What is a fit to fly letter and who can issue one?

A fit to fly letter is a signed medical document confirming there is no medical reason to advise against air travel at the current gestational age. It must include gestational age, expected due date, singleton or multiple confirmation, and a statement that no complications are present. Most airlines accept a letter from a GMC-registered doctor or an NMC-registered midwife.

How recent does a fit to fly letter need to be?

It depends on the airline. Wizz Air is the strictest, requiring the certificate to be issued within 6 days of the flight date. Jet2 requires dating within 7 days of the outbound flight and 16 days of the return. Ryanair's template states within 2 weeks of the departure date. TUI requires a letter dated no earlier than 14 days before departure. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic ask for a letter dated as close to travel as possible without specifying a window. Timing the letter to the Wizz Air 6-day rule satisfies all of them.

Can a midwife issue a fit to fly letter?

It depends on the airline. British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and Emirates name a doctor or a midwife. Wizz Air and Virgin Atlantic refer to a certificate from your doctor, KLM to your physician, and Lufthansa asks for a gynaecologist's certificate. However, NHS midwives and GPs are often reluctant to issue fit to fly letters as it falls outside their core duties. Private online services like MedicalCert issue letters through GMC-registered doctors.

Do I need a fit to fly letter at 27 weeks pregnant?

No, not for most airlines. At 27 weeks you are below the 28-week threshold where most carriers start requiring documentation, and below the 29-week threshold used by Emirates and TUI. However, if your return flight falls at 28 weeks or beyond, you will need a letter for the return leg. Always check your specific airline's policy.

How quickly can I get a fit to fly letter?

Same day. MedicalCert issues pregnancy fit to fly certificates the same day via an online consultation with a GMC-registered UK doctor. Because Wizz Air requires the certificate within 6 days of the flight and Jet2 requires it within 7 days of the outbound flight, order in the week before travel rather than weeks ahead.

Fit to Fly: UK Airline Pregnancy Policies 2026

All 12 airline pregnancy policies re-verified against each airline's own published guidance in August 2026

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Airline policies change frequently and without notice. Every policy on this page was last verified against the airline's own published guidance in August 2026. Always confirm your airline's current requirements directly before booking or travelling.

Most UK airlines require a fit to fly letter from 28 or 29 weeks of pregnancy, although requirements vary widely by carrier. Most accept a letter issued by a GMC-registered doctor or a registered midwife, while several name a doctor specifically, and airlines generally ask the letter to confirm gestational age, expected due date, whether you are carrying a single baby or multiples, and that no complications are present. Singleton pregnancies can typically fly until the end of week 36. Multiple pregnancies face an earlier cut-off, usually week 32. Airlines can refuse carriage if the letter is missing or out of date. Ryanair states it reserves the right to refuse travel to an expectant mother past 28 weeks who cannot present a completed letter at bag drop or the boarding gate, and Emirates requires a medical certificate from 29 weeks.

This page compares the pregnancy flying policies of 12 major UK airlines side by side, with clinical context on the medical reasoning behind these thresholds. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) advises that air travel is generally safe for uncomplicated pregnancies up to 37 weeks for singletons and 32 weeks for multiples, which closely mirrors the cut-offs most airlines apply. You can get a fit to fly certificate online from MedicalCert, same day, issued by a GMC-registered UK doctor.

12 airlines Policies verified August 2026

28 weeks The most common week at which a letter becomes required

32 weeks Typical cut-off for twins/multiple pregnancies

Need a pregnancy fit to fly certificate? MedicalCert issues same-day certificates through GMC-registered UK doctors, accepted by most major airlines. No GP appointment required.

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Comparison table showing pregnancy flying policies for 12 major UK airlines including letter requirements, singleton and multiple cut-off weeks, and freshness requirements

12-airline pregnancy policy comparison

Policies verified against each airline's own official guidance in August 2026. Always confirm directly with your airline before travel as policies can change at short notice.

