Southwest Airlines is under fire after announcing plans to serve pistachios on board starting January 27, 2026, marking a return to nut-based snacks years after removing peanuts due to allergy concerns. The airline said the new Wonderful Pistachios No Shells, available in Roasted & Salted and Honey Roasted flavors, will be served exclusively to passengers in its new extra legroom premium seats.
The carrier framed the move as a nostalgic nod to its former peanut offerings, but allergy advocates are raising alarms. The nonprofit Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) called the decision “deeply concerning,” warning that introducing a tree nut allergen could endanger passengers with severe allergies. FARE urged Southwest to implement stronger safety measures, including epinephrine availability and pre-boarding for allergy-sensitive travelers.
Southwest removed peanuts from all flights in 2018 and is the only major U.S. airline to make pistachios part of its standard snack rotation. The decision follows broader operational changes at the Dallas-based carrier, which recently introduced assigned seating, extra legroom, and checked bag fees – moves that have sparked debate among loyal customers even as the airline posts record revenue.
