A BBC weather presenter who started the flight because of a nut allergy said the experience was “humiliating and desperate”.
Georgie Palmer, 49, was kicked off a SunExpress flight from London Gatwick to Dalaman in Turkey last Tuesday.
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Georgie Palmer and her family were kicked off a SunExpress flightCredit: Instagram
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The BBC weather forecaster slammed the airline in a post on Instagram. Credit: Instagram
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Georgie shared a snap of passengers supporting her Credit: Instagram
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Georgie is now demanding that airlines improve their allergy policies Credit: Instagram
Her husband Nick Sollom, 48, and their daughters Rosie, 12, and Annie, 14, were also ejected by the flight captain.
Georgie said staff refused to make the standard announcement asking passengers not to eat peanuts because her daughter has an anaphylactic allergy.
Instead she asked the passengers around her not to eat the peanuts and to pass on the message – which they happily did.
But the pilot reportedly requested family leave before taking off.
In an interview with Good Morning Britain, the BBC presenter said the whole experience was “absolutely humiliating and heartbreaking for my daughter”.
She said anaphylaxis was “scary” and called on airlines to improve their allergy policies.
She added that there was a “profound lack of clarity” about the allergy policy, but that after decades of flying, this was the first time they had had such a difficult experience.
Georgie said in previous years she would call ahead, follow the rules on the website and let the cabin crew know when they were boarding.
However, she said she tried to contact the airline in advance but was unable to get through.
Describing the incident, she told the Mail: “The way we were treated was disgusting. The captain decided because of my daughter’s allergy that he didn’t want to fly with her on board.
BBC star and her family boarded a flight after passengers were asked not to eat peanuts due to her daughter’s allergy
“When he found out I was talking to the other passengers, he screamed at me from the cockpit. He was so angry, the next thing I knew we were told to get off the plane.
“It’s really wonderful how every passenger on that plane was so wonderful, but no one who worked on that plane showed an iota of compassion.”
Writing on Instagram, Georgie previously said: “I thanked the beautiful souls on our plane for helping us.
“Many of them hugged, cheered and held our hands as we were forced to disembark.
“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.
“It was calm, serious and with an overwhelming sense of solidarity and empathy.”
Georgie added: “There’s no beef with simple questions like these. People get it!
“We were kicked off the plane after an angry little captain yelled at us from the cockpit.”
The family booked a hotel at the airport and took an EasyJet flight to Dalaman the next day – costing them an extra £5,000.
FLIGHT MARE
A SunExpress spokesman said: “We take the safety of our passengers very seriously.
“Shortly after boarding our flight, a passenger expressed concern that a member of his family had a severe peanut allergy.
“They asked for an announcement to the other passengers. We refrain from such announcements.
“Like many other airlines, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment on our flights.
“Nor can we prevent other passengers from bringing in food containing allergens.
“Due to the persistent behavior of the passengers towards the others on board, the captain decided that it would be safest for the family not to travel.
Traveling with allergies – expert advice
HERE are Anaphylaxis UK’s tips for flying safely if you are allergic:
- Organize travel insurance. An allergy declaration to your travel insurance provider is important, as failure to do so may result in your claim being refused and you will have to cover the cost of any medical treatment yourself. If you have additional questions about travel insurance, please visit your travel insurer’s website and/or contact them by email or phone.
- Make sure the airline you’re dealing with is the one actually operating the flight. Some are franchised to different airlines who may not have the same policies or may not be informed of special arrangements.
- Talk to the airline’s customer service in advance about their policy for passengers with food allergies. Make sure you fully understand what you need on the trip and what they expect from you (eg your own medicine, doctor’s note, etc.).
- Explain to the airline any potential problems that may arise. Do it calmly without making aggressive demands.
- If you have managed to secure special arrangements, ensure that they are in place for all connecting and return flights. Try to get a written confirmation and take copies of the airline’s letters with you when you fly.
- Request that your information be forwarded to the flight crew.
“When this was explained to the passenger, he behaved aggressively towards our crew members and tried to enter the cockpit.
“To ensure the safety of our crew and our passengers on board, we cannot tolerate aggressive and unruly behavior on our flights.
“Our website states that passengers must notify us 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.”
The spokesman added: “However, we are fully aware that this has been a distressing situation for the family.
“We are using the incident as an opportunity to review the information provided during the booking process.
“This will provide more effective solutions for travelers with allergies.”
Nick denies that he acted aggressively.
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Georgie had said in previous years that she would call beforehand and let the cabin crew know when she was boarding. Credit: Instagram
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She said she tried to contact the airline in advance but was unable to get credit: Instagram
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Georgie said the way staff treated them was ‘disgusting’Credit: Instagram
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