The University of Pittsburgh softball team has announced a formal boycott of Southwest Airlines after a series of alarming incidents tied to the airline’s new in-flight snack policy. The controversy centers on Southwest’s decision to offer “Wonderful Pistachios No Shells” as a complimentary perk for passengers in extra-legroom seats. This change has created a life-threatening environment for a member of the Panthers’ program with a severe airborne nut allergy.
The issue first escalated during the team’s travel to Florida for their season-opener and resurfaced on a recent flight to Houston. Because the allergy is inhaled rather than ingested, the presence of nuts in the cabin poses an immediate risk. Despite the team’s pleas, Southwest reportedly refused to suspend the service of pistachios or make an onboard announcement asking fellow passengers to refrain from eating them, citing corporate policy.
Assistant coach Jordan Dail has been a vocal critic of the airline’s stance, taking to social media to express her outrage. “I’m sorry but if someone is deathly allergic to all nuts & it’s AIRBORNE, you should not be telling them that you ‘can’t not serve pistachios to the first 6 rows,’” Dail posted. She further criticized the airline’s priorities, stating that a passenger’s “pistachio cravings” should never be valued more than a human life.
The coaching staff’s frustration reached a boiling point when Dail described the airline’s refusal to accommodate the medical necessity as “attempted murder.” She emphasized that the crew’s lack of communication was particularly egregious, calling the airline “disgusting” for putting a person’s life at risk for the sake of a premium snack offering. The team argued that the “luxury” of the snack does not justify the potential for a fatal reaction.
Southwest’s official response to inquiries about the policy offered little consolation. The airline stated that while it offers alternative snacks for those with allergies, it would not commit to suspending the service of tree nuts or making specific cabin announcements when notified of an allergy in advance. This rigid adherence to protocol has left the Pitt softball program feeling that their safety is a secondary concern to the airline’s marketing of seat upgrades.
As a result of these experiences, the Panthers have vowed to end all future travel with Southwest Airlines. Coach Dail confirmed the boycott, stating, “Pitt Softball will not be using Southwest Air in future seasons, and neither will I personally, in support of our allergy friend.” The team hopes that their public stance will prompt the airline to reevaluate its safety procedures for severe allergies.
The situation highlights a growing tension between airline “perks” and passenger accessibility. For the Pittsburgh softball team, the decision to boycott is a matter of principle and protection. As they navigate the remainder of their season on other carriers, the message to Southwest remains clear: “Safety first. Snacks second. Do better.”
