British woman, 26, was ‘kicked off American Airlines flight to New York because of her nut allergy’

A British woman has claimed her severe allergy to nuts meant she was kicked off a flight after cabin crew members told her first class passengers had to be served the complimentary snacks.

Electrical engineer Sophie Draper, 26, had been flying to JFK Airport in New York from Heathrow in December – but alleges she was discriminated against and was not allowed to board the plane with her boyfriend.

Ms Draper, who is also a PhD researcher at Durham University, claimed ‘blunt’ American Airlines staff told her they were ‘contractually obliged’ to serve mixed nuts in business class.

It was also not part of the company’s policy to make an announcement about food allergies while on board, she later alleged.  

In a Twitter thread after her ordeal, Ms Draper described the company as a ‘dangerous airline for people with food allergies,’ and slammed their ‘heartless’ policy.

Electrical engineer Sophie Draper, 26, had been flying to JFK Airport in New York from Heathrow in December – but alleges she was discriminated against because of her nut allergy and was not allowed to board the plane

Ms Draper traveled to Heathrow with her boyfriend in December 2021 and told staff of her nut allergy. She says her explanation was met with ‘confused looks’ by American Airlines employees on the departure gate, who asked her if it ‘would be ok if people around [her] could still eat nuts’

Ms Draper traveled to Heathrow with her boyfriend in December 2021 and told staff of her nut allergy.

She says her explanation was met with ‘confused looks’ by American Airlines employees on the departure gate, who asked her if it ‘would be ok if people around [her] could still eat nuts’.

After Ms Draper told them her severe allergy was airborne and she could suffer an adverse reaction, she alleges the employees scoffed at the idea of banning nuts from the plane.

One allegedly told her: ‘Well, they’re not going to stop serving nuts on the aircraft… I really doubt that’s gonna happen’. 

When the couple raised their concerns with the head of the flight’s cabin crew, they were told American Airlines were ‘contractually obligated to serve hot mixed nuts in first class’.

Asking about a potential anaphlactic reaction onboard, the cabin crew is alleged to pointed at her boyfriend and responded: ‘He knows how to use your epi-pen, right?’  

After Ms Draper told them her severe allergy was airborne and she could suffer an adverse reaction, she alleges the employees scoffed at the idea of banning nuts from the plane.

American Airlines urged all passengers with allergies to take the ‘necessary medical precautions’ before flying

A spokesperson for American Airlines said: ‘Protecting the health and safety of those who fly with us is our priority, and it’s essential to our purpose of caring for our customers as they travel. 

‘We regret that we disappointed Ms Draper and her travel partner during this trip, and our team has reached out to apologise and hear more about their experience.’

American Airlines does not serve peanuts in flight, but it also said it ‘can’t guarantee’ customers won’t be exposed to nuts during their voyage.

The company has also urged all passengers with allergies to take the ‘necessary medical precautions’ before flying.