A WOMAN with a severe nut allergy claims she was kicked off a flight from Heathrow after cabin crew said they HAD to serve the snacks.

       Sophie Draper, 26, says "blunt" staff told her she wasn't allowed to board the plane to New York with her boyfriend back in December.

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       Sophie Durham, 26, says she was kicked off the plane to New York after the nut row 4

       American Airlines staff allegedly told the couple they were 'contractually obliged' to serve the snacks

       The electrical engineer was geared up for the trip of a lifetime before she was "escorted off" by American Airlines staff.

       Sophie, who is also a PhD researcher at Durham University, was left "in tears" after the row over her "life-threatening" allergy.

       She claims after informing the crew of her allergy, her concerns were cruelly brushed off.

       The 26-year-old was allegedly told by staff the company was "contractually obliged" to serve mixed nuts in business class.

       The furious passenger has since slammed their "heartless" policy and warned others they are a "dangerous airline for people with food allergies."

       Sophie had headed to Heathrow with her boyfriend in early December last year for the flight to JFK, informing staff of her nut allergy upon her arrival.

       But she says her serious concerns were simply met with "confused looks" from employees at the departure gate.

       In an explosive Twitter thread detailing her ordeal, she explained they then asked if it would be okay if people around her could still eat nuts.

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       The baffled 26-year-old explained her allergy was airborne - meaning she could suffer an adverse reaction if nuts were nearby.

       American Airlines staff then allegedly scoffed at the idea of banning nuts from the plane, saying: "I really doubt that's gonna happen."

       Sophie and her boyfriend then followed up their worries with the lead member of the cabin crew - before realising she had been "far too optimistic" thinking that they would accommodate her condition.

       She says the crew member coldly informed her the airline was "contractually obliged to serve hot mixed nuts in first/business class".

       The passenger alleges she was also told "it was against company policy" to make an announcement about any food allergies on the aircraft.

       Sophie fumed: "I was absolutely stunned that in 2021, with the number of fatal instances from nut allergy sufferers flying, that this was their heartless policy."

       'DISCRIMINATED'

       When her boyfriend questioned how the airline would react if she went into anaphylactic shock over the Atlantic, she claims the cabin crew responded: "'He knows how to use your epi-pen, right?"

       Sophie then said the staff were "already on comms getting our luggage removed from the flight" before the pair were escorted from the plane.

       "I broke down in tears," the 26-year-old said. "I felt totally discriminated against for a health condition I have no control over."

       The couple have called out the airline for not taking Sophie's nut allergy and prioritising the snack selection over a passenger.

       Sophie and her boyfriend later travelled to New York on a British Airways flight, where she says they went above and beyond to accommodate her.

       She said: "They stopped serving all nut products, made multiple announcements about there being a passenger with a nut allergy, and personally spoke with all passengers within a number of rows of me."

       I was absolutely stunned that in 2021, with the number of fatal instances from nut allergy sufferers flying, that this was their heartless policy.

       Sophie Draper

       Despite losing their luggage during the dramatic voyage, the couple praised BA's adaptability.

       Sophie branded it a "complete juxtaposition" to her treatment from American Airlines staff.

       A spokesperson for American Airlines said: "Protecting the health and safety of those who fly with us is our priority, and it's essential to our purpose of caring for our customers as they travel.

       "We regret that we disappointed Ms Draper and her travel partner during this trip, and our team has reached out to apologise and hear more about their experience."

       The airline does not serve peanuts in flight, but added that it "can't guarantee" passengers won't be exposed to them during their trip.

       They also urged all passengers with allergies to take the "necessary medical precautions" before flying.

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       American Airlines say they cannot guarantee that passengers won't be exposed to nuts during travel Credit: Reuters 4

       Sophie slammed the 'heartless' policy that ruined her trip in December 2021