Airline	Letter Required From	Singleton Cut-off	Multiple Cut-off	Doctor or Midwife?	Letter Must Be Dated Within	Notes
British Airways	28 weeks	Before end of week 36	Before end of week 32	Either	As close to travel as possible	No paperwork needed before 28 weeks. BA has its own pregnancy form, and the form or letter must be completed and stamped by a doctor or midwife.
easyJet	Not required*	Before end of week 35	Before end of week 32	Either	N/A	*No letter required unless complications. Recommended to carry one from 28 weeks for peace of mind.
Ryanair	28 weeks	Before end of week 36	Before end of week 32	Either	Within 2 weeks (14 days) of the departure date	Mandatory from 28 weeks. Letter must confirm no complications and include due date. Ryanair's own fit to fly template states the letter should be dated within 2 weeks of the departure date.
Jet2	28 weeks	Before end of week 35	Before end of week 33	Either	7 days of the departure date and 16 days of the return date	Certificate required from 28 weeks. Jet2 states certificates dated outside these windows cannot be accepted and clearance to travel will not be granted.
TUI	29 weeks	Before end of week 36	Before end of week 32	Either	14 days of departure	Certificate required from the beginning of week 29, not week 28. Must also notify TUI customer services, including for the return leg. Certificate must be issued within 14 days of the departure date.
Virgin Atlantic	28 weeks	Before end of week 36	Before end of week 32	Doctor	As close to travel as possible	Letter must include due date and confirm no complications.
Emirates	29 weeks	Before end of week 36	Before end of week 32	Either	Not specified, recent	Mandatory from week 29. Must include singleton or multiple confirmation, due date and confirmation of no complications. A MEDIF is required if the pregnancy is complicated at any stage.
Wizz Air	28 weeks	Before end of week 34	Not permitted after 32 weeks	Doctor	6 days of the flight date	Earliest cut-off and tightest dating rule on this list. Wizz Air's general conditions of carriage require the fit to fly form to be issued within 6 days of the flight date. No flying after 34 weeks for a single pregnancy. If no certificate is presented between 28 and 34 weeks, a disclaimer form must be completed at the gate.
Norwegian	4 weeks before due date	Until 2 weeks before due date	Until 2 weeks before due date	Not specified	Must cover the whole trip	Norwegian works from the due date, not the week of pregnancy. No certificate up to 4 weeks before the due date. Between 4 and 2 weeks before the due date a certificate is required and the flight cannot be longer than 4 hours. No travel less than 2 weeks before the due date.
Iberia	36 weeks (32 for multiples)	No fixed cut-off, certificate from week 36	No fixed cut-off, certificate from week 32	Doctor	Not specified	Iberia requires no specific authorisation before 28 weeks and points to IATA advice to speak to your doctor after 28 weeks. From 36 weeks, or 32 weeks for an uncomplicated multiple pregnancy, you must present a certificate from your doctor at the boarding gate. Vueling-operated flights will not carry passengers more than 36 weeks pregnant.
KLM	Not required, advisory only	KLM advises against flying from 36 weeks	Consult a physician	Physician	Not specified	KLM does not require a letter and does not ask to see one in advance. It recommends medical clearance from your physician, advises against flying from 36 weeks, and recommends consulting a physician if you are carrying multiples or have had complications before.
Lufthansa	28 weeks (recommended)	End of week 36, or 4 weeks before the due date	Before end of week 32	Gynaecologist	Not specified	No certificate needed until the end of week 36, or four weeks before the expected due date, whichever comes first. A gynaecologist's certificate is recommended beyond 28 weeks, confirming no complications and giving the due date.

Sources: Official airline guidance pages verified August 2026. Policies subject to change. Always verify directly with your airline before travel. * easyJet does not mandate a letter but advises consulting your medical practitioner if you have experienced complications.

Key finding: 8 of the 12 airlines require or recommend a fit to fly letter from 28 or 29 weeks. easyJet and KLM do not require one at all, Iberia asks for a doctor's certificate only from 36 weeks, and Norwegian works from your due date rather than the week of pregnancy. Wizz Air has the earliest singleton cut-off at 34 weeks, two weeks earlier than most other carriers, and the tightest dating rule at just 6 days. Jet2 is the next strictest at 7 days outbound and 16 days return.

What must a fit to fly letter include?

Airlines are specific about what the letter must contain. A letter missing any of these elements can result in denied boarding. The requirements below reflect what the airlines on this page commonly ask a medical professional to document before a pregnant passenger travels.

Required Element	Why Airlines Need It	Included in MedicalCert Letters
Gestational age (weeks pregnant)	To confirm you are within their permitted flying window	Yes
Singleton or multiple pregnancy	Cut-off weeks differ significantly, essential for compliance	Yes
Expected due date (EDD)	Allows airline staff to calculate gestational age at time of travel	Yes
Confirmation of no complications	Required for standard clearance. Complications trigger different procedures	Yes
Doctor's name and GMC/professional registration number	Verifies the letter is issued by a qualified, registered clinician	Yes, GMC number included
Date of issue	Most airlines require a recent letter. Wizz Air requires dating within 6 days of the flight. Jet2 requires dating within 7 days of the outbound flight and 16 days of the return. Ryanair and TUI require dating within 14 days of departure	Yes
Statement of fitness to fly	The explicit clinical assessment confirming no medical reason to advise against air travel	Yes

Every element listed above is included as standard. MedicalCert pregnancy fit to fly certificates are reviewed and signed by a GMC-registered doctor, delivered same day as a signed PDF you can print or show digitally at check-in.

