Josie North was travelling on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Los Angeles to London Heathrow when the close shave took place, she told Jam Press
Bradley Jolly Overnight News Editor and Greta Simpson
15:52, 11 Oct 2025
Josie North. (Image: Jam Press/@josienorth988)
A holidaymaker with a severe nut allergy was left feeling ‘sick’ when she discovered a pecan pie was on the menu for her flight.
Josie North was jetting off on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Los Angeles to London Heathrow when the near miss occurred, as reported by Jam Press in the Mirror.
She had informed the cabin crew about her allergy and was reassured that no nuts would be served on board.
However, just 15 minutes into the lengthy 10-hour journey, Josie spotted the pecan pie listed on the menu and immediately summoned an attendant, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The 28 year old Brit, who is allergic to all types of nuts, said she felt ‘sick’.
Natasha Ednan-Laperouse(Image: PA)
Josie in LA.(Image: Jam Press/@josienorth988)
“There was a chance I could die if that many people around me were eating nuts all at once,” she expressed.
“I told him [the attendant] there was just no way this pecan pie could be served. This was a very scary situation for me.
“If I was told they were serving actual nuts, and everyone around me is going to be eating nuts, I wouldn’t have got on the flight.”
This issue has been in the spotlight in recent years following the tragic death of 15 year old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse on a British Airways flight.
She had consumed a baguette – purchased at Pret a Manger – which contained sesame seeds, to which the teenager was allergic.
But Virgin Atlantic staff had spoken to Josie to assure her that flight attendants would cater to her needs ahead of the flight last month.
Josie, who operates a party card games business, was informed Virgin is a peanut-free airline exclusively, prompting her to demand a conversation with another crew member on the aircraft.
“I was very adamant that this was a very, very dangerous situation for me, especially as we were already in the air at this point,” Josie, from London, said.
Ultimately, the captain became involved and consented to having the pie taken off the menu and substituted with Oreos and KitKats.
However, Josie wishes to highlight her ordeal, and remind major companies of the severe risks posed by allergies.
Upon boarding the aircraft, the businesswoman requested the attendant make an announcement to inform fellow passengers that somebody on board suffered from a nut allergy.
She maintains the staff member only announced somebody had a peanut allergy – whilst Josie is allergic to all nuts.
A “persistent” Josie demanded they make a second announcement, which they did, but moments later, she was shocked to discover the nut dish on the menu.
Josie said: “I understand it might not be easy to eliminate anything that may have been contaminated by or made in the same factory as nuts.
“But to actively include food items that contain nuts on a flight is extremely dangerous and unnecessary.
“I’m sure most people go hours and if not days without having a single nut on land so why is it so necessary to have nuts mid-air with no access to emergency hospital treatment?
“I’m sure people would be equally as chuffed with a chocolate brownie or an apple crumble for their pudding!
“And there may even be children on the flight who don’t even know if they have nut allergies yet so what is the point in serving such a common allergen?”.
A spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic said: “We’d like to apologise to Ms North for any incorrect information she may have received prior to her recent flight with us.
“We would like to reassure her that a full investigation is taking place. The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority and for any special requirements including allergies we ask that customers inform our Accessible Travel Services teams in advance of their flight.
“For the safety of any customers travelling with an allergy we would strongly encourage customers to take all necessary precautions including bringing their own subsistence on board and to prepare for the possibility of inadvertent exposure.”
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