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2nd Trimester
XP: PSA for Pregnant Travelers - Read if you plan on flying!
We just returned from Italy and I wanted to pass along a bit of advice to anyone who is traveling by plane while pregnant:
Even if your chosen airline does not require a doctor's note (stating weeks of pregnancy and that you are clear to fly/no complications etc), take one with you anyway! I would suggest this from 26+ weeks. Believe me, you'd rather be safe than sorry.
We had reservations through Air France from Atlanta to Paris and Paris to Florence. Air France does not require a note at 31/32 weeks. The trans-Atlantic flight was run by Delta and the Paris>Florence was a smaller European carrier, CityJet. We had no issues at all on the trip to Florence.
Saturday morning, we arrived at the Florence airport ready for the long trip home, only to be told that I would need a note from my doctor to fly on CityJet past 28 weeks! Although the flight was booked through Air France and we had no way of knowing up front we would be on CityJet, CityJet has a different set of policies and were suddenly adamant that they be followed.
My only options were to get a doctor's note faxed over (it was 3am Saturday morning in the States), or take a taxi 2 hours to Bologna where we could get an actual Air France flight from Bologna to Paris. 2 hours, a string of expensive international calls to my OB's emergency line, fax troubles, a severe pregnant woman breakdown in the middle of a foreign airport, and one very pissed off husband later, and we recieved the necessary fax and made a string of later flights home.
I had my medical records with me (a JIC measure I took in the event I had medical problems while traveling). I was 31-32 weeks and have had no issues with my pregnancy. I had done what I thought was all the research needed prior to our trip and felt comfortable and prepared. I would have never foreseen this, so let my experience be a guide and just get the note up front, even if you don't think you need it.
Even if your chosen airline does not require a doctor's note (stating weeks of pregnancy and that you are clear to fly/no complications etc), take one with you anyway! I would suggest this from 26+ weeks. Believe me, you'd rather be safe than sorry.
We had reservations through Air France from Atlanta to Paris and Paris to Florence. Air France does not require a note at 31/32 weeks. The trans-Atlantic flight was run by Delta and the Paris>Florence was a smaller European carrier, CityJet. We had no issues at all on the trip to Florence.
Saturday morning, we arrived at the Florence airport ready for the long trip home, only to be told that I would need a note from my doctor to fly on CityJet past 28 weeks! Although the flight was booked through Air France and we had no way of knowing up front we would be on CityJet, CityJet has a different set of policies and were suddenly adamant that they be followed.
My only options were to get a doctor's note faxed over (it was 3am Saturday morning in the States), or take a taxi 2 hours to Bologna where we could get an actual Air France flight from Bologna to Paris. 2 hours, a string of expensive international calls to my OB's emergency line, fax troubles, a severe pregnant woman breakdown in the middle of a foreign airport, and one very pissed off husband later, and we recieved the necessary fax and made a string of later flights home.
I had my medical records with me (a JIC measure I took in the event I had medical problems while traveling). I was 31-32 weeks and have had no issues with my pregnancy. I had done what I thought was all the research needed prior to our trip and felt comfortable and prepared. I would have never foreseen this, so let my experience be a guide and just get the note up front, even if you don't think you need it.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: XP: PSA for Pregnant Travelers - Read if you plan on flying!
EasyJet and RyanAir (two low cost European airlines) both require doctors notes after 26 weeks and the note must be written within 5 days of your departure.
It won't be a problem with large airlines. Just check the policies of every airline you are flying with even if they are booked through a larger airline/site.
it's called a kilt, he's scottish
Yes, the problem was that we were not even aware the short leg would be on a CityJet flight. As far as we knew, all of our flights were with Air France, who even admitted it was their mistake we were not better informed.
I also assume the same thing could happen in the States just as easily.
I'll second that. Two weeks I was flying United which doesn't require a note until 32 weeks and I was only 22/23 weeks. I had no problem flying out to Denver but on our way home, the male gate agent wouldn't take my word that I was only 23 weeks. He said any sort of obvious bump required a doctor's note.
We were going to miss our flight if I had to get in touch with my doctor, so we wound up speaking with a female supervisor who asked me a million questions about when we were due, when we found out, and when I conceived. I guess my answers were ok because they let us board the plane.
I'm not even that big yet ladies so if you look pregnant, save yourself the hormonal meltdown and bring a note!
good to know. we are flying air jamaica and they say they don't require proof if you are less than 36 weeks. I was going to bring my prenatal records but looks like i may need to bring a note as well!
thanks for sharing
Good tip! I may need to travel cross country for work in late October, so I'll keep this in mind.