Peanut Allergy

Peanut Allergy

Some passengers may have allergic reactions to peanuts. Due to operational and supplier limitations, Cathay Pacific Airways cannot under any circumstances guarantee a peanut-free environment to passengers either in our aircraft cabins or airport lounges. If you require a peanut-free environment, Cathay Pacific Airways cannot provide this.

Peanut snacks
Peanut snacks are an integral part of the Cathay Pacific service. However, from 1 October 2010, passengers with peanut allergy can request that non-peanut containing cocktail snacks be served in their class of service on a Cathay Pacific flight.  

Provided Cathay Pacific receives a properly documented request no less than 72 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure, Cathay Pacific will endeavour to provide cocktail snacks not containing peanuts to all passengers in the same cabin (i.e. first, business or economy).  Please direct your request to your local CX reservation Office and submit a completed MEDA form in reference to the passenger’s condition.

Passengers with peanut allergies are notified that these alternative snacks which do not contain peanuts may still contain traces of nuts or seeds which are commonly noted allergens.   

Please be aware that there might be unpredictable circumstances such as flight disruptions due to weather or mechanical problems that may call for a last minute aircraft switch or change in your itinerary. In these circumstances we may not be able to guarantee the replacement snacks. We will however do our best to accommodate your needs.

Peanut-free meals

Cathay Pacific Airways serves meals in which peanut based products may be an ingredient.  Moreover, Cathay Pacific cannot guarantee against cross-contamination of peanut products within the various flight kitchens and catering services we use throughout our network. This is because peanut-based ingredients, peanut oil and non-specified peanut containing trace elements are widely used throughout the Asia Pacific region.   In view of this, it is with regret that Cathay Pacific Airways cannot guarantee against cross-contamination of peanut products within the inflight-catering network, and therefore cannot provide peanut-free meals. Passengers who require peanut –free meals are recommended to bring their own food items that do not require chilling or reheating inflight.

Peanut-free cabin

Cathay Pacific Airways cannot guarantee a peanut-free aircraft cabin.  Likewise, Cathay Pacific cannot prevent passengers from bringing their own peanut products on board, and cannot insist that they do not open or eat them.  We are also unable to modify the cabin environment due to individual passenger requests and cannot make general announcements requesting other passengers to refrain from eating peanuts.
Cathay Pacific’s regular post-flight cleaning cannot remove residual peanut traces that may be left in aisles, common areas or on seats from previous flights.  Passengers with documented peanut allergies can, subject to operational limitation, request priority boarding and bring their own cleaning wipes to wipe down their seating area.

Before you fly

We encourage passengers to consider the possibility of exposure to peanut products or traces when flying, especially if they accept inflight snack or meal services.

Should passengers feel that they need a flight environment with reduced peanuts, Cathay Pacific then requires a completed MEDA form stating that their condition does not pose serious risks in a flight environment, in which some peanut products may be present.  Passengers are required to contact their local CX reservations office and submit the physician-completed medical clearance (MEDA) form at least 72 hours prior to departure, so that their fitness to travel may be assessed and the request for non-peanut containing cocktail snacks (to be served in your cabin on your particular flight) can be submitted.

Passengers with peanut allergies are recommended to take steps to minimise their potential exposure and to take all necessary precaution to prepare for the possibility of exposure – including, but not limited to:

• Bringing their own food items that do not require any chilling or re-heating inflight;
• Wearing a medical alert bracelet;
• Carrying appropriate anaphylaxis treatment prescribed by their physician that can be self administered, including ready-for-use epinephrine (Epi-pens) or other medications. Travel companions, guardians or family members are expected to administer treatment should it be required. If they are not available, the affected passenger is expected to self-administer prescribed treatment specifically prescribed by their physician;
• Further, due to the heightened security environment, if passengers are advised by their physician to carry a syringe or medication in their carry-on luggage, they should obtain a letter from their physician to certify this. Please also ensure that ALL medications are professionally labelled with the passenger’s name and the medication name clearly identified.

Passengers may wish to print this page and take it to their physician for discussion prior to their booking. If their physician has further questions or concerns, they should contact the local reservations office.

Related Links
IATA Information for Allergen-Sensitive Passengers