Philippine Airlines (PAL) appears to be the first airline to designate specific seats on certain aircraft for passengers with severe nut allergies. This unusual feature, discovered while reviewing PAL’s seat maps, raises questions about the purpose and effectiveness of such accommodations. The practice, which involves marking seats in green on seat maps, is not currently explained in the airline’s official allergy protocols.
The Seats: What Are They?
On the Airbus A350-900, designated “nut allergy seats” include a single center aisle seat in business class, an aisle seat in premium economy, and a row at the rear of the forward economy cabin. The Boeing 777-300ER has two seats at the back of business class and a row in the center of the economy cabin marked for nut allergy sufferers. The selection criteria for these seats remains unclear, as they don’t follow a consistent pattern of isolation from other passengers.
Existing Airline Accommodations
Most airlines address nut allergies through basic measures such as announcements to other passengers, allowing early boarding to wipe down surfaces, or avoiding serving nuts in-flight. However, no other major carrier currently designates specific seating for allergy sufferers. This makes PAL’s approach unique, yet unexplained.
Why the Confusion?
The purpose of these seats is ambiguous. While some might assume they offer maximum distance from potential allergen exposure, many are located in high-traffic areas of the cabin. The airline’s allergy information page does not mention these seats, leading to speculation about whether they are a formal accommodation or an internal, undocumented practice. The lack of transparency raises questions about whether the seats offer actual protection or are simply symbolic.
Bottom Line
Philippine Airlines is the first airline to designate seats for passengers with nut allergies, but the practical benefits of this accommodation remain unclear. Without further explanation from the carrier, it’s difficult to assess the value of these seats, and whether they provide meaningful protection against severe allergic reactions.
