Fit to fly note

[ThePartyArtist]

Flying with 2 airlines I'm 28-29 was pregnant. Both say they require a dr note from 28 weeks. I'm not sure how they would actually know but I don't dare risk it. My gp will do the note for £15. Airline says they need to see original, will they keep it - I.e. Do I need to get two copies at £15 each to get there and back? Flying with monarch and vueling.

My midwife wrote a fit to fly note for me for free (three years ago). I was about 19 weeks pg, so earlier than you. Kept the letter with my travel docs but no one asked to see it. I appreciate you're further along so a bit different. Hope all goes well.

I flew this week at 31 weeks and just got one note - didn't think about needing 2 to be honest.

As above no one asked for it despite my huge bump but I expect they would have if something had happened so best to get it.

Could you ask them for 2 copies for £15 if you are worried? It's just a case of them pressing 2 not 1 on printer and signing twice so not exactly much work.

i had to fly once a week between the start of pregnancy and the limit of 36 weeks (now 38). I got a letter from the GP - mine did it for free - and kept the original with my passport in case anyone asked to see it. Not once did anyone ask. Once one of the security guys did, I said I was 34 weeks and had a fit to fly letter, and he looked at me like TMI.

Even with a massive bump, no one ever bothered me.

I'm flying on Friday at 30 weeks. My midwife did my fit to fly as she said it's free from her but doctors charge. She just said not to hand it over to anyone on the outbound journey, it should be enough for them to see it. I hope you're off somewhere lovely

I fly a lot and you do need it - you will get asked from time to time mostly by patronising overbearing men. Wearing baggy clothes to the airport will minimise the amount of times you get asked.

Top tip: take a picture of the note on your phone and scan a colour copy to your email so if you do get it taken off you by an airline at some point you have another that you can print out that will look like the original. Saves a lot of hassle.

Definitley ask your midwife. I flew at 27 weeks without one (I'm a risk-taker!) and no one even looked at my bump so I'm personally glad I didn't pay for one.

Just make a copy. By the way, unless your GP is very naive it won't say that you are fit to fly it will just confirm your dates and any complications. If we say someone is fit to fly and something happens/plane has to be diverted the airline could come after us for the costs!

My standard letters say something like. "To whom it may concern, Mrs smith is pregnant with a due date of xx and she is currently xx weeks pregnant with a singleton/twin pregnancy which has been uncomplicated so far /has had the following complications. I have told her that it is the airline who decides on fitness to fly and I hope this information helps you to make that decision"

One will be enough. They just sometimes ask to see it rather than take it off you.
And don't forget travel insurance - check it covers you if anything should happen abroad such as premature birth. Unlikely but depending on where you're going, very worth having cover.

At what stage do you need a note? I'm travelling within the uk at 23 weeks. I had assumed I'd need a note if it was later on?

I had one at 26 weeks flying within Europe. Asked to show on return journey & they gave it back. Scandalous that you're being charged!

sassypants who should pay then? It isn't an NHS service and the money for letters like this hires the Drs and nurses to keep the GP practice going. It's like vaccines and travel insurance - part of the cost of he holiday.

sksk would check with airline, I googled to get my info on BA and it's 28 weeks but they do vary

Thanks- checked the BA website and it says 28 weeks. Having said that, I'm debilitated with back pain and am using crutches so I might not be able to fly anyway 😡

sks that sounds awful, hope things improve for you in the coming weeks

I'm flying with Ryanair on Wednesday at 32 weeks pg, flying back at 33 weeks. They have an online form you can print off which my midwife happily filled in and stamped at my appointment yesterday for free. Maybe check if there is a preprinted one you can do, and def ask your midwife

Thank you. Not getting much better, will see what the GP says though I'm not hopeful.

Lunchboxtroubles, do you really think it costs £15 to type & sign a letter?

sassypants they take time to write. The money is a contribution towards the GP's time and all the other costs like running the surgery. The charge is also a deterrent so people only ask for letters if they are needed. When we didn't charge, we had so many requests that it had a serious impact on the time available to see patients.

A full time GP pays over £10,000 a year in indemnity and these letters carry a medico-legal risk so that needs to be factored in.

Have you ever tried to ask a solicitor to write you a letter for £15? I doubt you'd get anywhere.

But if you asked me I'd gladly print and sign two copies for no extra fee!