The Swiss International Air Lines will start offering products that are guaranteed "allergy-friendly" to provide better travel experience to its passenger. Beginning May, passengers can order for gluten-free and lactose-free meals and drinks, and see changes on the cabin interior design.
The airline company collaborated with the European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF) in creating products that will benefit passengers that have allergies such as the lactose-free coffee cream or lactose-free chocolate bars, and gluten-free foods. Other products include candy bars, cakes, and yoghurts. Gluten-free breads will also be available in all lounges.
Aside from the "allergy-friendly" menu, Swiss also modified its cabin interiors to be "allergy-friendly" too. These include the removal of decorative flowers and air fresheners that often trigger nose and throat allergies; hypoallergenic soaps for those who have oversensitive skin; and pillows made of synthetic materials.
"We have seen a steady increase over the past few years in our customers' need for an air travel environment that pays due regard to any allergic conditions," said Frank Maier, SWISS's Head of Product & Services, in a press release. "So we've been working with ECARF to provide a concrete response to these demands and make everyone's air travel experience as pleasant and problem-free as possible."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food allergies appear to be increasing over time. To date, as many as 15 million people have food allergies that affect children at the most although about four percent of the adults still suffer from it. A study on allergy occurrence during airline travel revealed that most of the allergies in-flight were triggered by peanuts and tree nuts.
This healthy decision was made after studies made by ECARF that people suffering from allergies have grown significantly for the past years. The researchers noted that 30 percent of Europe's population has at least one type of allergy but only 10 percent are receiving proper care.
