Fit To Fly Certificate
Your airline needs medical clearance before you board. Get a signed GP certificate next-day before 9AM, no appointment.
✔ Accepted by airlines, travel insurers & destination authorities.
✔ FCDO and GMC registered UK GPs — same standard as your NHS doctor.
✔ Same day for most or before 9AM next-day. Only £67.
GET MY FIT TO FLY 
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
Dr Maria Knobel Medical Director 
Excellent service. Not long after filling in the entire form, I got connected to a Doctor and the process went very smoothly. Highly recommended.- Mary, London W7
Super quick response, highly recommended service. - Kurt, London SW6
How It Works
Complete a short online questionnaire
No appointment required. Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.
Doctor reviews your evidence
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually. No automated approvals.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
Receive your certificate
Certificates arrive most same day, all by 9AM next morning, delivered as a signed PDF direct to your inbox.
Very happy, I ordered my Medical Certificate in the early morning hours and before noon time of same day I had it on my inbox. Speedy service and they present the health condition precisely, get to the point.
They meet the incredibly fast turnaround stated (certificate/letter sent before 9am the following morning if the doctor feels that a letter/certificate is appropriate) which is incredibly quick and I am really grateful for the help provided!
Very easy and quick to get my certificate. And the certificate was approved from the specific company to travel with my dog. I will use them again. Well done.
Second time using this company and they are fabulous! Always great, fast, friendly service. Highly recommend!
This was my second time using Medical Cert, and once again the service was exceptionally quick and professional. Everything was handled efficiently, with clear communication throughout.
I found the service very straight forward and quick. Exactly what I needed to get my Padi medical form signed before our holiday. Thank you very much.
Process was easy and responses were quick. I would recommend their service.
Fast efficient service for medical certificates. I used the not fit to fly service and was provided with a certificate the next day, the price is very reasonable and enabled a flight credit refund with my airline. Would recommend and would use again if needed.
A fast and efficient service. It wasn't complicated and the Fit-to-fly note was accepted by the Airport without any further questions. Thank you.
Ideal for me, I am looking to get a certificate for some medical issues I have. So this is the perfect solution for me, uploading docs was easy and the forms very straightforward to fill in. Will definitely use them again. Many thanks.
Excellent service. Easy to use and certificate issued in less than 24 hours. £39 as opposed to the £150 my GP charges. Highly recommended.
Quick and reasonably pain-free. Received their standard certificate as well as my requested bespoke certificate, by email, by 9am the following morning. Both completed properly, signed and stamped as required. More expensive than my GP, but infinitely quicker and easier.
One of the best experiences. It's easy to get a GP note.
Excellent. My GP refuses to issue DWP MED 3 Fit Notes to students. MedicalCert were excellent and extremely helpful in providing a necessary certificate. Highly recommended.
You were amazing, you kept me updated and replied promptly to any queries I had. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
They helped me, they were very professional and nice.
Very pleased. Quick service with very professional letter provided.
Great service, pretty straight forward and easy to use the website.
I was recommended Medical Cert by a friend and was so impressed with the service received. I would recommend using a laptop rather than a phone. Overall a fantastic and fast service.
Get a Fit to Fly Certificate Online — GMC-Registered Doctors
A fit to fly certificate — also called a fit to fly letter or medical clearance to fly — is a signed document from a registered doctor confirming you are medically safe to travel by air. Airlines may require one if you have a recent medical condition, have had surgery, are pregnant, or have a chronic illness that could be affected by cabin pressure or reduced oxygen.
MedicalCert issues a fit to fly certificate UK patients can apply for online — following individual clinical review by a GMC-registered GP. No appointment needed — complete a short online consultation, upload your evidence, and receive your signed flight medical certificate same day or by 9AM next morning. Full refund if a certificate cannot be issued on clinical grounds.
What Is a Fit to Fly Certificate?
A fit to fly certificate is a signed document from a GMC-registered GP confirming that a passenger's condition is stable and that air travel does not pose an unacceptable clinical risk. It is not a guarantee of safety — it is a doctor's professional opinion, based on the information provided, that you are fit to travel by air on the specified date.
Airlines request a fitness to fly letter to confirm your condition will not deteriorate during the flight and that you will not require emergency medical intervention on board. The IATA Medical Manual provides the framework most airlines follow when setting their own medical clearance policies. Travel insurers may also request a fit for flight certificate as part of pre-departure documentation or a travel claim.
This document is known by several names — all referring to the same type of medical letter:
Do I Need a Fit to Fly Certificate?
