Passenger Submits Allergy Preferences to Flight Attendant, Encompassing Prohibition of Coffee and Aversion to Jet Fuel Odors
A passenger on a flight notoriously known for exacerbating unusual behavior made headlines this week by presenting a list of allergy demands to a flight attendant, sparking criticism online for perceived entitlement. The incident was shared on the subreddit "r/ImTheMainCharacter," with many condemning the unidentified passenger as excessive and potentially deceptive.
The list, printed and signed by the seat holder (4A), demanded that no coffee be brewed during the flight due to the passenger's self-proclaimed allergy. "Even the scent can disrupt my breathing," they wrote. Furthermore, the passenger requested that no nuts be served on the plane due to their cashew intolerance. The demands did not stop there, as the passenger also asked for no fragrances or chemical odors - including cologne, perfume, soap, and body lotion. The list further extended to the request to not smell fuel, an impossible requirement for flight attendants.
Also, the passenger added a request for a large bottle of water at the start of the flight, stating that they needed to drink a lot due to their medications. "Thank you for your patience and understanding in trying to enhance my flight experience," they concluded, adding, "I appreciate you."
Online commentators were quick to criticize the passenger's self-absorbed attitude, with one user commenting, "The 'in trying to improve the flight experience for me,' while making it an unpleasant experience for the rest of the flight, is the cherry on top of this entitled milkshake."
Another Redditor with autoimmune-induced allergies said, "I hate this person. Allergies, in general, are misunderstood, and, in my experience, people are rude about them. It's people like this that make it even more challenging for those of us just trying to live safely and quietly."
A third commenter argued that the passenger's allergy claims were suspect, stating that there would still be remnants of coffee and potential exposure to allergens from other passengers. "If they insist on their health concerns being valid, then they should be removed from the flight for their safety."
Accommodating food allergies during a flight can be managed, according to experts. Airline passengers should contact the airline beforehand about accommodation requests, book the earliest flight, pack safe snacks, and use disinfectant wipes. Special meals can also be reserved in advance.
However, the passenger's extensive list of demands was unrealistic, given that flight attendants have limited capacity to cater to each passenger's idiosyncrasies. Fuel control is beyond their control, as is the scent of coffee carried by passengers. Flight attendants are often consistently overworked and underappreciated, dealing with the challenges of managing impatient and unruly passengers. According to reports, they simply do not have the leeway to adhere to every single passenger's requests.
Nia Tipton, a journalist with a degree in creative writing and journalism, reported the incident. Her coverage focuses on psychology, relationships, and the human experience.
Sources:
[1] Spokin (2021). Flying with food allergies: Tips and information for safer travel. [online] Available at: https://www.spokin.com/blog/flying-with-food-allergies-tips-and-information-for-safer-travel.
[2] CNN Travel (2019). Dealing with food allergies when flying: Airlines implement special policies for passengers with allergies. [online] Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/flying-with-food-allergies-peanut-free-zones/index.html.
[3] The Independent (2021). Flying with food allergies. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/flying-allergies-food-travel-advice-a8979876.html.
[4] Allergic Traveler (2019). 15 airplane travel tips for food allergies and celiac disease. [online] Available at: https://www.allergictraveler.com/blog/15-airplane-travel-tips-for-food-allergies-celiac/.
- The passenger's list of demands, extending to requests for no coffee, no nuts, no fragrances, and a large bottle of water, sparked debates about workplace-wellness and mental-health in the travel industry.
- Some online commentators questioned the sincerity of the passenger's health concerns, suggesting that their demands were more about lifestyle and fitness-and-exercise rather than genuine allergies.
- Nia Tipton, a journalist specializing in psychology, relationships, and the human experience, reported on the incident, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals with health-and-wellness issues in the context of travel.
- Experts advise airline passengers with allergies to contact their airline beforehand, book the earliest flight, pack safe snacks, use disinfectant wipes, and reserve special meals in advance for a safer travel experience.
- However, the passenger's extensive list of demands was criticized as unrealistic, given the limited capacity of flight attendants to cater to each passenger's idiosyncrasies.
- The incident brought attention to the need for therapies-and-treatments and improved policies for individuals with food allergies, particularly in the travel sector.
- Meanwhile, skin-care and self-care routines, such as wearing hygienic products and maintaining personal hygiene, were suggested as ways for passengers to prevent allergic reactions during travel.
