A Delta Air Lines passenger says she has been left embarrassed and feeling as if she is to blame after she was booted off a flight from Los Angeles to Boston because she told the flight attendants that she has severe food allergies.
Ellie Brellis took to TikTok in sobs of tears on Monday after being ejected from the nonstop flight to the East Coast despite telling airline staffers that she was specifically traveling to Boston to see her doctor due to her allergies.
In a now-viral video that has been viewed more than 89,000 times on the popular social media app, Ellie struggles to get her words out as she explains how she was booted off the Delta plane after already taking her seat.
“I am currently at LAX, and that is the plane I was sitting on to go home so I could go and see my doctor tomorrow morning because I have really, really serious health issues right now,” Ellie says in the video. “I did all the things you’re supposed to do to advocate for myself so I could have a safe flight.”
After explaining that she recently experienced a mild anaphylactic shock, Ellie continued: “I felt really embarrassed, and I was just trying to make sure that didn’t happen today. And somehow, I just got kicked off the plane for having an allergy.”
“I was just trying to explain the situation to someone, and they cut me off. I don’t want to be this person, I don’t want to be crying, I just want to be on the flight home so I can see my doctor and figure out why this is happening.”
In a second video, Ellie explains: “So, just to be clear, I was literally on the plane, and they escorted me off. They are putting me on the red-eye, but it’s a full flight, so they’re putting me in an aisle seat, but they can’t guarantee my safety.”
“They have to call Medaire, and I have to talk to a doctor, and he has to determine whether I’m fit to fly.”
Medaire is a specialist medical service based in Phoenix, Arizona which is used by many airlines around the world to provide emergency inflight support during medical emergencies, as well as ‘fit to fly’ decisions on he ground.
The way in which airlines treat passengers with severe nut or food allergies is becoming an increasingly contentious issue, and policies can vary massively from one carrier to the next.
Although most airlines no longer serve peanuts due to allergy fears, the official allergy policy from the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) puts the onus on passengers rather than airlines.
In simple terms, IATA says that airlines cannot guarantee a nut or allergen-free environment and that control measures, such as providing buffer zones or suspending the service of certain types of food, are not always possible.
As a result, IATA says passengers should seek advice from their doctor before getting on a plane and should carry appropriate medication with them. This policy has been adopted by many airlines around the world.
Delta suggests passengers with severe allergies should contact the airline ahead of their flight “to ensure a seamless experience from beginning to end.”
Unlike many US carriers, the Atlanta-based airline allows passengers with serious allergies to board the plane early in order to wipe down their seat area. The carrier also says it will try to accommodate seat changes that might be required due to allergy concerns.
Last month, an Allegiant Air passenger traveling with her son, who suffers from a severe allergic reaction to certain types of nuts, claims the pair were removed from a flight to Tampa because a flight attendant did not want to miss out on earning commission for sales of snacks that contained nuts.
Crystal Shelton from Washington State filed a formal complaint with the Department of Transportation against the Nevada-based low-cost carrier, accusing Allegiant Air of discriminating against passengers with disabilities following the July 7 incident aboard flight 205.
Sounds completely reasonable for Delta to remove pending a decision from Medaire, given possible liability.
Let’s see, passenger sitting in the plane saying they’d just recently been in anaphylactic shock, have serious medical concerns and are flying for medical treatment… Yeah, needs to come off and talk to Medaire. I have a feeling she probably overshared and hyped up the likelihood of having a severe medical issue, versus just “I have an allergy.”
Ask and ye shall receive…
MedAire is primarily used for in-flight assessments, so is plenty fast. There is no need to remove a passenger while you “wait on the assessment”. They clearly didn’t bother calling until after she was kicked off and said she still wanted to fly. And I would suspect that’s not Delta’s official procedure; at least I hope it’s not.
That said, if you have a severe allergy, you need to have an Epi-Pen with you if you go flying. Most airlines do not carry one; it’s not required equipment. On airlines that don’t carry one, you will almost definitely get kicked off if you don’t have your own. I don’t think that’s right either, but it’s the way things are, so if this woman did not have one, MedAire would likely have said to deny boarding as well.