Most healthy passengers do not need one. You are likely to need a fit to fly certificate — or your airline may request one — in any of the following situations:
Most airlines require medical clearance if you have had surgery or been discharged from hospital within the preceding 4 to 6 weeks. The risk of DVT and pressure-related complications is higher in the post-operative period, as outlined in CAA passenger fitness guidance.
A fit to fly certificate for heart condition confirms cardiac status is stable for the reduced cabin oxygen environment. Required for stable angina, treated heart attack, heart failure, pacemakers, and ICDs. The British Cardiovascular Society recommends individual assessment for post-cardiac-event passengers.
COPD, severe asthma, and reduced lung capacity may require clearance — particularly for long-haul routes. The CAA advises that cabin air is equivalent to breathing at approximately 6,000 to 8,000 feet altitude, which can significantly affect patients with compromised respiratory function.
Most airlines require a fit to fly letter from 28 weeks for a single pregnancy (26 to 28 weeks for multiples). After 36 weeks (single) or 32 weeks (multiples), most airlines will not carry you. See our Pregnancy Fit to Fly Certificate page.
Airlines may require medical clearance if you are travelling with a plaster cast — particularly on long-haul routes — due to the risk of swelling from cabin pressure changes. The CAA recommends some casts be bivalved before flying within 48 hours of application.
A waiting period of at least 10 days post-TIA is typically advised before flying. Airlines will request written confirmation that your condition has stabilised and air travel is medically appropriate.
Diabetes, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis may require a certificate if your airline has flagged your condition or if you require supplementary oxygen or special assistance. The IATA Medical Manual provides guidance airlines use when assessing these requests.
Certain procedures — particularly those involving gas injection such as retinal detachment repair — carry specific risk from cabin pressure change. Your surgeon should advise on the minimum safe wait before flying.
Recovering from chickenpox? See our Chickenpox Recovery Certificate. Need written confirmation you are unfit to fly for cancellation or insurance? See our Unable to Fly Letter.
When Is a Fit to Fly Certificate Required? Common Conditions and Scenarios
The table below summarises whether a fit to fly certificate is typically required across the most common medical situations, what the certificate should confirm, and any additional considerations. Individual airline policies vary — always verify directly with your carrier before travel, as the IATA framework sets minimum standards that airlines may exceed.
| Condition / scenario | Certificate typically required? | What the letter should confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy (28+ weeks, single) | ✔ Yes (most airlines) | Gestational age, singleton or multiple, expected due date, no complications contraindicting travel. Most airlines refuse boarding after 36 weeks (single) or 32 weeks (multiples). |
| Recent surgery (within 10 days) | ✔ Yes | Procedure type and date, recovery status, that the patient is clinically stable and that cabin pressure changes present no unacceptable risk at this stage of recovery. |
| Fracture or plaster cast | ✔ Yes (if cast applied within 48 hours) | Fracture location, date cast applied, confirmation that swelling risk is manageable and travel is safe. Some airlines require cast to be bivalved for flights within 48 hours of application. |
| Respiratory condition (e.g. COPD, pneumonia) | ✔ Yes | Diagnosis, current stability, confirmation that reduced cabin oxygen (equivalent to approximately 6,000 to 8,000 feet per CAA guidance) will not cause clinical deterioration. |
| Recent heart attack or stroke | ✔ Yes | Event date, current cardiac or neurological status, that the patient is clinically stable for air travel. Most airlines require a minimum wait of 7 to 14 days post-event before considering clearance. |
| Infectious disease (e.g. chickenpox) | ✔ Yes (recovery certificate) | Confirmation that the patient is no longer infectious and that travel does not pose a public health risk to other passengers. Airlines may refuse boarding if the passenger is visibly unwell. |
| Travel with supplemental oxygen | ✔ Yes (plus airline MEDIF form) | Clinical need for supplemental oxygen, flow rate required, and confirmation of stable condition. Most airlines also require their own IATA MEDIF form completed by the treating physician. |
✔ Same day or by 9AM | ✔ Full refund if we cannot issue
Fit to Fly Certificate — UK Airline Requirements 2025
Each airline sets its own policy within the IATA framework. Requirements vary by condition, route length, and gestational age for pregnancy. The table below summarises current general guidance from the five major UK carriers — always confirm directly with your airline before travel, as policies are updated periodically.
