Flying Ryanair @30wks.

[princesslina]

Due to fly France to UK on Wednesday ... spent so much time trying to make sure my passport arrived on time that I did not think about checking rules with Ryanair ... assumed I was OK until 36 weeks.

On website it says I need a fit to fly letter from 28 weeks. Now I saw Obsterician 2 weeks ago who said fine to fly but he did not write it down ... did not think to ask. I can try and book an appointment mon or tue with GP but she is notoriously busy, would mean leaving work early which has a knock on effect on employer as I am a childminder, and also she is a brilliant Doctor but a bit old fashioned and told me weeks ago that I should not travel after 6 months... just in case... so I am not sure that I will be able to get a letter from her anyway (earliest I could speak to her on phone would be Mon afternoon).

It will be impossible for me to get a letter from Obstetrician, appointments are weeks in advance and he is always really late as he is head of obstetrics so often called away. I could call Maternity secretary Monday morn but I a 99.9% sure I will get nowhere, and they are impossible to get on the phone anyway!!

So do I just not worry and hope they don't ask me for a letter? I don't have a huge bump but def look pregnant, and who knows what will happen in three days ... bump seemed to grow overnight! Furious with myself for not having thought to check this sooner, I just assumed I was OK to fly.

Any advice greatefully received! Has anyone actually been asked for documents by Ryanair?
Thanks

[Fisharefriendsnotfood]

Tell them you are 27 weeks if anyone asks

[princesslina]

can they ask for proof?

[Fisharefriendsnotfood]

I really doubt it. But I don't know.. I'd chance it

[HaggisNeepsTatties]

You should be able to get one from midwife/gp if they've seen you recently without having an appointment - well i was anyway

[Rosa]

Iwould't trust them for anything. I would do what you could to get a letter. I would call the secretary , explain and maybe he could write you a letter and leave it with the secretary and you could call in and get it. Seeing you were seen a few weeks ago. Ryan Air are not known for being sympathetic or understanding on anything so I would try to make sure you have something in writing.

[princesslina]

Thats pretty much the conlucsion I have come to Rosa, I am sending my DH to see if he can catch GP before she leaves on home visits first thing Mon morn to see would be happy to sign the letter (that I have printed off RA website) if she refuses then I will go to the hospital and cry!

[horseylady]

You will need one from a dr not your mw!! Expect to pay!! I flew at 30 weeks in the uk they didn't ask, in France they did!!

[Rowanhart]

Can you do online check in? I flew recently with jet 2 at 31 weeks and had letter but because I'd checked in online no one asked to see it.

[kittysaysmiaow]

If you can't get a letter, you could try just wearing a loose blazer and a big scarf and hoping you don't get asked. I just did this flying back from a holiday (at 28 weeks) and no one noticed i was pregnant, as far as i could tell. I had a letter from the doctor, but the airline (emirates) wanted a proper medical certificate, which I didn't have. The doctor did do the letter without seeing me, but it just said I was 'pregnant and otherwise fit and healthy' so not much use.

I was also planning on saying I was 27 weeks if asked.

[cakeandcava]

I called up my GP's reception and explained I needed a letter -they had a procedure in order for it, and the letter was sent to me after two days. (If you're in a hurry you can probably go pick it up). I never actually saw the GP. Had to pay £20 for it. I think this is quite common, so might be worth it to just call your GP clinic. You don't need the actual Ryanair printout form (I flew Ryanair too), you just need an official letter with your due date and a stamp.

[soapnuts]

I got asked when I was only about 20 weeks (and not that big!) - luckily they didn't ask for proof that I was only 20 weeks but they were pretty rude and told me I should have informed the airline before I booked "for my own safety". that's the first time I've ever heard that before and happily flew longhaul at 24 weeks last time around! (she didn't like it when I told her this!) Anyhow, point being that the airlines seem to be a law unto themselves and if it says you need one on the website, Id make sure that I had one! Not fun but necessary. My doc has a standard letter that she just signs and stamps so it shouldn't be a major issue. (having said that, it's only to France! what is that? an hour? maybe a big loose jumper would be alright!!)

[Bellaboo123]

I'm 29 weeks and just flee to Spain with Ryanair. I printed their own form off their website, the midwife couldn't sign so I left for the doc, took a couple of days and £20. I wasn't even asked for it...may be a different story on the way home through!

[wonderstuff]

Anyone other than Ryanair would prob be fine, but they are so difficult to deal with. Funny how different the airlines are, I flew to NY with American when I was about 30 weeks - they have no restrictions on pregnant women at all - they say if you miss your flight because your in labour its your responsibility, seems fair.

