V-Flyer

Could I ask those that have flown in UC recently, how many remember if nuts (primarily peanuts) being served with the drinks service. Just trying to estimate the probability from a sample of frequent virgin flyers, and those that have mentioned it in trip reports often describe it as a welcome treat.

I'm thinking I might have to downgrade my family from UC as number one son has a peanut allergy. This has never been a problem before on Virgin, but that has always been in economy. I was going to be a surprise for them, so they won't be disappointed as they will never of known.

We know that there is no such as a a nut free flight. But I had forgot that nuts are served on Virgin flights to UC passengers both as part of the menu ingredients and the drinks service in Upper Class. The menu service is not really an issue, but having actual peanuts distributed around the UC deck would cause concern.

We always have to balance the risks in involved with flying against the rewards (this time experiencing the Grand Canyon & Monument Valley ). We always bring his own food and the ventilation systems have HEPA filters , but having bowls of peanuts around is probably too higher risk for us.

Never seen peanuts in UC for a loooong time.

Last time I saw nuts, about 6 weeks ago, they were smoked almonds, and there weren't many of those on offer either.

Snacks are usually crisps, crackers, olives, etc.

Mike

When I first read the subject I thought the context was 'people who really like VS'! [:D]

I haven't seen nuts recently. The snacks I remember are crisps and vegetable chips.

I do remember hearing an announcement on a VS flight (about a year ago IIRC) where we were told there was someone onboard with a severe peanut allergy and would passengers please refrain from eating peanuts or opening any packages containing peanuts.

It may be worth a call to VS customer service to request that they don't hand out peanuts in UC on your flight. They have many other options, so it isn't that big of a request, as long as they have some advance notice to deal with it.

J

Hi, Armonk. Welcome to V-Flyer and thank you for your membership. We're most happy to have you as part of the family.

Rather than downgrading you might consider ringing up VS customer service in advance and have your son's PNR noted for the allergy (always a good precaution, in any event, and you probably do this already). Then as soon as you board, seek out the FSM or CSS and notify them personally.

I've seen the smoked almonds on board but as others have said it's mostly crisps on offer for the drink service.

Enjoy your flight.

Chuck-

thanks for the replies so far.

We are talking to special assistance at the moment as we have to submit a medical form to Virgin for them to decide if they will allow him to fly. One of the reasons I was asking the question was to gauge whether it would be a 'big thing' to request if another non nut snack could be provided on our flight. If it was always nuts then our chances would be slim and too much to ask, but if its only occasionally nut snacks, then as a few of you have said it might not be too much to request.

The flight is not until April 08 so there is plenty of time yet, but as always when flying with him we have to start planning for situations like this well in advance.

There has been a number of fairly high profile 'nut allergy' issues on planes, including this quite long, but very informative thread, on V-Flyer.

I wonder if the removal of nuts from UC is a result of a new realisation of the seriousness of the issue?

Nick

Can't remember seeing peanuts for quite a while, at least not since the introduction of UCS[:?]

45.

Oh my last flight a pre flight announcement was made to say there was a passenger with a serious nut allergy and could we all refrain from opening nuts as it will get into the air system and cause them problems.

We sat there nut free all flight.

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
There has been a number of fairly high profile 'nut allergy' issues on planes, including this quite long, but very informative thread, on V-Flyer.

I wonder if the removal of nuts from UC is a result of a new realisation of the seriousness of the issue?

Nick

I remember that thread well, it was the first time I ever posted anything on here rather than just lurking ! I promise never to write such a long reply ever again.

We went through all this earlier this year going to MCO in upper. My wife has severe nut allergies, special assistance were fantastic as were the crew. We did not order a special nut free meal but my wife was able to order from the UC menu without any problems. They did not serve nuts anywhere on the plane as a snack.

i can't fault the way all of this was handled, it made the flight extra special for my wife, there is nothing worse than being treated like a leper when you have a medical condition such as anaphylaxia.

The crew spent a long time with her, checking all the ingredients for each item on the menu but didn't fuss over it.

Stuart

Leprosy IS a medical condition? So you're saying that there's nothing worse than being treated as though you had a medical condition when you have a medical condition?

very nice olives for me last time.

My last time 'oop pointy bit' we had a choice of either those funny Japanese snack with the mystery taste or posh crisps. Last week on VS010 I saw bags of McCoys heading forward. PE and Eco get the little pretzels.

The problem with a nut allergy is that some much food uses nuts or nut oil in preperation that it's almost impossible to know. Someone may have a Snickers (Marathon) with them and how do you enforce the 'request' not to eat it?

Originally posted by oxmatt
very nice olives for me last time.

Last ones I had were nasty, like they were brined or vinegared, like cocktail olives (like you might get in a martini), rather than nice juicy marinated olives.

Mike

I can emphasise with you and hope that your journey is safe and pleasurable. Given all the comments the only one I add is that I have found that flying on VS is much more pleasurable than some other airlines because of the scarseness of nuts. My allergy is somewhat less serious than your son's, although woe betide the adjacent passengers if 'secret' nuts are discovered in food.

I hope you have a good reply from special assistance and the flights pass without incident.

I must second (seventh?) the comments about not seeing actual fruits de Georges Washington Carver -- I've only seen the smoked almonds presented with the first drinks service (and I must suggest these over the olives marinated in what could only be embalming fluid).

But, in all candor, I did once dine with Decker and he slightly resembled a cashew -- exercise great caution here.

GJ

Hi all,
Just joined, found this topic of interest. As a Paediatrician specialising in allergies, I often write letters of support for travelling patients with anaphylaxis to nuts(in order to carry their epipens on board). I have only had positive feedback so far. Peanuts are a problem in an enclosed cabin, as inhalation can cause a reaction. But so can treenuts (almonds, brazil nuts, cashews.....). So its those woody pretzels for us! (not complaining though)