The parents of a nine-year-old boy with life-threatening energy say they stand to lose their £19,000 holiday to Florida, all because Virgin refuses to not serve dishes containing eggs on the flight.
Dolly Fisher, from Rainham, Essex, who was diagnosed with the allergy when she was three, carries an epipen and could go into anaphylactic shock if she is in the same room as a dish containing egg, because it is airborne.
Now the family is anxious and divided on whether to call off their long-awaited getaway and throw thousands down the drain, or risk their daughter’s health.
They were set to enjoy a trip to Disney World Florida in April of this year for Dolly, her twin Betty, and her 12-year-old older brother Freddie.
But now they say that the future of your vacation depends on the airline menu.
Dolly Fisher (pictured in hospital after suffering an allergic reaction), who was diagnosed with the allergy when she was three years old, carries an epipen 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 law firm’s manager, who hadn’t worked for five and a half years and returned only to pay for holidays, says she contacted Virgin in February to find out what meals would be served on the plane to make sure it would be safe for her daughter. .
Apparently, she was told that the egg mayonnaise sandwiches would be served in the last two hours of the flight as part of an afternoon tea, and Carly-Jane asked them to change them to a different option.
Virgin reportedly refused to budge, explaining that it would be impossible to change the menu on one flight without changing it on every flight globally, even after the anxious father explained that the situation was “life and death”.
After being contacted by reporters, Virgin told Carly-Jane that egg mayonnaise sandwiches would not be on the budget April menu, where the family will sit.
Virgin has also told MailOnline that egg sandwiches are not served on the flight, but there are still dishes containing the ingredient on Premium and Upper.
The airline also noted that its special assistance team is working with the family to help them continue their vacation.
“We have to find out what they’re serving every time we fly because she could die,” Carly-Jane explained.
Mum Carly-Jane, 43 (pictured with Dolly) says she approached Virgin in February to find out what meals would be served on the plane.
Father Craig (pictured with his daughter), who also seemed under the impression that egg sandwiches are still specifically on the flight menu, added that he can’t “understand” the airline’s inflexibility.
‘She goes into anaphylactic shock. It’s awful, awful. Her throat closes up, she coughs, her airway closes.
Carly-Jane, who still seemed under the impression that egg mayonnaise and cheese and pickle sandwiches are being served as part of her afternoon tea, added that the family contacted Virgin “well in advance”.
“They didn’t say I couldn’t get on the plane, but it’s at our risk,” added the frustrated father.
But we could get to the gate and the pilot says he’s not willing to take the chance. It’s such an anxious time.
She said that Dolly and Betty don’t know the dilemma yet.
The family enjoyed a trip to Disney World Florida in April of this year for Dolly, twin Betty and 12-year-old brother Freddie.
Craig will meet with an allergist to see if any medications or masks are available. Dolly imagined crying after a case where her allergy to her egg meant she couldn’t get on the plane.
The couple claim they were left with the choice of taking a flight with a different airline to Manchester or missing out on their holiday and the £19,000 they paid.
Carly-Jane said: “If we couldn’t go they would be absolutely devastated, heartbroken, they would be in pieces.” It will make the holidays a time of anxiety for them.
“The last time we left she was so anxious that she said she didn’t want to ruin the family’s vacation again. A little girl shouldn’t have to deal with that. She did not ask to be allergic.
Father Craig, who also seemed to be under the impression that egg sandwiches are still specifically on the flight menu, added that he cannot “understand” the airline’s inflexibility.
“They said they couldn’t exchange it for a flight, it has to be global… It’s a flight from Heathrow,” he said.
‘It’s the resistance you get. There is no desire to help or find a solution, it is very black and white.
The family photographed together on vacation. The parents revealed that they are anxious about the upcoming trip.
Now the family is anxious and divided on whether to cancel their long-awaited getaway and throw thousands down the drain, or risk their daughter’s health.
‘Half the battle is that they say they can give you another meal. The allergy is so severe that it is airborne, so it cannot be anywhere on the plane.
“Egg is in many things, but it would be in its purest form if it were in an egg and mayonnaise sandwich. Our hands are tied.
The couple claim they were left with the choice of taking a flight with a different airline out of Manchester, costing an additional £800, and risk having an egg served on that flight as well, or lose their holiday and the £19,000 they paid.
Carly-Jane said: ‘No one will tell you what they will serve on the flights. I’ve contacted the airlines and no one was able to tell us so we can’t make an informed decision.
‘If we don’t get the flight, we lose £19,000. We have a flight with Easy Jet before and they went above and beyond to make it happen.
Carly-Jane and Craig now say the future of their vacation depends on the airline menu in April.
‘Why do people with a peanut allergy have more protection than someone with any type of life-threatening allergy?
We are dreading having to tell him that we may not be able to go. I can’t sleep at night, I feel sick.
Craig will meet with an allergist to see if there are medications or masks available that will limit Dolly’s risk of anaphylactic shock on the nine-hour flight.
“We will do anything to limit the threat,” he added. “We’re looking at noise canceling headphones so that when they announce the food options it doesn’t make her nervous.”
Virgin has also told MailOnline that egg sandwiches are not served on the flight, but there are still dishes containing the ingredient on Premium and Upper. Pictured: Carly-Jane’s email to Virgin
A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson said: “The safety of our customers is always our top priority, and for special food requirements, we ask customers to seek the advice of our special assistance team before booking.”
“We are able to offer several meal options for clients with religious or medical requirements, such as kosher, diabetic and vegan meals.
“For allergies, we strongly advise customers to take all necessary precautions, including bringing their own meals on board, and to prepare for the possibility of inadvertent exposure.
“This time around, we were able to seat the family in the back of the economy, away from the meals served on Upper and Premium, which contain eggs, as well as making sure all cabin crew are allergy aware. and at the same time advise the family to bring their own food on board.