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Clinical thresholds explained: why airlines set the rules they do

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The thresholds airlines apply are not arbitrary. They reflect a genuine assessment of risk related to cabin environment, access to emergency care, and the probability of labour onset. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) publishes guidance on air travel during pregnancy, and many airline policies sit close to the RCOG thresholds, though several carriers set their own.

Why 28 weeks? The third trimester begins at 28 weeks, and this is the point at which the risk profile of the pregnancy changes meaningfully. Reduced cabin pressure (equivalent to approximately 6,000 to 8,000 feet altitude) and lower oxygen saturation become more relevant as the fetus grows and placental demands increase. The NHS advises that flying is not harmful during a straightforward pregnancy, but notes that the risk of going into labour is naturally higher after 37 weeks for a single pregnancy and 32 weeks for twins. From a clinical standpoint, 28 weeks is a reasonable threshold for requiring documented medical clearance.

Singleton cut-off: the end of week 36. Most airlines stop at the end of the 36th week, meaning the journey must be completed before the 37th week begins. RCOG puts the safest window for a single baby before 37 weeks, and NHS maternity advice treats labour as "term" from 37 weeks onward, so the usual airline cut-off sits just inside both. Flying beyond this point risks labour occurring during a flight with no appropriate emergency obstetric care available.

Multiple pregnancies: the end of week 32. Twin and higher-order pregnancies carry a significantly elevated risk of premature labour. NICE guideline NG137 advises telling women with a twin pregnancy that about 60 in 100 twin pregnancies result in spontaneous birth before 37 weeks. Airlines therefore apply a 32-week cut-off for most multiple pregnancies, which aligns with the clinical risk stratification used in obstetric practice across NHS trusts.

What the fit to fly letter actually certifies: When a GMC-registered doctor issues a fit to fly letter, they are confirming that based on the clinical history available, specifically gestational age, absence of complications, and the patient's current health status, there is no clinical reason to advise against air travel for the specified journey. It does not guarantee that no obstetric event will occur. It is a considered professional opinion at a point in time, consistent with the standards set out by the General Medical Council (GMC) for issuing medical documentation.

Airline-by-airline: what to know before you fly

British Airways

BA states that travelling earlier than 28 weeks does not require any paperwork. From week 28 you must carry BA's own pregnancy form, or an official letter, completed and stamped by your doctor or midwife, and present it to check-in staff on the day of travel. BA asks for the document to be dated as close to your travel date as possible and says it then covers your entire journey, outbound and return. Cut-offs are the end of week 36 for one baby and the end of week 32 for more than one.

easyJet

The notable exception in this list. easyJet does not mandate a fit to fly letter for uncomplicated pregnancies. easyJet says that if you have experienced any complications during your pregnancy you should consult your medical practitioner before flying. Cut-offs are the end of week 35 for a single pregnancy and the end of week 32 for more than one baby. Despite no formal requirement, carrying a letter is advisable from 28 weeks in case of any query at the gate.

Ryanair

From 28 weeks the letter is mandatory, must be completed by a doctor or midwife, and must be dated within 2 weeks (14 days) of the departure date, per Ryanair's own fit to fly letter template. Their help centre does not specify a tighter window. Ryanair reserves the right to refuse carriage where a completed letter is not presented at bag drop or the boarding gate. Cut-offs match industry standard: 36 weeks (singleton), 32 weeks (multiples).

Jet2

Jet2 applies the second-strictest dating rule after Wizz Air: the certificate must be dated within 7 days of the departure date and 16 days of the return date, and Jet2 states it explicitly: certificates falling outside those windows will not be accepted, with clearance to travel refused. Letter required from 28 weeks and presented at check-in. Cut-offs: 35 weeks (singleton), 33 weeks (multiples), slightly earlier than BA and Ryanair for singletons.

TUI

TUI requires a medical certificate from the beginning of week 29, not week 28, and also asks you to tell its customer service team, an extra administrative step most other airlines do not require. The certificate must be issued and signed by a doctor or attending midwife within 14 days of your departure date. Cut-offs: the end of week 36 for a single pregnancy and the end of week 32 for multiples. If you had complications in the first 28 weeks, TUI asks for a certificate earlier.

