FlightAware is reporting that an unscheduled Dreamliner flight is en route from Honolulu to Singapore. There have been so many recent flight diversions; this one only ended up in Hawaii due to a life-threatening situation.
The flight from San Francisco to Singapore, normally 8,446 miles long and taking about 16 hours, is one of its longest. But this time, due to a medical emergency, it flew just 8 1/2 hours before turning back to Honolulu.
It was reported that a passenger may have suffered dangerous shock as a result of a peanut allergy. The flight left San Francisco at 11:21 PM and arrived in Honolulu at 4:53 AM Sunday. Following a very long delay, perhaps due to crew rest requirements, it departed Hawaii at 12:28 AM Monday and is due into Changi at 5:46 AM Tuesday (Singapore time).
UAL told passengers that the cause of the diversion was a medical emergency. We aren’t sure when the emergency arose, but the flight was already perhaps 1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu when the decision was made to divert back to Hawaii. It was reported that the issue was a potentially life-threatening nut allergy.
Why did the flight divert to Hawaii?
It appears from the flight map that the plane was actually closer to Midway Atoll than it was to Honolulu when the decision was made to return to Hawaii. Why?
Midway is the tiny island poised virtually halfway between Asia and North America, which was almost directly in line with the UAL flight course. Midway, of course, is also the site of the famous WWII battle. At one point, long ago, it was a regular stop on Pan Am’s routes. The US Naval Base there closed years ago and the island is now managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Some 1,300 miles NW of Honolulu, Midway Atoll consists of three little islands encased within a barrier reef. To this day it remains an FAA-approved emergency landing site for airlines. It is also home to seabirds, green sea turtles, and monk seals.
Midway is now closed to the public and no visitors are allowed. Only a small number of people live there, and medical care is provided at a clinic. The nearest major hospital is in Honolulu, which is likely the reason for the choice of diversion, among other things. It isn’t clear just how well crew and passengers can be accommodated on Midway at this point.
Read on for the allergy policies of all airlines flying to Hawaii.
United Airlines is one of the airlines that no longer serve peanuts on its flights. But of course, that doesn’t mean that someone might not have carried on their own peanuts, for which there is no prohibition.
It has been long-recommended that when traveling, passengers with severe food allergies carry their pwn epi pen and advise the cabin crew of the situation. While the airlines all carry epinephrine for allergies in their emergency medical preparations, a healthcare professional is required for its administration.
Food allergies on flights.
Some of the most common food allergies with which passengers could possibly come in contact include eggs, milk peanuts, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat. More than 30M Americans are said to suffer from food allergies.
EpiPens.
Passengers are permitted by TSA guidelines to bring EpiPens on a flight. Obviously, those should be in carry-on luggage. Should shock occur, it is good to have someone with you or a flight attendant aware of the situation.
Allergy policies of airlines flying to Hawaii.
None of the airlines flying to Hawaii will guarantee an allergen-free environment. Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, and Southwest all avoid serving peanuts. But whether in fact, some traces of peanut products or other nut products are present in their food, is not guaranteed.
Midway needs to be equipped to handle medical emergencies. It is bad to be so close to an emergency field but not equipped for a medical emergency. Perhaps it is time for someone else to be in charge of Midway Island.
When stationed on Midway in the mid ‘60’s, there were doctors assigned to the island for all Naval and other personnel. However, once the Fish and Wildlife Service gained control of the island, medical help became severely inadequate. Midway is now the only National Monument that is inaccessible to the general public. Control should be returned to the armed forces, allowing FWS considerably less control power.
There would still be an emergency since the passenger could carry EpiPen but only in the luggage…also the Airlines do carry EpiPen but only medical professional can administer the medicine. Please advise the Airlines of the situation and revise the rules.
Chris M. As someone who has to carry two due to severe reactions and the potential of a reoccuring attack from bee stings, I completely understand the cost. I learned years ago after expressing this to my MD that I couldn’t afford them. He said there is now a generic that works great and made me promise to pick up the rx. Costs me about $20 per two pack. Please keep yourself safe and look into alternative options, such as donated pens. My last sting I took two shots of Epi and I had a reoccurance the next morning and needed another. If I hadn’t had the pens I would not be here.
