A BBC presenter canceled her flight to Turkey because of her daughter’s allergy
- Author, Vincent McAviney
- The role, BBC London
A freelance BBC weather presenter says she was kicked off a flight from London Gatwick to Turkey after asking passengers not to eat peanuts.
Georgie Palmer, 49, says she and her family were kicked off a SunExpress flight to Dalaman on May 21 after making a claim because of her daughter’s allergy.
Posting on social media, she said the SunExpress crew ignored her requests to announce all passengers – so instead she spoke to people around her during the flight.
SunExpress said it took passenger safety seriously, but said the airline refrained from making announcements like the one requested by Ms Palmer because it “cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment”.
Anaphylactic reaction
Mrs Palmer boarded the flight with her husband Nick Sollom, 48, and daughters Rosie, 12, and Annie, 14.
She told the BBC that the family had asked the crew to announce that no one should consume peanuts because of Rosie’s anaphylactic reaction.
She posted on Instagram: “The SunExpress captain and cabin crew refused to make the standard announcement on behalf of our daughter.
“We gently asked the passengers in the front of the plane to share our request.
“Row by row, all passengers turned to politely ask the row behind not to eat nuts during the flight.”
Ms Palmer said she was “calm” and that “nobody who worked on that plane showed an iota of compassion”.
According to the NHS, anaphylaxis can start within minutes of coming into contact with something you’re allergic to, such as food, medicine or an insect sting.
Symptoms include swelling of the throat and tongue, which can make breathing difficult.
“Let it be crystal clear”
Speaking after her ordeal, Ms Palmer told BBC London that she was “horrified” that they would not go public and that staff had become “very defensive”.
“I’m asking the aviation industry as a whole to take notice.
“What’s your nut policy – make it crystal clear on your website.
“Give your passengers the choice to know if it’s safe to fly with you.
“As we know, you can never enforce a completely nut-free environment – can we not take a leaf out of the book of restaurants that are going to great lengths these days to keep people safe?”
In a statement, a SunExpress spokeswoman acknowledged that Mrs Palmer had raised concerns about her daughter’s severe peanut allergy and her request for publication.
“We refrain from making these announcements because, like many other airlines, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment on our flights, nor prevent other passengers from bringing food containing allergens onto the plane.
“Due to the persistent behavior of the passengers towards others on the plane that they should not consume nuts, the captain decided that it would be safest for the family not to travel on our flight.
“When this was explained to the passenger, he showed aggressive behavior towards our crew members and tried to enter the cockpit.
“To ensure the safety of our crew and passengers, we do not tolerate aggressive or rude behavior on our flights.”
SunExpress admitted the ordeal had been “distressing” for Ms Palmer and her family, adding that the airline was “verifying information provided” during the booking process.
The Turkish-German airline said its website states that all passengers must notify SunExpress 48 hours in advance of any special care required due to a medical condition.
“In this case, no such notification was received from the passenger,” SunExpress added.
Absolute nonsense
Ms Palmer says claims they have become aggressive are “absolute nonsense” and hopes passengers on the flight will support her.
“That’s just not true,” she said. – There was no aggressive behavior on our part.
She added that she tried to contact SunExpress before the holidays, but it was very difficult for her to reach someone from the airline.
She added that her husband did not try to enter the cockpit. She explained that the pilot had previously spoken to them, but that he had closed the cockpit. Mr Sollom knocked on the door hoping to speak to him again.
The family ended up taking an EasyJet flight to a Turkish resort the next day and said the crew issued several announcements asking passengers not to open peanut packets on the plane.
However, Ms Palmer said they were forced to spend an extra £5,000 booking extra flights, airport hotels and other costs.
Airlines including British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 say that on request, cabin crew will make an announcement and will not serve the insane.
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