents, e.g. heart attacks, strokes, even deaths.  Why not allergic reactions to peanuts?   

 

From my perspective as a long time A-lister, you have needlessly sqandered many years of hard-earned and well-deserved goodwill for providing a high quality service while not taking yourselves too seriously.  And for what measurable upside benefit?  Now you are just another corporate sellout to tiny vocal interests and the risk averse environment of our litigious and politically correct times.  I will remember it and so will many others.  

 

This sure doesn't seem like a Herb Kelleher type decision.

Rkwkaty
Explorer C

Come on Southwest!!!

Peanut allergies affect .4 percent of the population and you take them away from the other 99.6% of us?

What if someone brings their own on board?

Stop being PC!!!

Safeaunt
Explorer C

I’ll miss the nuts, but totally understand.

What I don’t understand is the amount of dogs and cats on the laps and seats on the plane. What about those with pet allergies?

I’m seeing more and more pets on laps, and I really would rather NOT have dog and cat dander in an enclosed plane.

Im OK with them being in their carrier, but not on seats on in laps.

bgubs14
Frequent Flyer C

I had heard a lot about this happening and I think it'll be a good decision! Many people have peanut allergies. There will still be the belvita snacks on the plane I presume which are pretty healthy and tasty!

ndln
Explorer C

How about a snack choice without MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE???  I have a severe allergy to MSG and all of its relatives (aka hydrolyzed corn and yeast protein) - and the only snack option on my last flight was Wheat Thins Veggie Flavor with MSG!!!!!.  At least you could have offered a plain version (but I do agree with Celiacs - also leaves some people with no options due to gluten allergies).  

 

Thanks, now I have no other options without the peanuts as a choice if you select highly chemically MSG seasoned snacks.  

 

Sincerely,

Hungry on last Southwest flight 

durkee
Explorer C

Peanuts have been a great part of the history of SWA.  If peanuts are definately out, let's try almonds.  The pretzels have to go.

fossiltx
Explorer C

So... are you also going to eliminate cats from the cabin as well for those of us that have a SEVERE allergic reaction to them?  Or dogs for that matter?  Or other animals?

 

How about if I bring my own peanuts?

fossiltx
Explorer C

 So.... are we going to ban cats as well?   My wife has SEVERE reaction to cats, cat hair and cat dander.  ALL of which are lobbed about the plane when a cat is in the cabin.  Shall we ban those as well?

reneerose
Explorer A

After seeing the additional posts on allergies and other environmental or food sensitivities...heck....we may as well all just stay home!  😞     The world has in a way caused all of these health problems when you stop to consider the chemicals and environmental lack of care people give to how they live since the industrial revolution.....   a lot of these things wouldn't exist if we lived healthier lives from the get go...not necessarily blaming people...but have to consider environment as a factor...why do so many seniors now have Parkinson's.....why do so many people now have sensitivity to peanuts....how has being pristinely antibacterial caused antibiotic resistance.....etc etc

sbk
Explorer B

 

Why is southwest banning peanuts on flights for those with allergies-  yet southwest is now welcoming miniture horses and cats on airplanes even though some people get just as serious allergies/asthma when pet dander/hair is floating through the air? 

 

Allergies/asthma can be life and death as well,  and as you know the animal hair/dander will forever be in the ventilation system, cushions, carpet etc...

How can they ban peanuts for some but not animals (unless of course a true disability) for others???  both allergies can be very life threatening...

reneerose
Explorer A

 I wonder now ---re reading all of the responses to the original post if SWA should pretty much just ban food altogether on a flight  🙂    what is the policy IF a fellow passenger on the flight DID (without knowledge of someone with a peanut allergy on the plane) bring a peanut containing food item?    Is it the normal SWA protocol to pretty much publicly announce on flights that a person has peanut allergies after everyone has boarded--- and confiscate peanut containing items from fellow passengers ?   Just wondering what the current protocol is.             I just got back from a vacation and SWA flight where the flight attendant asked me if I wanted her to announce that I had fragrance sensitivity so ALL of the people on the plane would be aware not to use anything highly scented while on the plane OR....maybe even NOT even sit near me.       Glad I had my doctor's papers with me for the early boarding accomodations SWA is kind enough to provide with the un-reserved seating!   A great plus for my health condition.              I was sooo embarassed already  that I told the flight attendant "no thanks"   I didn't want her to announce on the plane formally     as I didn't want to be singled out as the "weirdo, or that girl with the allergy" whose reactions were dependent upon what other people on the plane might do or not do....as in using synthetic chemical containing or fragrance containing products that would give me sore throat or headache...( heck I was wearing my allergy mask  on the plane as my "allergy" and  fragrance/chemical hypersensitivity  is not something I can control and is a disease that most people do NOT understand as MCS or even Mast Cell Activation Syndrome  sufferers react to  lower than normal levels of substances and scented products in the ambient air thant NORMAL people ).      Then I pretty much shrunk down in my seat and tried to act "normal" burying my nose in the book I brought on the plane.      Thank God that flight was only 90 minutes. 

 

     At least I wasn't treated rudely like that  time 2 years ago when the Southwest flight attendant pretty much LAUGHED in my face and said "good luck" avoiding fragranced chemicals on the plane!   That made me seriously angry and I didn't get around to writing to SWA that they need to have their flight attendants display more tact and empathy/compassion in  their interactions  with allergic SWA passengers/customers.   

 

  I  seriously do strongly EMPATHIZE with  all peanut or pet  allergy people....you have an allergy or can have allergic reactions and your life and health is sometimes at the mercy of people around you doing or not doing things that could affect the possibility of you getting sick on a flight  and you have little control over unintentional exposures ....sometimes even if all the main precautions are taken to prevent a reaction....at times the unplanned and unforeseen happens....but that is real life.