Singapore Airlines is facing a lawsuit in the United States after a New York-based paediatrician, Dr. Doreen Benary, allegedly suffered a severe allergic reaction mid-flight due to being served a shrimp-containing meal, despite informing the cabin crew about her allergy. The incident occurred on October 8, 2024, aboard a business class flight from Frankfurt to New York (JFK), and has brought renewed scrutiny to how airlines manage passengers with severe food allergies.
According to court documents reported by CNA, a Singapore-based news outlet, Dr. Benary had explicitly notified one or more crew members about her shrimp allergy upon boarding. However, the lawsuit alleges that the airline served her a meal that contained shrimp, triggering a reaction so severe that the flight had to make an emergency diversion to Paris. Once on the ground, Dr. Benary was rushed to two medical facilities, where she underwent urgent treatment for a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Dr. Benary claims she began to feel unwell shortly after consuming part of the meal and detected the presence of shrimp. When she raised the issue, a flight attendant allegedly admitted the error and apologised, but the allergic response had already set in. The lawsuit states that the experience caused her “great pain, agony, and mental anguish,” in addition to requiring “painful, emergency medical procedures.”
The incident raises serious concerns about airline food safety protocols, particularly regarding how dietary restrictions and medical alerts from passengers are managed onboard. As global airlines face increasing pressure to enhance in-flight safety and responsiveness to medical emergencies, this case highlights the critical need for strict allergen controls and communication protocols.
As of now, Singapore Airlines has not issued a public statement regarding the lawsuit. The case continues to gain attention across the aviation and healthcare sectors, underlining the growing demand for accountability and improved procedures when it comes to passengers with severe food allergies.
