No fit to fly letter for Easyjet up to 32 wks?

[Missmidden]

Just posted this in travel but I think here may be more relevant-apologies if it's a bit off topic.

I hope someone may be able to help here, please. We are planning a week's holiday in April when I will be 28wks on the way out and 29 wks on the way back. Before booking with Easyjet I called them as I had found contradictory information on their website. I was told, by a very uncertain sounding lady, that up to 32 wks with a singleton pregnancy they do not need a fit to fly letter/ certificate.

I have asked for e-mail confirmation of this as I really don't want to book and turn up only to be refused boarding! Has anyone else flown with Easyjet recently between 28 and 32 wks and not had a letter? I am minded to get one regardless, but also have read that it needs to be dated within 5 days of flying which obviously doesn't work for the return leg! Very confused

I can't help but am in a similar situation flying with easyJet - I'm going out at 31 & back at 32 wks. Thought I'd get a letter anyway & if the 5 day rule is true perhaps ask midwife to post date it...
Will be interested to see if anyone else has info /experience of this.

Thanks for replying, Alice. One thing the confused lady said on the phone (before she spoke to her supervisor and said no letter) was that any letter must be from a doctor and not a midwife!

I found a bit on their website which says that between 28 and 35 weeks you do need a certificate, which must be from a doctor and must specify the number of weeks of pregnancy as well as confirmation you are fit to fly. Google 'easyjet fit to fly certificate' and click on the third link (labelled expectant mothers).

This is consistent with what I remember from my previous pg when I was asked for this certificate at check-in.

So I would get one - not sure how though (my treatment was consultant-led). Perhaps ask your mw for advice - you won't be the first person who needs one!

Good luck

Not easyjet, but I needed a doc letter - just made an appt and asked my lovely gp.

I can't imagine they'd how they could dispute your letter on the return journey being outside their 5-day rule. How would anyone be able to return from holiday?!

Perhaps you could get your doctor to include the dates of the two flights on the letter (eg "I certify that Missmidden is safe to fly on x-date and returning on y-date") so that it's clear to anyone reading it that you have gone away and come back.

I flew Easyjet 3 years ago when I was 26wks pregnant and, although I had a very obvious bump, no one asked me if I was pregnant, let alone how far along I was, on either the outbound or return flights (checked in online and no one at the gate asked), so you might find that you get on and off the plane without anyone disputing anything. And anyway, without your notes (which you're not required to have although I'd definitely recommend taking them) how can anyone prove you're 28/29 weeks and not 26/27 weeks? I find it all a bit odd to be honest and am sure it's only for insurance reasons that they make these statements. Just get a letter before you go and you'll likely never be asked for it.

It's not that different between airlines.

The WHO states letter from 28 weeks and it's probably best to follow the international standard, rather than (spoken) advice from someone who didn't even sound authoritative.

If OTOH you have 32 weeks in writing, following the phone call, then you can probably rely on that.

Thanks all. It does sound like a carefully worded letter is the safest option, as I have no confidence in the verbal advice and have found different advice on different parts of the website. I flew with Easyjet last pregnancy at 27 wks and was quizzed about how far along I was, but I guess it just depends on how observant the staff you see are.

I was asked for my letter at 42,000 feet! Not exactly sure what they would have done had I not produced it.

Glad you posted this - I'm flying with easyjet when 34 (yes, 34) weeks (same on return) and didn't even realise I'd need a fit to fly! Will get that sorted asap. When I checked their website it just said you could fly up to 35th week if no complications. Have booked seats near the loos!

I'm 34 weeks pregnant and flew home with easyjet on monday after a week away.. No letter needed, i have v obvious bump and no one commented. I think you can fly with them without a letter up to the end of your 35th week. Hope that helps.

Missmidden I had the same issue when pregnant with my DD (2012). I was flying out at 29 weeks, back at 30 weeks. Checked the website & found contradictory info so emailed Easyjet who emailed to say no need for certificate....I got one anyway from my doctor, just to be on the safe side!

My main reason for this was, when I was about 23 weeks pregnant (and didn't look really really pregnant) a random airport employee asked me if I was expecting and how many weeks was I? When I replied 23 weeks he said "Oh that's okay then." So I wasn't entirely confident that all airport staff would no the current regulations!!

Where are you going?

32 weeks is on their website - I flew with them when I was 34 weeks but I wasn't even asked to produce anything! They seem fairly lax on it.

My fit to fly note was given to me by the midwife and easyjet accept this. I would maybe get one just in case? There was no charge and she had a stack of copies that had blanks in where your name etc. goes and your dates.