Virgin Atlantic

You can fly to the end of week 27 with no need to tell Virgin in advance. Between 28 and 36 weeks Virgin asks for a certificate from your doctor confirming no complications and stating your estimated delivery date. Virgin does not need to see it in advance, but it can be requested at the airport or on board, and travel may be delayed or denied without it. Cut-offs match BA: the end of week 36 for a single pregnancy and the end of week 32 for multiples.

Emirates

Slightly stricter than most UK airlines. The letter requirement starts at 29 weeks rather than 28. From week 29 a medical certificate signed by your doctor or midwife is mandatory, and Emirates says you may not be accepted on the flight if you travel without one. Emirates does not permit travel from the 37th week for a single pregnancy, or from the 33rd week for a multiple pregnancy. If the pregnancy is complicated at any stage, Emirates asks you to apply for medical clearance using a MEDIF, completed within one month of the planned travel date and submitted at least 48 hours before the flight.

Wizz Air

The most restrictive carrier on this list on both counts: 34 weeks for single pregnancies, two weeks earlier than most carriers, and a form issued within 6 days of the flight date, the shortest window of any airline listed here, set out in Wizz Air's general conditions of carriage. Wizz Air asks for the certificate from your doctor. Multiples cut-off is 32 weeks. Letter required from 28 weeks. If you do not have a fit to fly certificate between 28 and 34 weeks, Wizz Air requires you to complete a disclaimer form at the gate. If you are flying Wizz Air on a return journey, factor in that your return flight must be completed before 34 weeks, and the 6-day certificate window means you may need a fresh certificate for the return leg. Book and time your certificate with that in mind.

Norwegian

Norwegian is the odd one out. It works from your due date rather than the week of pregnancy. You can fly without a medical certificate up to 4 weeks before your due date. Between 4 and 2 weeks before your due date you need a certificate confirming you are fit to fly, and the flight cannot be longer than 4 hours. Less than 2 weeks before your due date you cannot fly at all. On a return trip the certificate must cover the whole period, it must be kept in your hand luggage, and on international flights Norwegian requires it to be in English.

Iberia

Iberia requires no specific authorisation before 28 weeks, and points to the IATA Medical Manual recommendation to speak to your doctor after 28 weeks. From 36 weeks, or 32 weeks for an uncomplicated multiple pregnancy, IATA advises against flying, and Iberia says that if you still need to travel you must present a certificate from your doctor at the boarding gate. Iberia also states that women more than 36 weeks pregnant will not be able to fly on flights operated by Vueling.

KLM

The most relaxed policy on this list, and the wording is advisory rather than mandatory. KLM advises you not to fly from 36 weeks, or during the first week after delivery. It recommends getting medical clearance from your physician before you board, but says you do not have to submit it in advance. If you are carrying more than one baby, or have had complications in a pregnancy before, KLM recommends consulting your physician before departure.

Lufthansa

A tiered approach. Lufthansa allows uncomplicated pregnancies to fly without a certificate until the end of week 36, or until four weeks before the expected due date, whichever comes first. Beyond week 28 it recommends carrying an up-to-date certificate from a gynaecologist confirming that the pregnancy is uncomplicated, giving the due date, and stating expressly that the pregnancy does not prevent flying. For uncomplicated twins or multiples, flying is possible up to the end of week 32.

Do you need a fit to fly letter? Quick guide

You definitely need a letter if…

You are 28 weeks or more (most airlines)
You are 29 weeks or more on Emirates or TUI
You have had any complications at any stage (most airlines)
You are carrying twins or multiples from 28 weeks
Your airline requires notification (TUI)
You want to fly close to the cut-off week on any carrier

You are strongly advised to carry one if…

You are flying easyJet at 28+ weeks (not mandatory but recommended)
You are flying KLM with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy
You are flying Lufthansa between 28 and 36 weeks
Your return flight takes you past the letter threshold week
You are flying long-haul at any stage in the third trimester

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Do not forget the return leg. The letter requirement applies to both outbound and return flights. If your return flight falls at or beyond 28 weeks, you need the letter to cover that date, not just your departure. Jet2 sets a separate 16-day window for the inbound date, and TUI asks to be notified about the return leg as well. Wizz Air's 6-day certificate window means you may need separate certificates for outbound and return, and Norwegian requires the certificate to cover the whole period of a return trip. Time your letter so it is valid for both directions.

Frequently asked questions

A fit to fly letter is a signed medical document confirming that, based on a clinical assessment, there is no medical reason to advise against air travel at your current gestational age. It must include your gestational age, expected due date, whether the pregnancy is singleton or multiple, and a statement that no complications are present. Airlines decide who may sign. Most accept a letter from a GMC-registered doctor or an NMC-registered midwife. Check your carrier's wording. MedicalCert letters are issued by GMC-registered UK doctors and include all required elements as standard.

