NEWYORK: Family Sues American Airlines Over Peanut -free Flight

Prada's Meadow · Jun 18th, 2008, 12:20 AM

The family said American Airlines gate agent promised her that no peanuts would be served, but after the plane was in the air nuts were handed out to first class passengers and sold in coach.

A New York family is suing American Airlines over a broken peanut promise.

Dr. Tehmina Haque, a Long Island ophthalmologist, says American promised that no peanuts would be served on her family's flight because of her son's severe peanut allergy.

Four-year-old Ryahn Khan's allergy is so severe that it can be triggered by airborne peanut dust.

Haque says an American Airlines gate agent promised her that no peanuts would be served, but after the plane was in the air nuts were handed out to first class passengers and sold in coach.

Luckily young Ryahn did not suffer a reaction to the nuts.

His parents say that if they are successful in their suit they will donate the entire judgment to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

American Airlines would not comment directly on the suit, but issued a statement saying they cannot guarantee that passengers won't be exposed to peanuts on their flights.

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story...0-676b15cdb1c1

mooks · Jun 18th, 2008, 05:26 AM

Why didn't they check BEFORE they flew and advised the booking agent when they booked their tickets.....ridiculous! If their child is that highly allergic they could just as easily have a reaction from someone bringing their own nuts on board or from eating a PB sandwich.

grayxie · Jun 18th, 2008, 09:06 AM

This was on an episode of Airport (I think that's what it was called) on A&E. A guy booked his flight, and checked if it would be a peanut free flight and was assured it was. He gets on the plane, and they served nuts which lead to an allergic reaction. The attendants on the flight say they were never notified of the peanut free status.

Jahpson · Jun 18th, 2008, 09:09 AM

thats absolutely ridiculous!!

they should have flown on a jet or something!!

Lawsuit is a waste of money and waste of time!!

lelgin · Jun 18th, 2008, 11:45 AM

This is totally ridiculous. People can bring snacks on planes, including nuts. Just because the airlines is not handing out nuts, does not insulate the child from being in a nut free environment. I almost always bring some kind of trail mix/ nut mix with me when I fly. The snack doesn't take up much room and it's very filling.

ilovepinkhearts · Jun 18th, 2008, 12:15 PM

wow....it looks cloudy out and the weather person said it was going to be sunny....i think i will sue...

mooks · Jun 18th, 2008, 02:40 PM

^^^ Love your sense of humour!

BagAngel · Jun 18th, 2008, 10:44 PM

They should be thankful that their son didn't have a reaction & stop this nonsense!

mytwocents · Jun 18th, 2008, 11:11 PM

Easy for people to say but if your child had this severe variation of this allergy you would take these steps too. How do you know she didn't also ask prior to booking it?

She is donating 100% of it she isn't looking to make money just set a precedent.
If a company is saying something then I agree they should uphold what they say.
However small the promise is. People in every other field are held to this standard why make an exception for this airline.

Also the point some are making here is not valid. Sure a person or two or three could be eating nuts but if you serve hundreds of people nuts at once then the ODDS of his condition worsening are much greater.

I am not going to say I would do that if I were her but, I have encountered people who sue over much much much stupider things and get away with it... so if she wants to file a lawsuit let her and let her deal with it.

Megs · Jun 19th, 2008, 02:15 AM

Honestly, airlines specifically say that they can make a flight allergen free.Just as schools can be peanut free, classrooms, etc. But it is HIGHLY important that they follow these promises, because it is talking about someone's life. Luckily the boy was ok, but anaphylactic shock is one of the worst feelings in the world. And it happens quick, and you can die in minutes. It is not something to mess around with. An airline needs to be much more clear about what they can and can not provide.

cola262 · Jun 19th, 2008, 02:53 AM

It was so dumb for some guy on the phone to promise that the flight will be peanut-free. He probably didn't even pass on the request. Someone will get fired over this, but airlines may not do much else.

Emotus · Jun 19th, 2008, 05:48 AM

It might seems ridiculous but imagine if its your child thats suffering from it. I understand that as a parent, of course you would want to protect your own child and note that the child allergy is severe!

And anyhow, the lady did check that the flight is a peanut free flight and was assured. Plus she's donating the money she get to charity.

mh21 · Jun 19th, 2008, 12:08 PM

I feel for the family, but is it realistic or even possible to make a flight peanut free particularly if it was done at the last minute (I am assuming it was last minute since the mother told the agent at the gate)? If the mother told the airline well in advance when booking the ticket then that is another story. Also, peanuts are standard on a flight, so if they weren't handed out what else would the flight attendants have to offer?

May be airlines/organisations shouldn't make statements about being peanut/allergen free if they can't keep their end of the baragain.

Since the boy is fine, what is there to sue for since we have a broken promise but no injury, well may be the fear of being injured?

~Fabulousity~ · Jun 19th, 2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megs

honestly, Airlines Specifically Say That They Can Make A Flight Allergen Free.just As Schools Can Be Peanut Free, Classrooms, Etc. But It Is Highly Important That They Follow These Promises, Because It Is Talking About Someone's Life. Luckily The Boy Was Ok, But Anaphylactic Shock Is One Of The Worst Feelings In The World. And It Happens Quick, And You Can Die In Minutes. It Is Not Something To Mess Around With. An Airline Needs To Be Much More Clear About What They Can And Can Not Provide.

Ita!

Jahpson · Jun 19th, 2008, 01:02 PM

Didn't the staff on the airline claim they were not aware that it was a peanut free flight?

and what if someone brought peanuts from home?

