Fit To Fly Letters: What are they and do you need one?
Written by Maria Hughes
Travel Expert
Reviewed by Dr Ellen Welch
NHS GP and resident medical expert
Are you fit to fly?
When might you need medical clearance to fly
Some passengers may be asked by their airline to provide medical information or evidence that they are fit to travel. What is required depends on your medical circumstances and the airline’s policy. If you have a stable condition then there is generally no need to be cleared for travel.
What is a “Fit to Fly Certificate”?
There is no single standard document officially called a Fit to Fly Certificate.
Instead, an airline may ask for medical information if it has concerns about whether a passenger can travel safely. Depending on the airline and the circumstances, this might be a doctor’s letter, a medical certificate, or the airline’s own medical form, often called a MEDIF.
Most people with stable medical conditions do not need formal medical clearance to fly. If you are unsure, check with your airline first to find out exactly what documentation, if any, it requires.
Travelling with a medical condition
Some medical conditions may require additional information or medical clearance, particularly if the condition is unstable, has recently changed, could be affected by the aircraft environment, or means you require medical support during the flight.
Pregnancy and air travel
Many airlines require pregnant passengers beyond a certain gestational period to provide a medical certificate or letter from their healthcare provider. The CAA says most airlines require a certificate after 28 weeks confirming the pregnancy is progressing normally, there are no complications and stating the expected date of delivery. Most airlines don’t allow travel after 36 weeks for a singleton pregnancy or 32 weeks for a multiple pregnancy.
Post-surgery or recent illness
Following some operations, significant illnesses or injuries, an airline may require medical information or clearance before accepting you for travel. How soon it is safe to fly depends on the individual condition and treatment. Airlines will also have their own policies around contagious illnesses and public health considerations and you should check with your airline prior to travel.
Mental health
If a mental health condition could affect your ability to travel safely or has recently been unstable, your airline may request medical information or clearance before travel.
Special medical equipment
If you need to take or use medical equipment such as a CPAP machine or supplemental oxygen, contact your airline well before travel. Airlines have their own requirements for carrying and using medical equipment, and some circumstances may require additional medical information or clearance.
Travelling with a disability
Having a disability does not in itself mean that you need medical clearance to fly. Airlines should only request medical information where there is a genuine reason to assess whether you can complete the flight safely. If you require assistance at the airport or on your journey, contact your airline in advance to arrange it.
Airline-specific requirements
Each airline has its own policies regarding medical clearance to fly. The airline, rather than your doctor, ultimately decides whether you can be accepted for travel and what medical documentation it requires.
Most passengers do not need formal medical clearance to fly. However, an airline may ask for medical information or evidence in certain circumstances, particularly following a significant change in health, during later pregnancy, or where a medical condition or treatment could affect safety during the flight.
Check your airline’s requirements first. If it requires medical information, find out exactly what documentation it needs and who needs to complete it.
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