Southwest Airlines announced they’ll stop serving peanuts onboard their flights as of August 1, 2018, in order to be mindful of the impact of those customers with peanut/peanut-dust related allergies.
The airline is closely looking at their onboard offerings and even says that snack testing is underway now, so stay tuned for future updates, to see what new items we can expect to see onboard.
Here’s what Southwest adds:
We love peanuts at Southwest Airlines—we always have and we always will. Unfortunately, peanuts don’t love all of our Customers. To provide the best Hospitality and outstanding Customer experience for everyone, including those with peanut-related allergies, we’ll no longer serve peanuts beginning August 1.
Of course, we didn’t take this decision lightly. Peanuts are a huge part of our heritage. But at the end of the day, no one can argue that it’s our People and the Hospitality you deliver that set us apart, far more than peanuts ever could. When all our Customers—those with peanut-related allergies included—feel welcomed, cared for, and appreciated, that’s a hospitable environment. On top of that, recent research shows that Customers associate Southwest Airlines with our Heart more than our peanuts. That’s a win in my book.
Approximately 2% (6.5 million) of the U.S. population has a peanut or tree nut allergy, and up to 50% of those with peanut allergies also have nut allergies, so Southwest has decided its in their best interest to no longer serve peanuts.
The airline also allows customers with peanut and peanut-dust allergies to preboard so that they can wipe down seats and tray tables, which is something you might know.
Currently they rotate between Lightly Salted Peanuts and Honey Roasted peanuts, however at the end of the month these options will be no longer.
What are your thoughts about Southwest Airlines removing peanuts from their flights? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.Â
Hat Tip:Â CBS Dallas / Fort Worth
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I always enjoyed the honey-roasted, but not enough to risk other passengers dying. Seems like an unfortunate necessity given the proliferation of food allergies.
I’ll bring my own then.
I will miss honey roasted peanuts. Maybe they can serve cashews? No, too expensive.
In the 1980’s, United served macadamia nuts.
Solves nothing. People bring own all the time
People need to stop fighting natural selection.
I’m happy to hear that SW is eliminating peanuts as their snack, but as you can see from the other comments, this does not guarantee a peanut free environment. I’m seeing a lot of people stating on Twitter that SW is going “peanut-free” which isn’t accurate and a little dangerous to say.
What is very important is for SW to continue to allow individuals with anaphylactic food allergies (which isn’t limited to peanuts) to preboard so they can adequately wipe down their seats and tray tables. I’m sure that some don’t like the idea of individuals with food allergies preboarding, but life threatening food allergies are a disability and it takes a few minutes to adequately clean seats and trays. Not allowing those with food allergies to preboard will cause a slow down in the regular boarding procedure.
As one with allergies and asthma, I have to ask is the airline favoring those with allergies to peanuts and nuts and ignoring the 10% of the population with allergies to dogs and cats? Service animals and fauxservice animals can also endanger passengers, yet the airlines give them a pass.
A step in the right direction! Thank-you Southwest!
If you want pre-boarding to f*ck around with cleaning solutions, buy a better class of seat.