Hello everyone. My husband has recently been diagnosed with RA related Interstitial Lung Disease and is very short of breath but not on oxygen. At rest his O2 sat is mid 90s, sometimes higher. It drops with exertion but quickly recovers. We walk 1 to 2 miles a day. When I tried to add this condition to our travel insurance they requested a Fit To Fly letter from the GP. The GP contacted the Respiratory Dept at the hospital where my husband was diagnosed, who said if his oxygen level dropped to less than 90 in a walking test he couldn't fly. So my husband practised at home and stayed above 90. However, instead of a walking test, the GP asked my husband to stand/sit repeatedly for 2 minutes. Needless to say, this put him into a state of anxiety and he failed that test, which we felt was a most unfair one.Has anyone been asked to do a Fit To Fly test and what did it involve please? My husband is so upset that we can't visit the lovely villa we have stayed in several times a year since 2007. We have discussed driving but it's not something my husband really wants to do. And the travel insurance company said even if we drove, they would require a Fit To Travel letter from the GP.
Fit to Fly certificate /test - Lung Conditions C...
Fit to Fly certificate /test
Have you tried other travel insurance companies? Several have been mentioned on this site. I've mostly used Saga, but also one or two others. Good luck.
I haven't as yet but I guess they'll all want a Fit to Fly certificate. We are currently with Staysure who cover his RA with no problem.
Try looking at the 'Search posts' notice on the top right hand side of the page for other people's suggestions. I don't know if you might be directed to a different doctor if you do need a fit to fly test. After all the company specified a walking test, not a really rigorous alternative.
I had a fit to fly test at my local hospital following a referral from my GP. But I see that Lloyds pharmacy will do one for you. They sell kits but I think it’s better to have a health professional do it for you.
Also see the following from EasyJet With the exception of emergency situations we do not provide supplementary oxygen. Small compressed air or oxygen cylinders are permitted in hand baggage for personal medical use only. Please note that they must not exceed 50cm in length, with a maximum diameter of 25cm.
Oh really? That's interesting, thank you. Wonder what the DIY test involves or is it just a Fit to Fly for COVID and not other conditions 🤔 fly with Ryanair and I read you can pay in advance for supplementary oxygen, requires a letter from GP but only one person per flight can have oxygen.
I would ring consultants secretary and explain.they can talk to consultant+ arrange 4 a letter of fit to fly..or not.ive done that before
When I did a fit to fly test in 2019, it was done at the Royal Brompton. It involved breathing an oxygen and nitrogen mix (to simulate the oxygen at altitude) for 15 minutes. Blood was taken from my ear lobe before and after the test to measure oxygen levels.
The end reading was 91%. And I ended up collapsing in the corridor after the test.
Oh heavens Airbus how stressful that must have been. At least you found out before flying. That's the kind of test I'd read about. My husband's consultant said he would ask but didn't think the NHS did the tests any more.
Why not use a portable oxygenator while he is flying?
Thank you for your reply. We've wondered about that. When my husband left hospital after 6 days on oxygen he was told he didn't need oxygen at home. We were given no information about how to go about getting any should it be required. Even if he were to have a portable oxygenator on the plane (does Ryanair even allow you to take one I wonder), the travel insurance company still require a fit to fly certificate. The GP who failed him didn't suggest oxygen either.
hello Clovergass. I had a similar experience. I got round it by requesting oxygen for the flight. You have to do a Hypoxic challenge test. They cost about 250-300 (NHS doesn’t want to seem to do it anymore 😩). That will show if your husband needs oxygen on the flight not an arbitrary sit/stand test. Most airlines are happy to provide it free of charge. I just came back from Dubai which is about 8 hrs. have to say once I got my head around the requirements you have to push really hard for the sign-off (pre-Covid it was a lot easier).
I hope you can manage to get it signed off.
Apologies for a rather late reply. I did a fitness to fly test at Guys hospital London after being referred by my doctor. It entailed breathing in oxygen, simulating the oxygen on airlines, for 20 minutes , then a walking test (cannot remember the details). Anyway, I passed but I didn't receive a certificate of any kind and the airline didn't ask to see one. Although I am sure they would have if I had required assistance on the flight. I managed a 9 hour flight to Dallas followed by another 1.5 hours to Albuqueque. I picked up canisters of oxygen in the States when at nearly 9000 feet. At 82 I consider myself lucky to have got away with it!
I would certainly have an "official" test rather than a DIY in case anything did go wrong and could be open to question. Good luck.
Thank you Seaberg that's very informative. Can you recall if you felt affected by the 5% drop in oxygen during or after the test? My husband is adamant he would be fine on a flight to Spain (that's because he's so desperate to go back). I am more cautious as let's face it, you can't open a window or get off the plane if you do become distressed.
Hello Clovergrass. I wasn't affected during or after the test. It seems different hospitals and doctors have different criteria.
The thought of getting distressed on the flight is worrying. It sounds as though you and your husband are reasonably active so perhaps he (or even both of you!) need deep breathing and relaxation exercises ? Sorry that doesn't sound very helpful but deep breathing helped me before doing various tests.
I do hope you can get this sorted and you can enjoy Spain together again.
Best wishes
Thank you. That's very encouraging. My husband really does need pulmonary rehabilitation. We are waiting for a referral. His breathing technique is very poor. He has a habit of huffing out air and panting instead of breathing in. If I suggest breathing in deeply, he sniffs instead of breathing. He only seems able to take shallow breaths. I'm sure he would benefit greatly from breathing exercises. Fingers crossed for that appointment .. and for that flight to Spain🤞
I am so pleased that you brought this subject up here. I have not tried to fly since 2018 pre covid. I was managing well back then but have deteriorated since. I would only want a 2 to 3 hour flight to Europe and I am very tempted to not say anything about my condition and just fly. I guess that would be too risky and I am not by nature a dishonest person so I wouldn't lie to an insurance company. I would be travelling alone and that presents its own challenge. Guess I may have to consider other forms of travel by train or ferry. I would be interested to hear if you were able to travel eventually. Best wishes to you JJ xxx
Hello. Yes we flew to Spain in late April. My husband felt fine until the last 15 minutes when he felt a little lightheaded but the plane began descending at that point and he instantly felt better. He was fine on the way back so I think he was just nervous. How I did it was not to phone the travel insurance and speak to a human but to log onto our account and add the condition that way. There were a few questions such as is he on oxygen/ have a chest infection etc and I answered all with honesty. No mention of a fit to fly letter and just came up with the extra money we would have to pay. I do hope this will work for you too. My husband is still on a high from having made it to Spain!
YAY!!! I am so happy for you both 
I will follow your example and complete forms on line and see what happens. This is great advice Clovergrass so thank you for helpful post. If I travel, I will post here any problems I encounter to help others. Hope you have many lovely trips to Spain and elsewhere xxx JJ xxx
Thank you. Hoping for another trip to Spain in September. My fingers are crossed for you and I wish you good luck. Do let me know how you get on. We are insured with Staysure by the way.
Thank you for Staysure recommendation . I wish you a very happy time in Spain in September. I have no travel plans yet but I am picking up alot of great information on this web site. Thank you. Love JJ_7❤️🔥xxx
Fit to fly assessment or Hypoxic Challenge test
Fitness to fly
Private Fitness-to-fly hypoxia tests
Pneumonia
