Comment from Michelle Peele

It is imperative that life-saving epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) be available on all commercial flights. If they are considered essential emergency medication in schools and many public settings, they should also be standard equipment on airplanes. An in-flight allergic reaction can escalate within minutes, and immediate access to epinephrine can mean the difference between life and death. Passengers may have known severe allergies or experience a first-time, unexpected anaphylactic reaction while traveling. Relying on a passenger to have their own medication or hoping that another traveler is carrying an auto-injector is not an adequate emergency response plan. Commercial aircraft are unique environments where access to emergency medical care is limited and delayed until landing. Equipping every flight with epinephrine auto-injectors and ensuring that flight crews are trained to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis would provide a critical layer of protection for millions of travelers each year. A simple, readily available intervention has the potential to save lives and ensure that more medical emergencies end with passengers arriving safely rather than becoming preventable tragedies.