| Airline | When a fit to fly certificate is required | Own form? | Certificate timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | Recent surgery or hospitalisation; significant cardiac or respiratory conditions; pregnancy 28 to 36 weeks. Passengers needing special in-flight assistance may require a MEDIF form. | MEDIF form for special assistance passengers | Typically within 7 days of departure |
| easyJet | Surgery within the preceding 6 weeks; significant cardiovascular or respiratory conditions; pregnancy from 27 weeks for single pregnancies. | Own pregnancy fit to fly form available | Within 7 days of departure |
| Ryanair | Recent surgery or hospital discharge; pregnancy 28+ weeks (single) / 26+ weeks (multiples); significant medical conditions at the airline's discretion. | Own pregnancy declaration form | Within 7 days of departure |
| Jet2 | Recent illness or surgery that could deteriorate in-flight; pregnancy from 28 weeks; conditions requiring in-flight medical assistance. | Contact Jet2 Special Assistance team directly | Check directly with Jet2 |
| TUI | Post-surgery, hospitalisation within 6 weeks, infectious conditions during recovery, pregnancy from 28 weeks. | Recommends GP letter or IATA MEDIF | Generally within 10 days of departure |
Fit to Fly Certificate After Surgery — Waiting Times by Procedure
A fit to fly certificate after surgery is one of the most common reasons patients apply through MedicalCert. Airlines routinely require medical clearance if you have had any surgical procedure within the preceding four to six weeks, and some carriers extend that window for major operations such as joint replacements or cardiac surgery.
The minimum recommended waiting period before flying varies by procedure type. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) provides general guidance, and individual airlines may impose stricter requirements. The table below outlines typical timelines, though the reviewing GP will assess your specific recovery before issuing a certificate.
What to upload when applying after surgery
The stronger your supporting evidence, the faster the reviewing GP can reach a clinical decision. For post-surgical applications, include as many of the following as you have available:
If your surgeon has already confirmed you are safe to fly, upload that letter. It significantly strengthens the application and speeds up the review. If no surgeon clearance is available, the reviewing GP will assess based on the clinical evidence you provide.
What Your Fit to Fly Certificate Includes
Every fit to fly letter issued by MedicalCert is signed by a GMC-registered GP and includes:
The certificate covers the full round trip — both outbound and return legs. Specify your return date in the consultation form. If your airline requires specific wording or their own form, upload it with your application and it will be completed alongside the standard certificate for a £25 fee.
Fit to Fly NHS vs Private — Why Most GPs Decline
Many people search "fit to fly NHS" expecting their GP to issue this letter routinely. In practice, the majority of NHS GP surgeries in the UK do not provide fitness to fly letters — and many carry explicit written policies declining to do so.
The British Medical Association advises caution: GPs are not trained in aviation medicine, are not indemnified for fitness to fly assessments, and cannot confirm future fitness for travel. When NHS practices do issue a letter, it is typically a private administrative service charged at £25 to £60, with a waiting time of one to two weeks — often too slow for travel deadlines.
NHS GP
- ✗ No obligation to provide — BMA advises caution; most practices decline
- ✗ 1 to 2 week wait in most areas
- ✗ Private admin fee typically £25 to £60 even at an NHS practice
- ✗ No same-day service
- ✗ Cannot complete airline-specific MEDIF forms
- ✓ May be required by insurers who specify "usual GP" in policy wording
MedicalCert (Private)
- ✔ Same-day service, guaranteed by 9AM next morning
- ✔ GMC-registered GP reviews every case individually — no automated approvals
- ✔ No appointment, no waiting room, no GP referral needed
- ✔ Airline-specific forms (MEDIF, pregnancy forms) completed for £25
- ✔ Full refund if certificate cannot be issued clinically
- ✔ QR verification code accepted by UK and international airlines
If your travel insurance policy specifically requires certification from your "registered NHS GP," check your policy wording before applying. For most airlines and most insurers, a certificate from any GMC-registered doctor is sufficient.
Fit to Fly Certificate vs Unable to Fly Letter — Which Do You Need?
These are two different documents serving opposite purposes. If you are unsure which applies to your situation:
Fit to fly certificate
- ✔ You plan to travel and need medical clearance to board your flight
- ✔ Your airline has requested proof of fitness before allowing you to fly
- ✔ You are pregnant and approaching your airline's gestational cut-off date
- ✔ You are recovering from surgery or illness and need documentation for check-in
Unable to fly letter
- ✔ You cannot travel and need written confirmation to cancel or rebook
- ✔ Your insurer requires proof that flying was medically unsafe for a claim
- ✔ Your airline requires medical evidence of unfitness to waive a change fee
- → Unable to Fly Letter — apply here
How to Get a Fit to Fly Certificate
✔ Same day or by 9AM next morning | ✔ Full refund if we cannot issue
Fit to Fly Certificate — Frequently Asked Questions
Get your fit-to-fly certficate from £49