work trip while pregnant - is business class a reasonable ask?

[Anonymous]

I have been pregnant four times and have flown at 35 weeks pregnant. I’m not quite sure how business class would help, to be honest. I would try to get out of the trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would check with your airline and your OB about flying at all that late tbh

I agree. I developed sudden and severe pre-e at 34 weeks and baby was born within a day of the diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get your doctor to write you a note - no travel after 30 weeks. My DW did this to get out of frequent domestic travel in her last trimester. Her work was wanting her out on the road 2-3 days per week during weeks 32-36 and she told them to get stuffed. Even at week 30, flying for a few hours was VERY uncomfortable. Her ankles swelled up massively, the seats are tight, etc. Eight hours each way, honestly, would be miserable.

You work can send someone else and/or let you Zoom into the meeting.

My doc literally told me point blank that she’d write me such a letter saying whatever date in pregnancy I wanted lol. This is great advice and most docs will deliver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whoever says diva has obviously never been pregnant. I would definitely ask. And definitely confirm with my doctor that it's ok to go.

No one thinks OP is actually a Diva for wanting this. I think OP is trying to get a sense of how the request will be perceived.

I 1000% think OP should be allowed to fly business, while also agreeing that the request might make her appear to be a diva.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unless you are an executive, no.

In the era of metoo and timeup, companies are bending backward to accommodate women. Just ask and they will get you business class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

Im pretty sure this is the fed rule but it may be just the level beyond coach- Idk if that is business but I do remember reading something about that in our contractor manual on travel.

[Anonymous]

If you want it, you pay the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

Im pretty sure this is the fed rule but it may be just the level beyond coach- Idk if that is business but I do remember reading something about that in our contractor manual on travel.

Federal employee? Uh no. That would be 14 hours but even with a longer than 14 hour trip you may have to follow individual agency guidance, which may deviate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would check that the airline will let you fly internationally pregnant at 31 weeks. When will you be returning? The return flight will also be under question.

+1 This was my first thought as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our policy is business class for anything over 6 hours.

I’d totally ask.

This should be the policy for anyone. I would not travel for work in coach for a flight over 6 hours.

Diva.

[Anonymous]

I have flown to the US to give birth to 3 kids. The travel itself is one thing. At least in my experience, you have to have documentation from a doc saying 1) your due date and 2) your doc's okay. So no need to get your doc to say you can't travel, past 32 weeks it is unusual (or was) for any airline to even allow it, unl;ess your doc lies

[Anonymous]

I did this, op. Make sure they offer like flat seats, use them, and buy compression socks at CVS or on Amazon. Drink a lot of water, move around. My company does not have a business class culture. There was a 14 hour flight. I said, I'm happy go and represent the company/my team/ etc. My doc is ok with me going away, but the issue is the very long flight. She said business class would be ok but not coach.
My company wanted me to go and gave me approval. I was not a diva. I traveled plenty before and plenty after for work, always in coach...

[Anonymous]

There are a couple issues here.

Should you ask? Of course you should. But so should ANYBODY.

Is there a medical reason why they should approve? No. There is no condition specifically tied to pregnancy that makes a business class seat safer/healthier than economy.

I’m his is about business culture and advocating for oneself, regardless of pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I would check the written company policy so that I understand the rules clearly before seeking an exception.

Personally, I would not ask for that accommodation. I’ve had two children, and traveled on long flights when pregnant with both of them through 31 weeks with one and 32 weeks with the other. I just made sure to get an aisle seat in the emergency exit rail, which provides more room to move your legs and an aisle for standing up moving if needed. I really don’t see how business class would help in any measurable regard.

Of course if there are particular concerns about your pregnancy that are unusual and it needs some other accommodation, that’s a different story. But for regular travel for a pregnancy I would actually think you are a diva for asking for an exception to normal travel policy.

That said, the bigger risk may be as you know blood clots, and it doesn’t matter much your seat type in terms of preventing, and also your doctors comfort with you traveling at that time in any event.

I would sooner decline to travel if I needed an accommodation than to ask for business class, which doesn’t really seem to do anything to provide additional medical support.