Free Preboarding On American Airlines: Claim Nut Or Tree Nut Allergy + Bring Wipes!

There was an interesting filing this week by DOT that had combined two complaints against American Airlines into one.

Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) claimed that American Airlines violates Air Carrier Access Act when it doesn’t allow passengers with allergies to board early in order to wipe seating areas. The second complaint dealt with peanut allergy.

You can access American Airlines here.

Here’s the DOT complaint:

Download (PDF, 135KB)

And here’s the most relevant part:

On November 6, 2018, American filed a notice in both dockets indicating that effective December 12, 2018, it will revise its policies and procedures to allow passengers with peanut and tree nut allergies to preboard in order to wipe down seating areas. American did not concede a violation of Part 382. American indicated that its change in policy would better accommodate passengers with food allergies.

Conclusion

Those wishing to preboard on American Airlines and don’t like to pay for the privilege or don’t have status can just claim to have nut or tree nut allergy. Problem solved!

Not sure what proof American Airlines requires or can require passengers to have beyond bringing some wipes?