Citing Allergy Concerns, Southwest Will Discontinue Peanuts On Board Flights

Southwest Airlines announced it would no longer serve peanuts to its passengers. The change goes into effect August 1.

Long a staple of airline flights, many airlines have discontinued the use of peanuts as a snack due to allergy concerns, substituting pretzels and other snacks.

“Peanuts forever will be part of Southwest’s history and DNA,” the airline said in a statement noting that some passengers may be “nostalgic or sad to see peanuts go.”

Peanuts were established as an airline-specific snack in the early 1970s with the founding of Southwest. The airline marketed its lower prices as “peanut fares” and, unlike the competition at the time, didn’t serve meals or more elaborate snacks, just peanuts.

Southwest’s three largest competitors, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, no longer serve peanuts on their flights.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)