EDINBURGH- A young British couple says they were compelled to leave their aircraft and miss their holiday due to a dispute with cabin crew. The incident occurred at Edinburgh Airport (EDI) on Saturday, 25 October, when the couple, booked to travel with KLM (KL) on the flight to Amsterdam (AMS).
The couple says their severe nut and peanut allergies were ignored by the airline staff. According to the pair, despite informing KLM in advance and upon boarding, the crew continued to distribute almond-topped cakes and announced that no special in-flight announcements would be made.
KLM Removes British Couple
The couple, identified as Ms Pretoria Drever and Mr Rhonan Kelly, say they had no real choice but to disembark and abandon the trip, scheduled as a two-day holiday to Amsterdam to celebrate Rhonan’s 25th birthday.
The pair had completed the airline’s online allergy disclosure form, emphasized their airborne risk, and arrived two hours early at EDI to notify staff.
They allege that once aboard the aircraft, they asked for an announcement to passengers not to open nut-containing products and for staff to withhold nut-topped snacks.
They say the cabin manager refused, citing KLM’s policy that nut products would still be sold and served. When the free “cookie”-type offering turned out to be a banana loaf topped with almonds, the couple said they felt their safety was compromised.
Mr Kelly’s words were quoted in The Mirror:
I’ve never felt so discriminated against in all my life. I honestly believe if we took off … we’d have probably died on the flight.
Ms Drever, who works in car insurance and risks anaphylaxis within minutes of exposure, added that the experience has put her off flying altogether.
KLM Response and Policy
KLM said it “is sorry to hear” about the couple’s distress but clarified that while staff can request fellow passengers to keep nut products sealed, they “cannot control or prohibit other passengers from consuming products that may contain nuts” onboard.
The airline noted that a nut-free environment cannot be guaranteed. When notified of a nut allergy, KLM says it can make an onboard announcement—but in this case, the couple maintain that no such announcement was made upon their request.
The airline’s statement recognized the seriousness of nut allergies yet affirmed:
while we do our utmost to support passengers with allergies, we unfortunately cannot guarantee a nut-free environment on board.
Impact on Travelers and Future Travel
Missing their short break to Amsterdam, the couple now hope to claim a refund and say they will no longer fly with KLM. They expressed frustration at paying the same fare yet feeling “less than” other passengers.
The incident has raised questions about how airlines accommodate severe airborne allergen risks and what protocols exist when a passenger’s safety concerns clash with cabin service logistics.
With airborne nut allergies recognized as life-threatening in some cases, travel insiders note that many carriers rely on passenger cooperation rather than full nut-free zones because of stock, cost, and service constraints.
Some allergy advocacy groups argue that clearer communication and stricter in-flight snack policies are urgently needed.
Bottom Line
The incident involving the couple and KLM highlights a critical tension in aviation: balancing standard in-flight service and the accommodation of passengers with severe airborne allergies.
While the airline offered a partial remedy, the couple’s decision to leave emphasizes the trust gap that can occur when safety expectations are unmet.
For travelers with life-threatening allergies, this serves as a caution to verify in-flight allergen protocols and push for explicit confirmation of measures before boarding.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
