The_Bouncer

That could get a bit messy, considering I am currently over 1,000 miles from my own doctor, so it would involve emailing him the KLM certificate to sign, stamp and post to me in the UK. Either that or have a local doctor here sign it, based on the written evidence from my own doctor.

I would be departing the UK for the long haul flight, so the test should not be insurmountable for the outbound journey. The return may be an issue though.

Alternatively, what are the chances of getting to Dar Es Salaam via BA/partner flights? All I can find on Kayak is QR and I think they allow business class passengers discretion on the mask. Transit at DOH airport may be an issue though.

The BA app gives me the option of a flight to Nairobi with a connection on KQ the following morning, but that opens up the questions of KQ's policy, Kenyan entry requirements (or staying airside overnight at NBO).

dwugson

I have a somewhat contrary opinion. If you can't wear a mask and have a genuinely serious reason to travel now, get a certificate from your doctor that includes a recent covid test and evidence that you have been self isolating. Not wearing a mask and travelling for pleasure is the equivalent to me of the jaunt outside the hospital on Sunday. Yes, I sound rigid but there are many types of masks and I really can't come up with any genuine medical reason not to wear one including pulmonary problems or claustrophobia. Given the state of the virus at the moment, if you can't wear a mask, don't travel except for emergent situations.

MikeBOS

+1. The US airlines (except Delta) make it simple: if you can't wear a mask, you can't fly. IMHO no travel is so urgent that it can't be postponed to a time when there is no threat to others' health.

nomiiiii

There's lots of travel that is urgent enough - death or critical condition in the family, job loss etc leading to potential overstay of visa (will get denied for future visits), OP finding they have terminal cancer and this is the last few months to live and therefore accomplish their travel dreams, and so on.

We should not be gatekeepers on who can and cannot travel, and try to accomodate all disabilitiies.

dwugson

I made it clear that emergent situations were in a different category. However I still think that the majority of people should be able to wear a mask. Maybe those that can't can be seated in a separate area and be together. As I said before, my opinion will be disputed but the consequences of spread and continuation of this are too great not to take it seriously.

Jagboi

The OP has a medical exemption, and BA's medical desk has accepted his documentation. That is all we need to know and should accept that without further comment and move forward helping him to his destination in the way that this forum is known for helping people and providing timely, relevant advice.

The_Bouncer

I am not here for a moral debate. As for your medical opinion, unless you are a doctor with the appropriate specialism and are offering to manage the condition and my 40+ years of medical history, I'll stick with the considered opinion of my own doctor, thank you.

I am not proposing travelling with a US carrier and as previously mentioned, I am not here for a moral debate. I am seeking a carrier which does not discriminate on the basis of medical needs. BA seems to fit that description.

Often1

That is not in question.

What is in question is that he has raised the prospect of a journey on KL. KL is not so lax as BA and has very specific requirements which OP notes that he will find hard to meet.

The other examples are simply to point out that KL is in the middle ground. US carriers (other than DL) have no exemptions whatsoever. DL requires the passenger to undergo a video interview with its chosen physician who will make the assessment as to whether the passenger will be exempted.

The real takeaway is that one should carefully review the requirements of the operating carrier for each segment of one's ticket.

The_Bouncer

Thank you to everyone who has posted helpful and supportive responses. As this is the BA forum and BA is a clear winner in terms of my preferred carrier, I would like to focus on how to go about getting to DAR using BA and partners.

From what I can gather, the nearest BA can get me to DAR is NBO. Kenya requires a negative PCR test for entry, which should be possible to obtain in GB before my departure. The issue is travelling onwards to DAR.

The BA app offers the connection with KQ. After my stellar experience with BA tonight, I would prefer to deal with BA if at all possible. How likely is BA's assistance team to liaise with KQ on my behalf?

jerry a. laska

I very much doubt that BA will liaise with KQ on your behalf if by that you mean that you would like BA's assistance team to contact, negotiate, persuade, or work with KQ to have them allow you to not wear a face mask. BA is selling you a ticket that includes a KQ flight that is governed by KQ's and Kenya's rules onboard -- not a KQ flight that will be governed by BA's and UK rules onboard. KQ requirements (whatever they may be) will be their's and BA will not have any influence on that. I think you will need to determine if you can satisfy KQ's mask rules by your own means and I would do that before purchasing the ticket.

CPH-Flyer

QR basically allows you to take off the mask in business class, and during the transit in Doha you would also be able to take it of while in the lounge. Not quite how the rules are worded, but how the enforcement works.

I don't know if QR accepts medical exceptions for mask usage.

13901

Other Half operated a flight yesterday; a gentleman, on boarding, told her that he had a medical exemption and showed some paperwork. No problems whatsoever.

wilko1

I have an upcoming flight on KQ, and they have been very clear on pre-flight emails: No mask no flight. There is not an obvious exemption list, but such information may be available on request. I haven't actually flown with them yet to comment if this is observed.

The_Bouncer I would also just add: as a medical doctor, we have been told not to provide any medical exemption certificates/letters for masks. You should recognise there is a definite difference of medical and political opinions on this as to whether there are valid medical exemptions, to the extent of any such exemptions, and even if there is an exemption whether that person should be allowed to fly. Just because one doctor in one country feels there is an exemption, it does not mean it will be either recognised or accepted as valid in another (especially in Africa). There may well be a situation where you are faced with a choice of either traveling with a mask or not traveling at all. If such a choice is unpalatable, you should be seriously considering whether you should be undertaking the journey.

fransknorge

Medical doctors in my entourage also are very clear they will not provide any exemption letters, all on the basis any valid medical exemptions also means that the person is too fragile to travel. The medical European Respiratory Association also agrees on that.
The Nairobi airport website also mentions "all passengers must wear a mask", no words of exemption.

ScruttonStreet

As a passenger, do I have any rights to move seats if a person with such a medical exemption sits next to me? While I have sympathy with the OP's predicament, I for one would not wish to risk sitting next to someone who wasn't wearing a mask.