Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

Doctors note for flying (BA)

14 replies

soundsystem · 12/09/2014 09:32

Just that, really. On the BA website it says you need to carry a letter after 28 weeks. But do they ask for it?

I asked my midwfie for this (as it says on the NHS website to do!) but she said I needed to see my GP. The wait for a GP appointment for something non-urgent where I am is 4 weeks, so no can do.

I need to take a short (1 hour) domestic flight on Sunday (BA), and I'm 32 weeks. I'm not too massive yet, so hoping they won't ask! I have my notes and my pregnancy has been straightforward.

Does anyone have any experiences of this they could share?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Fissawissa · 12/09/2014 09:39

I needed one on a ryanair flight 30 odd weeks or so. I had to pay £25 for the GP to type it out.
I wasn't asked for it once!
However I would recommend getting it anyway as if you don't have it they won't allow you to fly.

Mezzaluna · 12/09/2014 11:47

I recently flew BA at 30 and 31 weeks. 1.30h international flight, not massive at, all but the lady at check-in at Heathrow still asked for my letter (glad I got one, was considering skipping it...). Wasn't asked for it on my return though, but she typed something in to the system so maybe they only check it once.
I'm consultant led so got my consultant's assitant to e-mail me a letter, could you phone your GP surgery and get them to email you something?

rollonjuly · 12/09/2014 13:44

I flew BA (domestic flight) at 29 weeks, had a note from my GP, but wasn't asked for it. However, I seem to remember flying at a similar stage last pregnancy and they did want to see it. Is it something your GP can sort out if you request by phone (mine did)?

weebarra · 12/09/2014 13:55

I was asked for mine at cruising altitude on a jet2 flight when pregnant with DD last year. Don't know what they'd have done if I hadn't been able to produce it. Think I just phoned my GP to ask for it and wasnt charged.

alliemarg · 12/09/2014 14:21

I flew BA at 29 weeks and 30 weeks (remember to factor in your return date as well). Had a note but wasn't asked - however I have a small bump (measured a few weeks behind since 31 weeks). You could have a growth spurt when you are out there as well. I asked at reception - you don't need an appointment, they just need to factor in 48 hours for the doc to sign it. It makes them money at the end of the day so don't think they'll refuse you!

alliemarg · 12/09/2014 14:23

Although if you are flying domestic I guess you don't risk being stranded overseas

Topsyloulou · 12/09/2014 14:48

I got asked on both the outward & return journeys by BA for my letter when I was 28 weeks both at check in & on boarding so I would get it if you can. I just rang the doctors & they out through a request to the doctor to write it. Think it cost £13 but was glad I had done it.

FoxtrotOscarBackToEconomy · 12/09/2014 16:13

I have done several flights on BA with obvious bump and only been asked for a letter once.

However I was on an easyJet flight once, everyone boarded waiting to depart. An obviously pregnant woman, who said she was 29 weeks when asked, didn't have a letter and had to get off the aircraft with her family. The captain explained she couldn't fly without a letter for easyJet's insurance reasons and that the family would be put on the flight the next day at no additional cost if she had a fit to fly letter. So better to have a letter even if you don't get asked for it in the end.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 12/09/2014 16:15

Phone docs and ask for a letter (rather than an appt)?

RevoltingPeasant · 12/09/2014 17:51

I wouldn't do this myself, but what would they do if you lied and said you were 26 weeks? How could they prove you wrong? I mean, you could have a massive baby or lots of fluid or be carrying twins. Or not even be pregnant. Is it just literally someone having a gander at your abdomen and deciding whether or not you 'look' 28w?

caravela · 12/09/2014 19:40

I flew at 29 weeks and return flight at 32 weeks (short flight with BA, only 1.5 hours). I had a note from my doctor, but noone asked to see it. She didn't charge me anything - it took her less than a minute to type a couple of sentences on her computer and print it out. On the flight I did have a baggy cardigan on, but even so it was pretty obvious that I was heavily pregnant, and I assume they just didn't bother to ask because it was a short hop. But I wouldn't have wanted not to have had a letter, because it would have been a massive pain if I hadn't been allowed on the flight and I'd have been really stressed while waiting the airport.

It's odd that the midwife won't do it for you. It doesn't say anywhere I can see, either on the NHS website or on BA, that it has to be a GP. All the letter has to say is your due date and confirm that the pregnancy is proceeding straightforwardly etc. I only asked the GP because the timing meant I had just had an appointment with her rather than the midwife.

redexpat · 13/09/2014 13:45

Sods law - you just know if you get one they wont ask, and if you don't they will.

jennifer86 · 13/09/2014 21:50

I was wondering about this as we're planning a holiday which would mean flying at 25 and 26 weeks. How would they know I'm telling the truth when asked how many weeks I will be? Would it be worth getter a GP's note just in case, even though I won't be after the 28 week mark? Anyone any experience of this?

dontevenblink · 13/09/2014 21:58

I flew to New Zealand when I was 27 weeks pregnant and I just had a letter from my midwife. Despite looking quite large as was dc3, no-one asked for it though. Definitely worth having though, can't see why your midwife wouldn't do it?

Flip