That’s how it also sounds to me. Airlines makes these rules to protect everyone involved, including the passenger with the complaint.
💯💯🤷🏾♂️
Ha!! If they try to seat you with a person who supposedly has a Therapy Dog etc. The Dog has more rights than the paying human that is supposed to sit next to a dog. You can request a relocate but you may end up middle seat next to the toilets at the back of plane w the Stewardesses hangout. But if you say i an allergic to dogs!! Guess what once you declare that your allergic you will be removed from flight.
Agree with NedsKid! Yes yes yes
I couldn’t agree more.
Unfortunately she shouldn’t have said anything. I bring nuts to snack on with me and there is nothing wrong with dong that.
Especially when you can’t be bothered to care about anyone but yourself.
Actually Tony snacking on nuts is not a good thing to do at all. I have known people who can not be in the same room with nuts, let alone an enclosed space like an airplane for fear they with have an allergic reaction that can be life threatening. With Épi Pen available. So please rethink for snacking on flights.
I have some very severe food allergies (as in left restaurant on a stretcher; spent a few nights in ER after unknowingly being exposed) and am very careful myself, but some people have unreasonable expectations and these stories keep coming up:
You can’t have an allergic reaction to peanuts (or similar) via airborne contamination – this has been confirmed over and over and I have never found a single confirmed case over many decades. You need to actually consume them, even if trace amounts are sufficient.
So, it is unreasonable to ask other people to not serve/consume peanuts (or other nuts), ask for a “safe zone” etc. If you insist on it, despite the science saying otherwise, you probably shouldn’t use public transport…
Bring your medication (anti-histamine, epi pen). If you will potentially be exposed, take some anti-histamine preventively, clean the surfaces you are planning to eat from and bring your own food. Don’t eat the allergens, don’t touch them, don’t share plates/cutlery/glasses… Nobody else has to do anything for you to be safe.
It really is that simple…
I totally agree that adults have to be responsible and take care of themselves. Why should other travelers have to be inconvenience or responsible for another adult when using public transportation.
“You can’t have an allergic reaction to peanuts (or similar) via airborne contamination – this has been confirmed over and over and I have never found a single confirmed case over many decades. You need to actually consume them, even if trace amounts are sufficient.”
False.
Put your money where your mouth is. You say there are documented cases of airborne peanut allergies. Prove it.
In a processing plant where they are ground up and there is peanut dust in the air, it can happen. But that isn’t what you claim.
Present your documentation or retract your claim.
Self care is the individual’s responsibility and u seem to have covered it all.
Welp, she “advocated” for herself alright. This person is a nut and SHOULD have been kicked off.
How is having an actual allergy and informing people of that “nut” behavior?
I agree
You are a “person-of-size” so you wouldn’t get it. I retired early from a 30 year airline career because of the increase of nuts like you and “self-advocating” person – the traveling public is just too much these days.
I’m at risk of death unless your aircraft is free of any number of contaminants, can you guarantee my safety?
Wait, why can’t I fly? I have a right to make you responsible for my health!!!
The simple solution is wear an N95 mask. If it can stop co if it can stop a peanut
There was no need to be a big mouth. Just board, take yr seat & stfu… no need to gain sympathetic approach & tell staff you are very sick to see if they upgrade you to business class.. anyway it was a good try.. maybe it may, maybe it may work next time..
My thoughts exactly.
I’m a 60 year old lady and I can tell you what the real problem is here….. what we have here is an example of that entitlement mentality. The world doesn’t revolve around you!
Totally agree with you Sherry. This all about me and entitlement mentality has truly gotten out of control.
The other problem I have is that she was flying across the country to see an allergist in Boston, but there are lots of very good ones in LA. She needs to get a grip and see someone local instead of trying to inconvenience everyone else. I have had allergies all my life but I have never asked anyone else to accommodate my problems. I just deal with it and it’s fine. I am still unhappy that these people made airlines stop serving peanuts, which were way better that the crap they give you now.
