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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Ryanair - can I just say I'm 27 weeks when actually 28?

15 replies

Podemos · 09/03/2019 12:07

Ryanair have a policy that you need a fit to fly letter from 28 weeks. I'll be doing a very short return flight during week 28. I asked my midwife at last appointment. She said to go to GP first but if they are going to charge lots of money then she'll see if she can do it.

It all seems like a bit of a hassle for the matter of being a few more days pregnant. I'm low risk. I can't see anything in their policy to say I need to prove I'm under 28 weeks if I don't take a fit to fly letter.

If they question me and I say I'm 27 weeks- is that it? Have they covered themselves?

Obviously I have insurance for the trip overall and have made sure I'm covered.

I'll get it if people advise I really need it, but working a minimum 50hr week at the mo and it's so hard to find time to fit these extra jobs in.

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Sirzy · 09/03/2019 12:08

Wouldn’t your insurance become invalid if you lied to the airline though?

Is it really worth the risk of being stranded?

Thisismyusernamefornow · 09/03/2019 12:10

I think it comes down to the people on Duty in the day you fly. If they want to refuse you permission to fly, they can do - the letter is the proof they require to uphold this decision.

Original poster

Podemos · 09/03/2019 12:22

I have thought about that. But it really is a short flight so there's no chance of actually being stranded- just more of a pain to get back. With insurance it would only apply to the tiny tiny chance of something happening on the flight- and even then I'm not sure the airline's own policy would impact on the insurance's policy but will look into it . Anything that happened on the trip or on the return flight wouldn't have any impact on insurance.

My thought is what if I actually was 27 weeks- I wouldn't have even asked for a fit to fly letter from my midwife. So if I was genuinely 27 weeks and just looked quite big, would they actually refuse to let my fly?How would that stand up when they have nowhere in their policy that I'd need proof.

OP posts:

SinkyMalinks · 09/03/2019 12:40

Last pregnancy I flew at 23 weeks. I always carry big and it caused huge problems getting home (I hadn’t even thought about getting a letter). I was eventually allowed to fly but there was a real risk of being abandoned in Copenhagen.

I’m flying again tomorrow. This time at 28 weeks. My airline let you fly till 35 weeks and don’t require a letter, but I’ve got one, mainly to make sure they believe I’m less than 35 weeks 🙄.

My midwife was happy to do the form at my last antenatal appointment though. It’s a bit crap she’s trying to dump this on your gp (who I’m guessing knows less about your pregnancy than she does?)

HelloRose · 09/03/2019 15:59

I'm flying with BA 29wks. My midwife said she'll write a note for me at my 28wk appointment the week before. She didn't mention having to see the GP and was fine to do it herself.
BA policy is 35wks I believe, but taking a letter just in case.

Thismummyruns · 09/03/2019 22:34

I flew with Ryanair a few weeks ago at 27 weeks. Took all my notes, everything to say due date etc. On both flights not one person questioned me, acknowledged my bump or anything! I'm not particularly small either

Not to say that would be the case for you but you never know!

DrWhy · 09/03/2019 22:37

My midwife had a standard letter that she’s print and sign, was also happy to fill in the specific one that Flybe ask for. No one ever checked them though.

PBobs · 10/03/2019 02:13

I'm pretty sure that if you lie on the flight it invalidates the whole insurance for the whole trip - because insurance has get out clauses for most things. If something happens while you're away then you may be asked to prove you were classed as fit to travel/fly. Which you will not be able to do. I say this having done heaps of flights during my pregnancy and with a very very generous global health insurance policy - not a travel only one. I wouldn't risk it.

PBobs · 10/03/2019 02:15

Just to add I was asked for proof the other day at 25 weeks - and most people I know don't know I'm pregnant. That was the eagle eyed lady at check in. Plus the letter has enabled me to skip all sorts of rotten long queues. I've found it quite useful.

Nowthenforever2019 · 10/03/2019 02:31

I got a letter at 24 weeks to fly, as even though it wasn't needed until 27 weeks with the airline I had heard stories of people being refused if they had no proof with them of being under 27 weeks, iyswim.

My midwife printed a standard letter and signed it with no fuss though.

Limpshade · 10/03/2019 03:00

It's not that much of a hassle to get a letter. I really wouldn't invalidate your travel insurance for the sake of having to run one extra errand.

NightCzar · 10/03/2019 03:50

I was asked in Portugal by a cheap airline - can't remember which - at 24 weeks, by both the check-in person and the person scanning the boarding cards at the gate. They both seemed to read it really carefully.

Wasn't asked when leaving the UK.

I would just get it done.

cheesemumma · 10/03/2019 06:13

If they ask you and you don't have proof, saying you're 27 weeks won't stop them refusing the flight. I have been asked for the letter before, and other times not.

With most airlines there's normally a standard letter that you can print off the website and just get someone to sign. I'd do it why give yourself the extra stress- god forbid they refuse you on the return flight!

BellaNutella88 · 10/03/2019 06:49

I’m sorting this at the moment. I fly out with Ryanair at 27w +1 and fly back at 28w+1. I rang Ryanair and the woman told me I didn’t need anything but the website obviously says different. Ryanair have their own form that has to be completed by the midwife/ doctor. I asked my midwife this week and she will fill it out next time for me.

The only problem is the letter is meant to within 14 days of the flight and my appointment is 16 days before that return flight.

But I’d say air on the side of caution and if you have an app close just get it signed at that. Plus my insurance is void if something happens and I didn’t have a certificate that I was fit to fly.

Does seem a bit odd though - depending on how big I am in 6 weeks they might not even ask?

Russell19 · 16/03/2019 09:51

I flew with jet2 a few weeks ago when I was 27 weeks (was 27+6 on return flight). Nobody asked anything or seemed to even notice flying out but on my return as I was getting on the plane I was asked how many weeks I was. I said 27 and she said that's fine on you get! I felt calm about it though as if I was questioned or there were any issues I had a copy of my MATB form in my bag to prove I didn't need a doctors note. But in the grand scheme of things if you say 27 they can't ask you to produce anything to prove it x

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