Bizarre airline stories are nothing new. Remember that time when a flight from Dubai was forced to land because one passenger couldn't stop farting?
However, this time, it was a piece of advice from airline crew members that took the cake.
During an Emirates flight to Dubai, two siblings - who are allergic to nuts - were told to spend the flight in the airplane's toilet to avoid inhaling "cashew residue," according to The Independent.
The siblings, who have been identified as Sundeep and Shannen Sahota, claim to have informed Emirates staff members about their allergies prior to booking, during check-in, and once again while boarding.
However, the siblings' several attempts at informing the airline of their nut allergies fell on deaf ears.
Just 40 minutes into the flight, en route from Birmingham to Dubai, the two learned that one of the in-flight meals included "cashews" in its ingredients.
Upon discovery, the siblings informed cabin crew of the problematic situation as "being exposed to nut residue circulated by the plane vents could send them into anaphylactic shock."
The flight attendants asked the two if they were carrying their medication in-flight. The siblings reiterated that the cabin crew did not quite "understand the severity of it," during This Morning Show.
Instead, the cabin crew advised the siblings to spend 7.5 hours in the airplane's bathroom.
Ultimately, the two were given blankets to put over their heads for the remainder of the flight.
Emirates responds
The airline responded in a statement, which was shared by the siblings during their appearance on a morning show.
"We are sorry to hear about Ms. Sahota's complaint. Emirates tries to cater to all passengers specific needs by offering a number of special meals that cover as many medical, dietary and religious requirements as possible. However, Emirates cannot guarantee completely nut-free flights," the airline said, according to Express.
Emirates looked through its records and said it was not informed of the siblings' allergy prior to the flight.
"We've looked into Ms. Sahota’s booking and our records do not reflect any mention of a nut allergy. All passengers who alert us of a nut allergy prior to travel are informed of our policy and it is also outlined on our website here."
However, the airline assured the public that when "alerted during the flight, our crew tried their best to offer Ms. Sahota and her brother alternative locations in an open space in the back of the aircraft cabin to minimize their proximity to other passengers who may be consuming meals with nuts."
"We apologize for any inconvenience caused and our customer care team will be in touch with Miss Sahota directly."
"Don't serve nuts that can kill someone like me"
This wouldn't be the first time the airline has caused outrage for brushing off those with nut allergies.
Julianne Ponan details her experience when speaking to The Independent:
"I’d already booked a package holiday that included Emirates flights. I rang them and told them about my nut allergy and asked what they could do because this is really serious – I can’t be on a plane where nuts are being served," she said.
"My allergy is airborne, so I have to be really careful. They said there was nothing they could do – they serve nuts on board, and they refused to remove nuts from sale."