Emirates have addressed Jack Fowler’s claims he faced “the real possibility of dying” on board one of their flights, after suffering a severe allergic reaction.
The former Love Island star was on a recent flight to Dubai when he was served a chicken cashew nut curry, despite informing a flight attendant of his extreme nut allergy.
Within seconds of eating the meal, Jack’s throat closed up leaving him struggling to breath.
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The reality star recalled the terrifying experience in a post shared on Instagram, including photos and videos of him using his Adrenaline Pen (Epi Pen) and being given oxygen.
Jack called out the airline for their “complete negligence”, as he claimed he was lucky to be alive.
In response to Jack’s story, an Emirates spokesperson told Goss.ie: “We are sorry to hear of Mr Fowler’s experience and our teams on ground are providing him with all possible assistance.
“The safety and health of our customers is taken very seriously.”
“While Emirates aims to cater to customers with specific needs by offering a variety of special meals that cover medical, dietary, and religious requirements, we cannot guarantee a nut-free inflight environment,” they continued.
“We urge travellers with dietary or other medical requirements to check our website and consult their doctor before travel.”
In Jack’s post, the 28-year-old wrote: “Cant believe I’m having to post this. And I’m posting because people should be aware of the severity of how bad food allergies can be and the complete negligence from @emirates airline.
“I recently flew with Emirates Airline where I was given a Cashew Nut. I made my flight attendant aware of my nut allergy twice before being given a chicken curry. I wasn’t given a menu to chose from, instead I was asked directly if I wanted chicken or fish. I opted for the chicken.”
“When I asked for the chicken I told the air-host that I’m severely allergic to all nuts. I was then told that there was no nuts in the chicken curry.”
“When I received the meal I asked the same flight attendant again to make sure, and again was told that it does not have nuts included,” Jack continued.
“Trusting my flight attendant I began to eat the chicken curry. Immediately my throat closed up and breathing became extremely difficult.
“I told a flight attendant I couldn’t breathe and if there was nuts in the food. I was told that there were no nuts in the chicken curry AGAIN. It was only when my friend demanded to see the food menu for the first time did I realise it was a ‘Creamy Cashew Nut chicken Curry’.
“This left me with the real possibility of dying on the plane as I knew I needed emergency treatment immediately. I was given five tanks of Oxygen, as well as administering my Adrenaline Pen (Epi Pen).”
“I told the flight supervisor ‘If you don’t land this plane soon, I will die on this plane’. This then lead to the pilot speeding up the journey.
“Once we landed I was rushed into Dubais airport Hospital where I continued treatment. What needs to happen for airlines to take food allergies seriously??” Jack raged.
Calling out the airline, he added: “It is not good enough. I’m lucky to be able to have a platform to make as many people aware of your complete negligence.
“You are responsible for your passengers and their safety. Giving a passenger food which they’ve stated TWICE will cause extreme harm is unacceptable.”
“I hope all airlines and cabin crew who come across this post take note. We board your flights and trust the cabin crew to aid us in a safe flight. Take more care.”
Jack was inundated with supportive comments, including one from his former flame Laura Anderson, who used to work as a flight attendant.
Referencing the flight attendant he told about his nut allergy, Laura commented: “She’ll be fired.”
Jack shot to fame on Love Island back in 2018, and also appeared on Love Island Games last year, which he won with his then girlfriend Justine Joy.
