I have a cousin who has a severe peanut allergy. A couple thoughts:
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With regard to airlines, CALL AHEAD. Most airlines will in fact be willing to accommodate and ask passengers NOT to open anything with peanuts either within a several row radius of your student or on the entire plane. The airlines do not want an emergency at 30,000 feet any more than you do.
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It is absolutely reasonable to expect a teenager to carry a small bag everywhere. I agree with @twoinanddone that if teens can remember to carry their phones everywhere, they can carry their epipens everywhere. My husband sometimes carries a “murse” (man purse) if he has several items. There are a lot of styles, with the messenger bag/satchel and the day pack being two of the most popular, and a lot of them are very handsome. I would have him throw in his phone, his epi, and some guaranteed safe snacks so he doesn’t get tempted to eat, say, a cookie or granola bar with questionable ingredients.
Best wishes to your son on his trip! Sounds exciting!