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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to fib to the airline...

51 replies

AshForrest · 20/04/2022 14:19

29 weeks pregnant today, flying out at the start of May (I'll be 30-31 weeks for departure and return) for our last peaceful holiday before the arrival of our first.

The airline states that they MIGHT ask for a letter from my GP or Midwife stating my EDD / current health / that I've had no complications so far. Trouble is, both GP and Midwife have said they're unable to provide. Have looked privately and the only option locally is going to cost £160 (!!!). Bit reluctant to pay that much for a letter that they may not even check. Times are tight etc etc and could do with that money going elsewhere.

Thankfully, have had a totally uneventful, uncomplicated pregnancy so far. My bump is also fairly small... could definitely pass for much earlier on in pregnancy (or go completely unnoticed with the right clothes). Would it be unreasonable to chance it and try and hide the belly? Has anyone had any recent experiences or done similar? I'm massively stressing and overthinking this so any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!

OP posts:
FlippityFlippityFlop · 20/04/2022 14:30

My GP was able to give me a pregnancy fit to fly. They sent it through a couple of days before I flew. Think it cost about £20/30.

Who are you flying with and they all have different rules.

araiwa · 20/04/2022 14:30

Up to you.

You're risking losing your holiday for £160.

Chersfrozenface · 20/04/2022 14:33

No experience of hiding state of pregnancy from airlines.

However, on another and very important point, do you have travel insurance, and if so, does it cover pregnancy? After 28 weeks, you usually need an add-on or specialist insurance.

Original poster
AshForrest · 20/04/2022 14:40

Good point @araiwa .. it's not much in comparison with the cost of the trip...

We're flying with TUI. Have checked insurance and both myself and baby are all covered from that perspective.

OP posts:
HerbivorousRex · 20/04/2022 14:44

I flew with Etihad at 24 weeks (in February). I was visibly pregnant and they did ask to see a letter from my obstetrician to say I was fit to fly and confirming my due date.

I don’t live in the the UK and it might vary by airline but I probably wouldn’t risk it because there’s definitely a chance you’ll be asked.

MayorDusty · 20/04/2022 14:45

You need to consider the insurance, any knock on could be too risky.
Some things just aren't worth chancing.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 20/04/2022 14:47

If you don't have a letter they can refuse you boarding.

Is it really worth losing your holiday for £160?

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 20/04/2022 14:48

If you've not been truthful about gestation and you do have an event your insurance might not pay out.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 20/04/2022 14:50

What would you do if you are refused boarding on your RETURN flight? So stuck in a foreign country?

Dixiechickonhols · 20/04/2022 14:51

If they ask and you haven’t got it then you won’t be able to go. I know it’s frustrating but if those are their terms you need to do it. Do make 100% sure insurance covers baby too - I can recall news story of prem baby not being covered in USA.

PigeonMail · 20/04/2022 14:54

I’d go back to your gp to find out why they can’t do it

Sirzy · 20/04/2022 14:55

If you lie I doubt you will be covered by any insurance

Glamora · 20/04/2022 14:56

AshForrest · 20/04/2022 14:40

Good point @araiwa .. it's not much in comparison with the cost of the trip...

We're flying with TUI. Have checked insurance and both myself and baby are all covered from that perspective.

Even if you lie to the airline?

I dont think its worth the risk

Maydaysoonenough · 20/04/2022 14:56

Imagine you become unwell on the flight... They might divert the plane and throw you off!! Yabu to hide your pregnancy..

Unsureaboutit9 · 20/04/2022 14:59

Is there not a risk lying to the airline could cause insurance problems/problems flying back if something does go wrong? It’s not something I’d risk unless you have enough spare money to have the baby abroad if something goes wrong/they refuse to fly you back.

FlibbertyGibbitt · 20/04/2022 14:59

Had my youngest at 28 weeks out of the blue…. Cost ££££ in his care afterwards so I’d be VERY careful

Whetheryouthinkyoucan · 20/04/2022 15:01

Also, calling it a fib does not make it less of a lie.

Dixiechickonhols · 20/04/2022 15:07

Diverting plane is a good example - so you get on in London and manage to avoid showing letter. Plane unexpectedly diverts to x due to medical issue on board/tech issue. You go to reboard in x and are asked for letter. Suddenly you are stuck in x no way of getting home (well maybe drive/boat)

yellowsuninthesky · 20/04/2022 15:17

The thing about all the horror stories put forward here is that the fit to fly letter means nothing. If you have a fit to fly letter you could still go into premature labour. The GP doesn't know, that might be why they don't want to give the letter.

Airlines are ridiculous over this. Maybe for long haul but the chance of going into labour in a specific one or two hour slot at 30ish weeks is very unlikely indeed. And how many people give birth that quickly anyway?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 20/04/2022 15:21

But it doesn't matter how likely it is @yellowsuninthesky - airlines have a duty of care to passengers.

If OP lies and there is an issue, her insurance probably won't pay and she'll be liable for hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of medical bills.

For the sake of £160, it's a bloody daft risk to take.

prescribingmum · 20/04/2022 16:07

Probably going to get flamed for this but had similar situation 4 years ago when expecting DC2 - airline said they may ask for letter if past 28 weeks and I was 28+2 when we flew to Europe for 5 days. I did try to get a letter but similar issues despite midwife saying it was fine for me to go and low risk etc.

I was asked at check in desk and lied that I was almost 27 weeks. It was a quick verbal check with nothing documented in writing at desk. To cover myself in emergency and for insurance, I had notes on me in handbag which clearly documented my conversation with midwife about being safe to fly

As PP has said, midwife and gp cannot predict if someone low risk with no history will go into premature labour either

SeaToSki · 20/04/2022 16:15

Can you type up a form letter and then ask your midwife if she will just sign it, so she doesnt have to go to any work.

also try a different private doctor, a travel clinic might do it if you take all your notes

lastly do you know anyone with a PhD? Ask them to write a letter saying that in their opinion you are fit to fly and sign it doctor X, the airline wont care or check the credentials. It also wont be a lie, its just their opinion isnt a medical one..

Darkstar4855 · 20/04/2022 16:21

I flew to Greece at 28 weeks. Nobody checked my letter on the way out. On the return journey it was scrutinised by the airport staff and I doubt they would have let me board without it.

Also as others have said be really really careful that your insurance will cover care for the baby if born whilst you are there. Some companies will cover the mother and costs of delivery but not care for the baby once born as they are not the named person on the policy. NICU care and repatriation can run into six figures.

MartinMartinMarti · 20/04/2022 16:22

I flew at about those dates and my bump really popped on holiday - no one cared on the way out, but I was asked for my letter on the way home. Sure I could have forged it, but that sounds v high risk!

I also agree with PPs that your insurance is likely to be invalid if you are supposed to have a fit to fly letter, but don’t.

IglesiasPiggl · 20/04/2022 16:28

I flew short haul domestic with BA at 34 weeks, showing quite small. I went to all the faff of getting the letter and nobody questioned me on either leg of the flight. I hear your frustration but as a PP has pointed out, if they do ask and you don't have it, they may well not allow you to fly.