I first read it as though she was going to Boston for a doctor’s appointment. It actually says she was returning home from Boston to go to an LA doctor. So in other words she would miss the appointment next day for the doctor. Guess it’s going to have to be rescheduled. .
Yup, Delta was correct. You may not be fit to fly and honestly to put out 150 for one person is selfish and unreasonable. You can’t find a Dr where you live, drive or move.
What is wrong with people these days?! You don’t get on a plane, then tell the crew “you’re most likely to die in their plane” cause you got some serious allergies and got nothing on you to stop it!
While having allergies and flying is not forbidden, you are required to let the Airline know upfront and have your own antidote! (that way, they won’t bring any nuts on board and won’t serve them. They will also announce to other passengers to not bring out their nuts)
Please, take your life more seriously next time.
That person knew she was not well and she wanted to board the plane. She has doctor’s certification on fitness to fly since she recently had anaphylactic shock? if she was to got on the plane and have another episode, is she going to sue the airline for damages and for not taking care of her? or have ushe signed something like “fly at your own risk” and indemnify the airline/staff/agents? i think the severe allergy matter should be raised at point of booking ticket and not when inside the plane.
She must have really scared the flight attendants with her allergens. They did what they felt was the right thing. If a taxi doesn’t want to carry a certain passenger (their right) the passenger does not (hopefully) make this an international scandal. She got her flight home. She’s not at all thankful to Delta airlines for putting her on a flight home. The world moves on with their lives, always…
Something “nutty” about this whole thing. The airline has no idea as to the severity of anyone’s medical issues. The airline is in the business of moving people from one place to another. They are not medical people. Thus, they rely on outside companies that specialize in medical issues that could be affected by flying. The airline must take the advice of the experts. The flight attendants are the first line of offense and defense on the plane. They must protect ALL of the passengers, to include the one with the allergy. Had she boarded and gotten sick, she could have easily blamed the airline for her problems. The airline must think of the safety of all passengers, not just the one. This is a case of a narcissist trying to gain notoriety by claiming discrimination and going after “deep pockets”.
I have Celiac Disease and I simply don’t eat anything when I am on a plane. I eat before I fly and have a meal at some point after I get to my destination. If you have severe food allergies, there really is no need to talk about it. Take control of your allergies yourself and stop telling airline personnel…it isn’t their problem or responsibility to protect you from something you can take care of yourself.
Same here! I bring my own food or eat before and after air travel. I realize some folks really struggle with food allergies, but if it is this bad , maybe don’t fly. Everyone on board does not need to be put out because of my health issues. For me it’s the good of the many over the good of the few.
She was trying to get attention and sympathy, not “advocate” for herself. Maybe this will teach her a lesson. FAFO.
We may be missing pieces of the puzzle as to why the passenger was remove from the plane . All
Is available to us is the tik tok made by the passenger. Discovery is an important part of understanding facts. The video is not discovery it is jus an emotional statement.
Shouldn’t have waited to tell them after you were seated. You know your problem and if it is so severe why didn’t you inform them in advance. No Pity here !
Yet another person who doesn’t think the rules apply to them, takes no responsibility for her actions or inactions, and expects the world to cater to her every need exactly when she wants it. Grow up! Delta was more concerned for her safety than she was.
I had this situation several years ago. As a passenger boarded the aircraft, she stopped and informed me, and I quote, “I’m allergic to everything. I want you to make an announcement that nobody can have peanuts…”and various other items which I can’t remember exactly.
As she continued to her seat, I turned and entered the cockpit to speak with the Captain. He stated, that for her safety, if she’s allergic to everything, we need a release from a physician, before she could fly.
When I relayed the information to her, she became extremely angry, and tried to recant her statement.
Unfortunately, we had to take her at her word, and for her safety, not permit her to fly without permission from a physician. She ended up raising such a stink, we had the police escort her from the aircraft.
I just flew on Delta from Minneapolis to Honolulu on 10/3 and they made an announcement of a severe allergy on board and asked the entire plane not to open any nuts and that they would not be serving any. This person sin this story should have known and contacted the airline in due time. Plus……her Dr is in Boston?