It depends on the airline. Wizz Air is the tightest: the certificate must be issued within 6 days of the flight date. Jet2 is the next strictest, requiring the letter to be dated within 7 days of the outbound flight and 16 days of the return. Jet2 states that certificates dated outside those windows cannot be accepted. Ryanair's own template states within 2 weeks of the departure date, and TUI requires a letter dated no earlier than 14 days before departure. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic ask for a letter dated as close to travel as possible but do not specify an exact window. Emirates does not publish a window but expects a recent letter, and Norwegian asks only that the certificate covers the whole period of your trip. If you are flying more than one carrier, or you are unsure, time the letter to the Wizz Air 6-day rule and you will meet every dating window on this page. On a Norwegian return trip, check that the certificate also covers your return date.

Sometimes, and it depends on the carrier. British Airways, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI and Emirates all name a doctor or a midwife. Wizz Air and Virgin Atlantic refer to a certificate from your doctor, KLM to your physician, and Lufthansa asks for a gynaecologist's certificate, so check your carrier's own wording before booking a midwife appointment. However, NHS midwives and GPs are often reluctant to issue fit to fly letters as it falls outside their core clinical duties and they may not be covered by their indemnity insurance for this specific purpose. The NHS does not routinely provide fit to fly letters as a standard service. Private online services like MedicalCert issue letters through GMC-registered doctors, which are accepted by most major UK airlines.

You are likely to be refused boarding. Airlines reserve the right to refuse travel to any passenger who does not have the required medical documentation, and you would not normally be entitled to a refund or rebooking under the airline's conditions of carriage. Ryanair states it may refuse carriage at bag drop or the boarding gate, and Jet2 states that clearance to travel will not be granted where the certificate falls outside its dating window.

No, not for most airlines. At 27 weeks you are below the 28-week threshold where the majority of carriers start requiring documentation for uncomplicated singleton pregnancies. However, if your return flight falls at 28 weeks or beyond, you will need a letter for the return leg. Emirates and TUI trigger their requirement at 29 weeks, so at 27 weeks you would be inside their limits without documentation. Always check the specific policy of your airline before travelling.

No. A fit to fly letter satisfies the airline's documentation requirement for boarding, but it does not replace travel insurance. You should have travel insurance that explicitly covers pregnancy-related medical treatment, emergency repatriation, and premature birth in your destination country. Many standard travel insurance policies exclude pregnancy beyond a certain gestational week unless declared. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) recommends checking your policy wording before travel and declaring your pregnancy to your insurer.

Same day. MedicalCert can issue a pregnancy fit to fly certificate the same day via an online consultation with a GMC-registered UK doctor. The certificate is emailed as a signed PDF and can be printed or shown digitally at the airport. Because Wizz Air requires the certificate within 6 days of the flight and Jet2 requires it within 7 days of the outbound flight, timing matters. Order in the week before you travel rather than weeks ahead. Most airlines accept digital copies, though some prefer a printed version, so it is worth bringing both.

Ready to get your pregnancy fit to fly certificate? Complete a short online consultation and receive your signed certificate same day, dated to fall inside the tightest airline windows including the Wizz Air 6-day and Jet2 7-day outbound rules.

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Sources: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Air Travel and Pregnancy patient information (rcog.org.uk). NHS, Travelling in pregnancy (nhs.uk). National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Twin and triplet pregnancy NG137 (nice.org.uk). British Airways medical conditions guidance (ba.com). easyJet pregnancy terms (easyjet.com). Ryanair general conditions of carriage and fit to fly letter template (ryanair.com). Jet2 terms and conditions and pregnancy fit to fly form (jet2.com). TUI pregnancy guidance (tui.co.uk). Virgin Atlantic pregnancy page (virginatlantic.com). Emirates pregnancy medical certificate guidance (emirates.com). Wizz Air medical awareness page and general conditions of carriage (wizzair.com). Norwegian pregnancy guidance (norwegian.com). Iberia pregnancy policy (iberia.com). KLM pregnancy guidance (klm.com). Lufthansa healthy journey guidance (lufthansa.com). Association of British Insurers (ABI) travel insurance guidance. General Medical Council (GMC), standards for issuing medical documentation (gmc-uk.org). All 12 airline policies verified against the airlines' own published guidance in August 2026.

Reviewed by Dr Maria Knobel

Medical Director, MedicalCert · GMC 7495073 · Last updated: 22 August 2026