[Plunkett]

I flew at 24 weeks and was told by airline it was fine - no one asked or checked about bump on flight out (or back at 26 wks). I was noticeably pregnant.
However, you may want to check with your insurance company as mine stated I would not be fully covered without a 'fit to fly' certificate from doctor (not midwife). I did not need to see doc to get mine, just state in writing you need one and pay a fee, £15 at my docs.

[backinaminute]

I flew to France a couple of weeks ago at 28 weeks. I was the same the other person said up thread, no one looked flying out but in France, coming back they took me to one side and asked to see the form. I had it and it was fine. I had mine signed by my midwife. Unless it has changed very recently, the Ryanair form can be signed by the Dr or Midwife (not sure about insurance though). I just rang the community midwife team and asked if i could have a really quick appointment as I needed to get this form signed and they were absolutely fine about it. If you can get it signed I probably would, I fly fairly regularly to France and back and I'm not sure if it's one particular airport but they are usually quite pedantic coming back ( weighing every piece of hand luggage etc) so not sure what they would have done if I hadn't got it. You only need one after 28 weeks so I guess if you tell them you're only 27 weeks there's not much they can do.........

[Kveta]

I flew easyjet at 30 weeks, just got midiwfe to sign a letter. No charge for it, thank god. But nobody at either airport was interested.

[MousyMouse]

go to gp. you might have to pay a small fee for the letter, but it's worth it.
when I was last pregnant, they wanted to see something (my notes) with the due date on it. I was 25w and with big bump.
remember to take out travel insurance that also covers baby (you don't want to be stranded with a prem for months without).

[DebussyHead]

I have just returned from holiday to Lanzarote flying with Ryanair from Glasgow. Was 31 weeks flying there and 33 weeks flying home. My thinking with Ryanair is don't risk breaking their rules as they are total bastards and will do anything to get more money from you, reduce their risk. I went belt and braces, had 2 Ryanair pro forma Fit to Fly certificates printed off and signed by my midwife (they have to be dated within 2 weeks of the flight and we were away for 15 days so I needed 2!!) plus I had a letter from my GP stating I was fit to fly (free of charge).

They asked for my Ryanair fit to fly letter in Glasgow at Check in. At Lanzarote end I kind of had bag covering my bump and was not asked for anything. I looked massively pregnant by the way.

I was terrified if being stranded in Lanzarote so for me it wasn't worth the risk but would be more relaxed about France as you can always hop on a ferry!

Good luck

[nenehooo]

I flew Ryanair at 28/30 weeks (going out and coming back). I just printed out the form on their website, filled in what I could and left it at the GPs for them to sign and stamp. They didn't charge me, but I was prepared for them to. Nobody batted an eyelid that I was pregnant. Although we did get to sit in the front row (the seats you have to pay for) when we somehow ended up last to board and I started to cry hysterically because I didn't want to sit on my own... one of my only crazy hormonal outbursts during my whole pregnancy and
I do agree with everyone that Ryanair can be difficult - not had any experience personally but have seen others get short shrift - so do make sure you try to get something from your GP... good luck and hope you get here ok!

[princesslina]

Thanks for the replies, husband just headed off to try and catch GP before she goes on home visits to see what she says ... it is different here there is no secretary for the GP she works alone and already told me months ago she did not think I should travel after 6 months (she had a patient years ago who I think was also a friend who went on a long car journey at 6.5months and lost the baby and I think it has tinged her opinion somewhat). If we get no luck with GP will have to head down to the hospital if not I will chance it. Last cahnce to go and see my family in the UK before baby comes and my 95yr old Grandma is beside herself with excitement that I am coming!!

[KnockedUpMell]

Definitely get a letter! I flew BA recently and they asked for a letter as well as proof of gestation (which was stated in letter). I was 29w. Not sure if they are entitled to ask for proof of gestation (and refuse boarding if you don't have it) if you are under 28w?

[princesslina]

I have the letter!! If anything it will mean I will not worry about whether I get stopped at the gate! My GO did tell me to be V.V CAREFUL though!
Of course I will be and have DH travelling with me to look after me and carry my bags!!

[Rosa]

you can relax now and enjoy !!!!!! Glad you have it !

[backinaminute]

Now you've got it they probably won't check but if you didn't they more than likely would have. Have a lovely time.

[princesslina]

Update for anyone interested! Was not asked for letter, was not even asked if I was pregnant ... but at least I had it so did not worry about not having it!