Hi thanks very much for all the replies. I have already informed my travel insurance of my my injury and of my pending operation. Insurance are happy for me to fly if I have consultant clearance, my cast or knee brace will have been in place for nearly 5 weeks when I am due to fly. When I booked the seats on ba no warning came up to say that the seat was emergency exit. I am going to contact my travel agent to see if we could upgrade and also ba directly to double check the seating and airport assistance. If it was only my husband and I traveling I would have just cancelled and claimed via insurance, however 14 family and friends are all going out for my birthday on different flights all over the U.K. I will be in cast for 3 weeks thigh to foot, however my consultant hopeful that he will have me in a hinged brace at week 3 with a hopefully 90 degree bend. He recommends I take split cast in case I need extra support. It's not idea I know and I don't think the flight will be comfortable at all, I could elevate my leg on my husbands seat for short periods also. Thanks everyone you've all been very helpful