As far as flying and for someone who lives in HI I make sure I have at least 2-3 current pens at all times.
Last March o our flight from Kona to Portland there was some sort of medical emergency. The decision was made to continue on to Portland where we arrived arther early. Medics came aboard and transported the patient off while we all (calmly) waited before deplaning. They were still working on the patient in the boarding area when we passed by. Because the patient was in the rear of the plane they closed off this lavatories and requested that we go forward. Flight crew handled the situation well and the passengers al seemed cooperative. Was on Alaska.
It is not true that United “does not” serve peanuts on their flights anymore. I recently was on a United flight, mainland to Hawaii, where they offered me peanuts in first class. And I do have allergies to all nuts and do carry the EpiPen. But I still wish they weren’t in the environment. They could easily serve pretzels or an alternative…or nothing and I’d be okay with that decision. Same for meals or desserts with nuts.
Hi Lee.
Thanks for letting us know. UAL’s website states they do not serve peanuts.
Aloha.
I have peanut dust allergies, meaning that the smell of peanuts or peanut products cause an allergic reaction without consuming any of peanut products. I’ve asked flight attendants to tell passengers of this. One time, my mom was with me on a Southwest flight and the man next to her took out a package of peanuts. My mom told him to put them away and told of my allergy. Luckily he did what was asked. It’s scary and epic-pens are very very expensive now. They are high tiered so one must pay a lot out of pocket to get one. I don’t have one any more due to this.
As a physician, I always carry emergency instruments and supplies when I fly. I let the flight attendants know as I board the airplane what seat I am in. I have performed 6 full resuscitations andattended to more than 40 questionable situations (yes, I fly a great deal). It’s always a great relief to the staff when I identify myself and I encourage all medical personnel to do so. At least carry a pulse oximeter. If the patient is getting oxygen to their finger, it’s likely the heart and lungs are working.I have given these tiny devices to many flight attendants so when they have to call in to their base physician they can give them the most important information of all to decide whether to divert or not.
It is called “anaphlactic shock”, not just shock! A person with a food allergy knows the symptoms and sensations as it is starting and they can indeed use their own epi pen with or without medical assistance.
Perhaps there are things that could be done to ease the issue of medical emergencies. Passengers who are in late stages of pregnancy have to inform their condition, perhaps all known conditions such as allergies with anaphylaxis risk, known heart conditions or the like could be declared. Another option would be to carry one flight attendant with paramedic status able to deal with emergency response to stabilize patients with radio support from doctors and assess immediate risk. Administering drugs needs training so not cheap. With modern telemetry and video conferencing a lot could be done to make it safer and refuve diverts but it all costs so probably requires a FAR.
FYI:
“Ground-Based Medical Advisory Service (MedLink)
MedAire pioneered ground-based medical advisory services for airlines over 30 years ago. As such we manage tens of thousands of passenger fit-to-fly assessments and in-flight medical events every year. Whether a medical situation arises in the airport or during a flight, crewmembers have ready access to critical care nurses for questions and advice regarding the health of passengers at the airport or during boarding. Once in the air our dedicated doctors are there for advice and assistance to help crewmembers prevent medical situations from escalating – or cope with them as they occur.”
Aloha! As an adult with a severe peanut allergy, I just wanted to clarify that an EpiPen is not a cure and does not stop the allergic reaction, it only buys 10-15 minutes to get someone to drugs (usually given intravenously) that will eventually stop the reaction. Running into a peanut on any flight would be a scary, scary thing for the few of us who are cursed with a severe allergy! Here’s hoping that the passenger was able to get help in time.
You are so correct. I have needed multiple epi injections, up to 5 benedryl injections a histamine 2 blocker such as Zantac in addition to a few full bags of IV after one bee sting. Getting stung for me easily means an 8 to 10 hour hospital observtion and my own injection only gives me time to get to the nearest ER. I carry all in my Epi case. It truely is a curse and can ruin a full day or two.