Must fly from San Diego to Frankfurt in June. What airlines will be really flying?
May 24, 2020, 9:59 am
#16
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Join Date: May 2020
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Not to add to your stress, but I assume your medical clearance was issued by a German authority, correct? If you are permitted to board the flight to Germany, you will still need to present yourself to the Bundespolizei to clear immigration formalities. If you have been issued with a clearance to enter Germany from a competent German authority (for example the embassy, your German doctor stressing the importance of the procedure which was booked before Covid-19, etc) then you will be ok. I think a note from your US doctor, on the other hand, would not be sufficient reason to let you enter. I would call the Bundespolizei and inform myself how this is likely to play out. Good luck!
Yes, my doctor in Frankfurt is giving me a clearance letter, and he has done this with 2 other patients from the USA in the last 2 months. However, they did say to expect some issues when checking in, for at least one other patient the USA check-in process involved them calling security at FRA to be sure it was all OK. It is one of the reasons I am really trying to fly on a single airline, with one booking, through at most one US connection and then on directly to Frankfurt.
And I did buy "cancel for any reason" trip insurance just in case.
May 24, 2020, 12:00 pm
#17
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Ok, sounds good. I’d still give the BP at FRA a call, just for comfort.
May 25, 2020, 12:55 am
#18
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Thank you for the appropriate warning, especially for others who may read this thread.
Yes, my doctor in Frankfurt is giving me a clearance letter, and he has done this with 2 other patients from the USA in the last 2 months. However, they did say to expect some issues when checking in, for at least one other patient the USA check-in process involved them calling security at FRA to be sure it was all OK. It is one of the reasons I am really trying to fly on a single airline, with one booking, through at most one US connection and then on directly to Frankfurt.
And I did buy "cancel for any reason" trip insurance just in case.
Yes, my doctor in Frankfurt is giving me a clearance letter, and he has done this with 2 other patients from the USA in the last 2 months. However, they did say to expect some issues when checking in, for at least one other patient the USA check-in process involved them calling security at FRA to be sure it was all OK. It is one of the reasons I am really trying to fly on a single airline, with one booking, through at most one US connection and then on directly to Frankfurt.
And I did buy "cancel for any reason" trip insurance just in case.
May 25, 2020, 1:56 am
#19
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I don't think that the Frankfurt doctor is giving any opinion on Covid-19, but rather confirming that there is an essential operation scheduled. Not that that amounts to a clearance.
May 25, 2020, 4:39 am
#21
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Maybe there's a nice BP officer on duty. The question is whether he will be able to board in the first place.
Jun 14, 2020, 12:18 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 12
Update
Well that was an interesting start.
Went to the airport to check in.
America airlines wouldn't accept my entry authorization letter. They have no provision listed in their system for a medical exception. Trust me, I worked that counter a long time and they all wanted to help but the staff on the phone locked me out. They called 3 times begging for me.
So...
I went to the United desk... And... No problem. They scanned my letter, sent it to some medical desk and then cleared me. Got the last Business class seat and had to run, but I am now in
the air! It's a tight connection at IAD, which it why I didn't choose this flight in the first place, but looks good at the moment.
Germany allows entry for genuine essential medical treatment. Which I am overdue for. Trust me, it's not going to be a fun trip.
Well that was an interesting start.
Went to the airport to check in.
America airlines wouldn't accept my entry authorization letter. They have no provision listed in their system for a medical exception. Trust me, I worked that counter a long time and they all wanted to help but the staff on the phone locked me out. They called 3 times begging for me.
So...
I went to the United desk... And... No problem. They scanned my letter, sent it to some medical desk and then cleared me. Got the last Business class seat and had to run, but I am now in
the air! It's a tight connection at IAD, which it why I didn't choose this flight in the first place, but looks good at the moment.
Germany allows entry for genuine essential medical treatment. Which I am overdue for. Trust me, it's not going to be a fun trip.
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Jun 14, 2020 at 1:52 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts
Jun 14, 2020, 12:48 pm
#23
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UA546 is expected to arrive early and the departure of UA989 is slightly delayed, so you should be fine!
Jun 14, 2020, 4:15 pm
#26
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Jun 14, 2020, 10:58 pm
#28
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As noted there is another poster also flying from the US to Germany for medical treatment. It is very common in Germany for hospitals and clinics to have a travel department to facilitate for foreign visitors to receive medical treatment. They make a number of arrangements and this is exactly what they are there for ie to smooth the way for people to receive care they may not be able to access at home.
Safe travels to you, and to the other poster also going to Germany for treatment.
Jun 15, 2020, 4:09 am
#29
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Join Date: May 2020
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No problem at the passport control in Frankfurt. They checked the letter and waved me in. Now resting at my hotel.
Thanks to everyone for the help and comments.
Thanks to everyone for the help and comments.
Jun 15, 2020, 6:37 am
#30
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