The parents of a nine-year-old with life-threatening energy demands could lose their £19,000 vacation to Florida all because Virgin refuses to not serve dishes with eggs on the flight.
Dolly Fisher, from Rainham, Essex, who was diagnosed with the allergy at the age of three, wears an epi pen and could go into anaphylactic shock if she’s in the same room as a bowl of egg – because it’s airborne .
Now the family is anxious and torn between canceling their long-awaited getaway and flushing thousands down the drain – or risking their daughter’s health.
They were set to enjoy a trip to Disney World Florida for Dolly, her twin sister Betty and older brother Freddie, 12, in April this year.
But now they say the future of their vacation depends entirely on the airline’s menu.
Dolly Fisher (pictured in hospital after suffering an allergic reaction), who was diagnosed with the allergy at the age of three, carries an epi pen and could go into anaphylactic shock if in the same room as egg allergens
“The thought of losing all that money makes me sick,” admitted mother Carly-Jane, 43. “It’s really frustrating.”
The head of the law firm – who hadn’t worked for five and a half years and only returned to pay for the holiday – said she contacted Virgin in February to find out what meals they would be serving on the plane to ensure it would be safe for her daughter.
She was apparently told egg and mayonnaise sandwiches would be served as part of an afternoon tea for the last two hours of the flight – and Carly-Jane asked her to trade that for another option.
Virgin reportedly refused to budge, stating that it was impossible to change the menu on one flight without changing it on all flights worldwide, even after the concerned parent explained that the situation was “on life and death.” death”.
After being contacted by journalists, Virgin Carly-Jane revealed egg and mayonnaise sandwiches would not be on the April menu for Economy, where the family will be sitting.
Virgin has also told Web that no egg sandwiches will be served on the flight but that there are still dishes containing the ingredient in Premium and Upper.
The airline also stressed that its special assistance team is working with the family to help her continue her holiday.
“We have to find out what they’re serving every time we fly because she could potentially die,” Carly-Jane explained.
Mum Carly-Jane, 43 (pictured with Dolly), says she contacted Virgin in February to find out what meals they would be serving on the plane
Father Craig (pictured with his daughter) – who also appeared to have the impression egg sandwiches are still on the flight’s menu – added that he couldn’t “get over” the airline’s inflexibility
“She’s going into anaphylactic shock. It’s awful, awful. Her throat closes, she coughs, her airways constrict.’
Carly-Jane – who still seemed under the impression that egg mayonnaise and cheese and pickle sandwiches will be served as part of her afternoon tea – added that the family had contacted Virgin “well in advance”.
“They didn’t say she couldn’t get on the plane but it’s at our risk,” added the frustrated parent.
“But we could reach the gate and the pilot says they don’t want to take the risk. It’s such a troubled time.’
She said that Dolly and Betty were unaware of the dilemma.
The family planned a trip to Disney World Florida for Dolly, twin Betty and brother Freddie, 12, in April this year
Craig meets with an allergy specialist to see if medication or masks are available. Dolly imagined crying after an incident in which her egg allergy resulted in her being unable to board the plane
The couple claim they were given the choice of catching a flight on another airline from Manchester or missing out on their holiday and the £19,000 they paid for
Carly-Jane said: “If we couldn’t go they would be absolutely devastated, heartbroken, they would have been in pieces. It will make vacation for them at an anxious time.
“The last time we went away she was so worried she said she didn’t want to ruin the family vacation again. A little girl shouldn’t have to deal with that. She didn’t ask to be allergic.’
Father Craig – who also appeared to have the impression egg sandwiches are still on the flight’s menu – added that he couldn’t “get around” the airline’s inflexibility.
“They said they couldn’t trade it for a flight, it has to be global… It’s a flight from Heathrow,” he said.
“It’s the resistance you get. There’s no desire to help or find a solution, it’s very black and white.
The family on vacation together. The parents revealed that they are torn with fear about the upcoming trip
Now the family is anxious and torn between canceling their long-awaited getaway and flushing thousands down the drain – or risking their daughter’s health
“Half the battle is they say they can give her other food. The allergy is so severe that it is airborne and therefore cannot be anywhere on the plane.
“Egg is in many things, but in its purest form it would be in an egg mayo sandwich. Our hands are tied.’
The couple claim they were given the option of catching a flight on another airline out of Manchester – at an additional cost of £800 and risking eggs being served on that flight too – or their holiday and the £19,000 they have paid to miss.
Carly-Jane said: “No one is going to tell you what’s being served on the flights. I have contacted the airlines and no one has been able to tell us so we cannot make an informed decision.
“If we don’t get the flight we will lose £19,000. We have had a flight with Easy Jet before and they went above and beyond to make it possible.
Carly-Jane and Craig now say the future of their holiday depends on the airline’s menu for April
“Why are people with a peanut allergy given more protection than someone with any type of life-threatening allergy?
“We’re afraid of having to tell her that we might not be able to go. I can’t sleep at night, I’m sick.’
Craig meets with an allergy specialist to see if there are medications or masks available that would limit the risk of Dolly going into anaphylactic shock on the nine-hour flight.
“We will do everything we can to limit the threat,” he added. “We’re looking for noise-cancelling headphones so she doesn’t get scared when they announce the food options.”
Virgin has also told Web that no egg sandwiches will be served on the flight but that there are still dishes containing the ingredient in Premium and Upper. Pictured: Carly-Jane’s email to Virgin
A Virgin Atlantic spokesman said: “The safety of our customers is always our top priority and for special food requirements we ask customers to seek advice from our Special Assistance Team prior to booking.
“We are able to offer various dining options to customers with religious or medical requirements such as: B. kosher, diabetic meals and vegan meals.
“In the event of allergies, we would urge our customers to take all necessary precautions, including bringing their own meals on board, and to prepare for the possibility of accidental exposure.
“On this occasion we were able to seat the family in the back of Economy class, away from the meals served in Upper and Premium which include eggs, and ensure all cabin crew are aware of the allergy while we at the same time advised the family to bring their own food on board.”