British Airways changes peanut allergy policy to be more passenger friendly

For a growing number of people, peanuts — the popular in-flight snack — are a nuisance at best, health risk at worst.

British Airways announced Tuesday that starting Feb. 18, the airline is changing its policy regarding peanuts and tree nuts on flights. 

When a passenger with allergies is on board, flight attendants will make an announcement "to inform customers, and to ask those in the vicinity to refrain from eating nut products,” the airline said in a statement.

The airline itself does not serve peanuts as snacks nor sell them onboard. 

However, the new policy is not an all-out ban on nuts. Passengers will still be able to bring their own peanuts, but if they are sitting near someone with an allergy, crew will ask them to keep snack bags closed.

Previously, British Airways had put much of the onus on passengers themselves: They were advised tell other passengers around them about their allergy, although the airline said cabin crew could also help further explain.

The new policy is in line with several other carriers that have become more sensitive to passengers with allergies.

Peanuts were first introduced by Southwest in 1971 as part of a promotion. As airlines tried to cut costs, peanuts began replacing meals. Today they have become inextricably linked with flying.

Upon the request of a passenger with allergies, WestJet and Virgin America will also make an announcement asking fellow passengers to refrain from eating peanuts, according to Allergic Living. JetBlue does not make an announcement to the entire plane, but when a passenger alerts them to an allergy, a flight attendant will ask passengers in surrounding rows to refrain from eating peanuts.

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