We are going to have to go with "majority rules" sorry

Jun 18th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#1
Prada's Meadow Global Moderator Location: New York New York	NEWYORK: Family Sues American Airlines Over Peanut -free Flight The family said American Airlines gate agent promised her that no peanuts would be served, but after the plane was in the air nuts were handed out to first class passengers and sold in coach. A New York family is suing American Airlines over a broken peanut promise. Dr. Tehmina Haque, a Long Island ophthalmologist, says American promised that no peanuts would be served on her family's flight because of her son's severe peanut allergy. Four-year-old Ryahn Khan's allergy is so severe that it can be triggered by airborne peanut dust. Haque says an American Airlines gate agent promised her that no peanuts would be served, but after the plane was in the air nuts were handed out to first class passengers and sold in coach. Luckily young Ryahn did not suffer a reaction to the nuts. His parents say that if they are successful in their suit they will donate the entire judgment to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. American Airlines would not comment directly on the suit, but issued a statement saying they cannot guarantee that passengers won't be exposed to peanuts on their flights. http://www.woai.com/news/local/story...0-676b15cdb1c1 __________________

Jun 18th, 2008, 05:26 AM	#2
mooks Cool Britannia! Location: On The Thames	Why didn't they check BEFORE they flew and advised the booking agent when they booked their tickets.....ridiculous! If their child is that highly allergic they could just as easily have a reaction from someone bringing their own nuts on board or from eating a PB sandwich. __________________

Jun 18th, 2008, 09:09 AM	#4
Jahpson oww! Location: The Playground	thats absolutely ridiculous!! they should have flown on a jet or something!! Lawsuit is a waste of money and waste of time!! __________________ Amazingly Sophisticated Happy Holidays to all my TPF friends!

Jun 18th, 2008, 12:15 PM	#6
ilovepinkhearts twilight: nov 21st Location: Texas	wow....it looks cloudy out and the weather person said it was going to be sunny....i think i will sue... __________________

Jun 18th, 2008, 02:40 PM	#7
mooks Cool Britannia! Location: On The Thames	^^^ Love your sense of humour! __________________

Jun 18th, 2008, 09:06 AM	#3
grayxie Member Location: PA	This was on an episode of Airport (I think that's what it was called) on A&E. A guy booked his flight, and checked if it would be a peanut free flight and was assured it was. He gets on the plane, and they served nuts which lead to an allergic reaction. The attendants on the flight say they were never notified of the peanut free status.

Jun 18th, 2008, 11:45 AM	#5
lelgin Member	This is totally ridiculous. People can bring snacks on planes, including nuts. Just because the airlines is not handing out nuts, does not insulate the child from being in a nut free environment. I almost always bring some kind of trail mix/ nut mix with me when I fly. The snack doesn't take up much room and it's very filling.

Jun 18th, 2008, 10:44 PM	#8
BagAngel LV Moderator Location: UK	They should be thankful that their son didn't have a reaction & stop this nonsense!

Jun 18th, 2008, 11:11 PM	#9
mytwocents Member	Easy for people to say but if your child had this severe variation of this allergy you would take these steps too. How do you know she didn't also ask prior to booking it? She is donating 100% of it she isn't looking to make money just set a precedent. If a company is saying something then I agree they should uphold what they say. However small the promise is. People in every other field are held to this standard why make an exception for this airline. Also the point some are making here is not valid. Sure a person or two or three could be eating nuts but if you serve hundreds of people nuts at once then the ODDS of his condition worsening are much greater. I am not going to say I would do that if I were her but, I have encountered people who sue over much much much stupider things and get away with it... so if she wants to file a lawsuit let her and let her deal with it.

Jun 19th, 2008, 02:15 AM	#10
Megs	Honestly, airlines specifically say that they can make a flight allergen free.Just as schools can be peanut free, classrooms, etc. But it is HIGHLY important that they follow these promises, because it is talking about someone's life. Luckily the boy was ok, but anaphylactic shock is one of the worst feelings in the world. And it happens quick, and you can die in minutes. It is not something to mess around with. An airline needs to be much more clear about what they can and can not provide. __________________ Enter our fabulous November giveaway sponsored by Adriana Castro!!!!

Jun 19th, 2008, 02:53 AM	#11
cola262 Member Location: NYC	It was so dumb for some guy on the phone to promise that the flight will be peanut-free. He probably didn't even pass on the request. Someone will get fired over this, but airlines may not do much else. __________________ Speedyshaper.com Solutions for your sagging bags.Since March 07

Jun 19th, 2008, 05:48 AM	#12
Emotus Member Location: Not so fine singapore	It might seems ridiculous but imagine if its your child thats suffering from it. I understand that as a parent, of course you would want to protect your own child and note that the child allergy is severe! And anyhow, the lady did check that the flight is a peanut free flight and was assured. Plus she's donating the money she get to charity.

Jun 19th, 2008, 12:08 PM	#13
mh21 Member Location: Texas	I feel for the family, but is it realistic or even possible to make a flight peanut free particularly if it was done at the last minute (I am assuming it was last minute since the mother told the agent at the gate)? If the mother told the airline well in advance when booking the ticket then that is another story. Also, peanuts are standard on a flight, so if they weren't handed out what else would the flight attendants have to offer? May be airlines/organisations shouldn't make statements about being peanut/allergen free if they can't keep their end of the baragain. Since the boy is fine, what is there to sue for since we have a broken promise but no injury, well may be the fear of being injured?

Jun 19th, 2008, 01:02 PM	#15
Jahpson oww! Location: The Playground	Didn't the staff on the airline claim they were not aware that it was a peanut free flight? and what if someone brought peanuts from home? We are going to have to go with "majority rules" sorry __________________ Amazingly Sophisticated Happy Holidays to all my TPF friends!