Virgin Atlantic TailfinVirgin Atlantic Logo

Travelling with food allergies

We’re here to help you fly with confidence.

How we cater to allergies

Your health, safety and comfort is the most important thing to us. If you have allergies, we’ll do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy your flight without worrying about a thing. Make sure you contact us in advance of your flight so we have plenty of time to arrange everything you need. 

Tell us about your allergy

Our approach to allergens: what you need to know

We follow European and UK food legislation allergen guidance; we may be different from other countries. The allergens declared refer to ingredients only, and food may contain traces of allergens since they're processed on or with equipment that makes products that may contain allergens.

Because of that, we can't guarantee the absence of food allergen or peanut traces in our meals, onboard and in our lounges. You can get a list of food allergens contained in meals served on all our flights from your cabin crew.

Our suppliers are based all around the world, and not every country has the same legal requirements for providing allergen information. On flights to the UK, allergen labelling on pre packaged items may not reflect all of the allergens required to be declared in the UK. For passengers flying from the US, we also adhere to the three additional nuts listed under US allergen advisory information.

Peanuts are never knowingly included in any of our meals onboard. However, our meals are not produced in a nut-free environment, so may contain traces.

All other nuts may also be served on our flights to other passengers as part of the menu ingredients and/or the snack service, in any cabin. We also can’t stop other passengers from bringing (or eating) their own food onboard, which may include nuts.

In view of the above, we strongly encourage you to take all necessary precautions to prepare for the possibility of inadvertent exposure.

Precautions when travelling with an allergy

  • Severe life-threatening allergic reactions on board are rare. If you have an allergy that could result in an anaphylactic reaction you should carry your medication, such as antihistamines or an Adrenaline Auto-Injector (AAI) such as an EpiPen, in your hand baggage. If you're prescribed an EpiPen, you should carry two of these in your hand baggage and ensure they're in date.
  • If you've had an allergic reaction within 30 days of travel, please contact Accessible Travel Services to let them know.
  • If we’re unable to cater for your specific dietary needs, you’re welcome to bring your own food onboard. Just let our Accessible Travel Services team know, they can increase your hand baggage allowance to make room. We can’t refrigerate or heat any food you bring with you, so make sure it’s good to go as is. And don’t forget, any food you travel with must comply with airport security and the customs rules of your destination.
  • We’re unable to customise onboard meals or alter ingredients based on individual requests. We can’t guarantee an allergen free environment as other customers may also bring their own food, which is outside of our control. If you have specific concerns about travelling with an allergy, we recommend speaking with your doctor before you fly. 
  • If you have emergency treatment plan please take it with you.
  • In order to reduce delays through security, clearly label your medication to show who it should be administered to ideally in original packaging.
  • You’re welcome to preboard the aircraft during when pre boarding is announced. This gives you extra time to get settled and wipe down your seat and tray table, if you wish. Please bring your own suitable wipes and gloves.
  • Ensure your medication is easily accessible throughout the flight, e.g. place it in the seat pocket or on you personally.
  • Please carry a copy of your repeat prescription from your Doctor or have access to your NHS App.

More about allergies

Your wellbeing is our priority, and having your medication on hand helps us make your journey as safe and comfortable as possible.

If you live with an allergy that could cause a severe reaction, it’s essential you keep your medication close at hand. That means carrying it in your hand luggage; not checked in.

We recommend taking the following precautions when travelling with an allergy:

If you have an allergy that could result in an anaphylactic reaction you must carry your medication, such as antihistamines or Adrenaline Auto Injectors, such as an Epi-Pen, in your hand luggage. If you are prescribed an Adrenaline Auto Injector (such as an Epi-Pen)you must carry 2 of these in your hand luggage and ensure they are in date. 

If you’ve had an allergic reaction within 30 days prior to your flight, please contact us.

Your wellbeing is the most important thing to us. If you have allergies, we’ll do everything we can to make sure you can enjoy your flight without worrying about a thing. Make sure you contact us in advance of your flight so we have plenty of time to arrange everything you need. 

In-flight meals

We offer delicious meals to cater for guests needing to avoid potential allergens, including seafood, dairy, eggs & gluten.

We source our food from all around the world. Ingredients that are considered potential allergens in the UK may differ from those in other countries, so please be aware that packaging on food may not list all the allergens included in UK legislation on UK-bound flights.

Food in our Clubhouses

We offer delicious meals, snacks & drinks on our Clubhouse menus. Options are available for guests needing to avoid potential allergens, including seafood, dairy, eggs & gluten. Please let your server know and they will be happy to help.

Our Clubhouses do serve loose nuts and peanuts are present in the space. We cannot guaruntee a nut free environment.

