Petition calls for in-flight peanut-free ‘buffer zones’
The mother of a child with life-threatening peanut allergy is calling for federal regulators to impose a "buffer zone" for airline passengers with certain food allergies.
Lianne Mandelbaum, who says she was almost removed from a United Airlines flight last year because of her son’s condition is lobbying for nationwide rules after success in New Jersey last year, which now protects air travelers with peanut allergies.
A petition has gained over 14,000 signatures calling for a buffer zone to be created around allergy sufferers.
The buffer zone would prohibit snacks containing nuts to be sold to passengers in three rows in front of or behind an allergy sufferer.
It would also stop airlines removing passengers who report peanut allergies.
"I am not after a nut ban, just the ability to pre-board, wipe down the seat area, and make an announcement that will let everyone live with their own moral compass around me," Mandelbaum said.
Mandelbaum says the lobbying is slowly paying dividends.
WestJet is no longer serving peanuts and JetBlue will create a buffer zone if requested.
Other airlines have yet to respond and United Airlines has shown "no signs" of a change in policy, Mandelbaum said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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