Flying in a cast

juliethemuse

Going to Las Vegas in October from Heathrow. but OH is in a cast below the knee.
We asked at the fracture clinic if it was ok to fly and he just said he might need a special boot.
Does anyone know if we need a medical certificate to fly and advise where is the best place to ask. I have been googling but apart from reading about needing 48 hrs after it has been fitted I cant find much info on what certificate we will need. TIA.

London50

Hi

For safety and not risking you holiday flight being refused I think I would contact the hospital where the cast was put on and request a certificate stating when the cast was fitted and that they agree that {with or without any special boot} that in their opinion your OH will be OK to fly. I would then contact the airline and ask them to confirm {either by letter or email that you can print off} that with the certificate flying on your dates are OK.
I think then that you will have peace of mind knowing that you have done everything you can to cover yourselves

brewthebear

Hi when i was in a cast recently I was told by the hospital I would NOT be able to fly long haul as the leg would swell and the circulation cut off due to the cast I should check with your hospital again Also airlines will not take responsibilty for you

brewthebear

Sorry forgot to say Im now in an airboot (which you can fly with it on ) but if your fracture has not healed this will not give you support

polskiegowLondynie

Would also contact the airline involved and ask them too if you do get the medical ok. Best to cover all bases.

stephb34

Can't speak for all airlines but Thomas cook let you fly with a split cast.

susan1

You will need a fit to fly letter
Your cast will need to be split
And you will need to let your insurance company know.

rugbyleague

I had this issue in August (I only flew from Manchester to London though). The airline will ask for a fit to fly letter and you should ask your doctor to issue it (he/she may have to split the cast to allow for expansion). Sort all this out before you arrive at the airport.

One piece of advise I suggest is get the airline to help with wheelchairs etc. at the airports. I found the airports incredibly hard work when I was non weight baring......

bestoluck

Ian

paddyrg

Can you even fit in the narrow-pitch seats you get in economy? Worth upgrading so you can actually stretch out?

My wife and I love the far East but have agreed to never do long haul in economy ever again, and that's fit and healthy.

ChristineL

A few years back I broke the fibia in my leg a week before I was due to fly to America. A couple of days before the flight I asked the doctor in the fracture clinic about the possibility of flying. That included a very serious discussion about the risks of DVT which is a particular risk. And since I was a low risk in many other ways (age, weight, good health, non smoker, ...) we agreed I could fly. I was also flying in business class and travelling with someone else who could handle my luggage as well. So the doctor fitted an air boot instead of a cast:

You absolutely cannot fly with a fixed cast. Hospitals used to split fixed casts down the two side and then tape them up again but these days air boots are much more often used.

Even if your doctor agrees to you travelling, do notify your travel insurance company too to make sure that you are still covered. And bear in mind the journey will be stressful and uncomfortable for both of you and possibly painful for your OH. Be prepared for that and allow yourselves lots of extra time at airports to deal with things. Plus of course stay clear of the booze.

Good luck.

basill

A friend travelled last year with a crutches and a knee brace fitted following an op. He did have a doctors letter but no one asked to check.

Easyjet were excellent, once they were notified they arranged transport to the gate by cart and wheelchair, loaded him on to the plane using the outside lift along with the food and saved seats so we all sat together for the flight out.
For the return our party were all invited through the disabled security avoiding the need to stand and queue, once again wheelchair assistance was provided for the invalid.

All this arranged a few weeks before the flight and long after booking.

I realise you are going a bit further but if the doc allows you to fly it's well worth asking your airline about special assistance.

Suppose this could go in "Praise" as well.


B