If you have food allergies you can bring your own food on board. You'll need to let our accessible travel team know and they can increase your hand luggage allowance for you to do so.

If you have a food allergy, our cabin crew can provide information on the allergens present in the meals we serve once you’ve boarded the aircraft. Where possible, meal packaging may also display this information.

For your peace of mind, we also offer the option to pre-board if you’d like additional time to prepare your seat area. This allows you to wipe down your seat surfaces and tray tables before other customers board. Please note that you’ll need to bring your own suitable wipes for this.

If you’d like to take advantage of pre-boarding, simply make yourself known to our airport ground staff, and they’ll be happy to assist you.

While we do everything we can to support customers with allergies, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment on board. Other passengers may bring their own food onto the aircraft, and in some cases, meals containing tree nuts or tree-nut based snacks may be served in certain cabins, depending on the aircraft type.

We follow the guidance set out by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to support allergen-sensitive passengers and to help make your journey as safe and comfortable as possible.

We are not a nut free airline

For customers bringing their own food onboard, not provided by the airline, we are unable to store your food in our onboard fridge, or heat any food items you bring with you. Please remember that any food you bring must align with security and immigration regulations regarding the transport of food into another country.

Our in-flight meals do not contain peanuts or peanut products. However, please be aware that they may be prepared in facilities where peanuts are handled, and we are unable to provide a peanut-free alternative meal.

At this time, we’re also unable to offer alternative meals that are free from sesame, tree nuts, lupin, soya, sulphites, mustard, or celery.

For customers with multiple allergens or specific dietary needs, a fruit platter meal may be a suitable option. While this is available on all flights, it cannot be guaranteed to be prepared in an allergen-free environment.

Although we cannot promise a completely allergen-free cabin, our crew will do everything they can to support you. Upon request, they can make an announcement to inform other passengers should you have a peanut allergy. Please also note that no loose nut snacks are served in any cabin of travel.

During our preboarding announcement for customers with specific needs, you are welcome to pre-board the aircraft so that you can wipe down your seat surfaces and tray tables. You must bring your own wipes. Please make yourself know to the ground staff at the airport.

When boarding the aircraft you must inform cabin crew of your food allergy.

We can notify our cabin crew as to the nature of your allergies, so please get in touch with us as soon as you can. 

Please share information on your allergies with cabin crew upon boarding your flight. Information about the allergens in the meals served on your flight is available on board in the allergen guide specific to that flight on that day.

Helping to choose the right meal

We proudly source our food from around the world, but please be aware that ingredients classed as allergens in the UK may differ in other countries. This means that packaging on food served on UK-bound flights may not always list every allergen recognised under UK legislation.

All specific dietary requirement meals require pre-ordering at least 24 hours in advance (48 hours for kosher meals).

Dairy
We offer a low lactose meal, which excludes cheese, dairy products, lactose and milk derivatives. Our vegan meal also excludes all dairy ingredients.

Eggs
Our in-flight meals may contain eggs or egg products. The vegan meal does not contain any added eggs or egg products.

Gluten
We provide a gluten intolerant* alternative that excludes wheat, wheat flour, barley, oats, rye, bread, cakes (unless wheat-free), pastry, sausages, or any flour-based products.  *Gluten intolerant meal may be made or served in the same environment as gluten containing food items. Not suitable for guests with a wheat allergy.

Not suitable for guests with a wheat allergy.Peanuts
Our in-flight meals do not contain peanuts or peanut products. However, they may be produced in facilities where peanuts are handled, so we are unable to guarantee a peanut-free option.

Peanuts are not used in our Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses. However, some shared or third-party lounges may serve them. Please check with staff when you arrive.

Seafood
Some in-flight meals may contain seafood. Our vegetarian and vegan meals do not contain seafood.

Sesame
Our meals may contain sesame. At this time, we do not offer a sesame-free alternative.

Tree nuts
Meals may contain tree nuts, such as walnuts and cashews. We are unable to offer a tree nut–free alternative.

Other food sensitivities
We are unable to alter meals or ingredients once onboard. We also cannot control what other customers may bring on board, so we cannot guarantee an allergen-free cabin environment.

If you have concerns about travelling with your allergy, please speak with your Doctor before flying and contact us so we can support you as best we can.

We can only supply the meals outlined in our alternative meal options.

We do not offer alternative meal options for allergies not listed in our alternative meal options. We are therefore unable to guarantee that a suitable meal will be available on board.

For guests with multiple food allergies, we cannot offer any variation on the alternative meal options provided.

If our meals don’t meet your needs, you are welcome to bring your own food on board. Just remember that it must comply with airport security rules and the immigration regulations of your destination country.