Pregnancy fit-to-fly certificate
Most airlines require a signed GP letter to fly after 28 weeks. Get yours without a clinic visit, most same day, all by 9AM next morning.
✔ Accepted by UK and international airlines.
✔ GMC and FCDO registered doctors.
✔ Most delivered by 9AM next morning. From £49.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
GET MY FIT TO FLY
Please check your airline's specific pregnancy policy before applying, as gestational cut-offs and documentation requirements vary by carrier.
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.
Pregnancy Fit to Fly Certificate
Yes, you can get a pregnancy fit to fly certificate online in the UK. A pregnancy fit to fly certificate is a medical letter signed by a GMC-registered doctor confirming your estimated due date, that your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and that air travel is clinically appropriate at the time of assessment. Most UK airlines require this documentation from 28 weeks of gestation onwards, in line with guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Without a valid certificate, airlines will refuse boarding from 28 weeks regardless of how well you feel. A MedicalCert pregnancy fit to fly certificate carries the same clinical weight as one from your NHS GP or midwife, is accepted by all major UK and international carriers, and can be issued the same day you submit your consultation.
Gestation Thresholds: When Do You Need a Certificate?
The bands below reflect standard UK airline policy and UK Civil Aviation Authority guidance. You must account for your gestation at both outbound and return departure dates. If your return gestation exceeds the airline's cut-off, travel cannot be permitted regardless of when the certificate was issued.
The 28-week threshold exists because the third trimester changes the clinical risk profile of pregnancy. Reduced cabin pressure (equivalent to approximately 6,000 to 8,000 feet altitude) and lower oxygen saturation become more significant as the fetus grows and placental demands increase. The RCOG states that air travel is generally safe for most pregnant women up to 36 weeks for singleton pregnancies and 32 weeks for multiples, provided there are no complications.
Can You Get a Pregnancy Fit to Fly Certificate from the NHS?
Many NHS GP practices and midwifery teams no longer issue fit to fly letters during pregnancy. The British Medical Association (BMA) and the General Medical Council (GMC) have both highlighted concerns about professional indemnity and the scope of a GP's competence to assess fitness for air travel. Several NHS Trust websites now explicitly state that pregnancy fit to fly certificates are not an NHS service and direct patients to private providers.
This does not affect the clinical validity of the certificate itself. A fit to fly letter signed by any GMC-registered doctor, whether NHS or private, carries the same standing with airlines. The key requirement is that the issuing doctor has sufficient clinical information (your maternity notes or antenatal summary) to make a competent assessment.
NHS GP or midwife
- ✕ Many practices have stopped offering this service
- ✕ Appointment wait may be 2 to 4 weeks
- ✕ Some GPs decline due to indemnity concerns
- ✕ May charge a private fee even within the NHS
- ✓ Free if your practice still offers it at no charge
MedicalCert (private, online)
- ✓ Available 7 days a week, no appointment needed
- ✓ Same-day certificate if submitted before 9pm
- ✓ GMC-registered UK doctor reviews your maternity notes
- ✓ Full refund if the doctor cannot issue
- ✓ QR code verification for airline staff
Airline Pregnancy Policies: UK and International Carriers
Policies shown are general guidelines current as of May 2026. Always confirm requirements directly with your airline before booking. Some carriers require their own specific form completed by a doctor rather than a general letter.
| Airline | Certificate from | Cut-off (singleton) | Cut-off (multiples) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 28 weeks | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | Accepts GP, midwife or private doctor letter |
| Ryanair | 28 weeks | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | Must be dated within 2 weeks of departure |
| easyJet | 28 weeks | End of week 35 | End of week 32 | Midwife letter accepted |
| Jet2 | 28 weeks | End of week 35 | End of week 33 | Own pregnancy form available on Jet2 website |
| TUI | 28 weeks | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | Own pregnancy form PDF on TUI website |
| Virgin Atlantic | 28 weeks | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | Letter dated as close to travel as possible |
| Wizz Air | 28 weeks | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | Own pregnancy form required |
| Emirates | 29 weeks | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | Medical certificate or MEDIF form from 29 wks |
| Norwegian | 28 weeks | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | No specific validity window stated |
If your airline has its own pregnancy form (Jet2, TUI, and Wizz Air all provide downloadable PDFs), upload it with your MedicalCert submission and the doctor will complete it alongside the standard certificate at no additional charge.
Short-Haul vs Long-Haul: Does Flight Duration Matter?
The gestation cut-offs above apply regardless of flight duration. However, there are practical clinical differences between a 2-hour flight to Spain and a 10-hour flight to the Caribbean.
The RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 44 (Thrombosis and Embolism during Pregnancy) provides detailed risk stratification for travel-related thromboprophylaxis.
Who May Not Be Eligible
A certificate is issued only where clinically appropriate. If any of the following apply, the doctor may be unable to issue remotely. In-person assessment by your midwife or obstetric team is strongly advised:
If the doctor cannot issue a certificate on clinical grounds, a full refund is provided. You will not be charged for a clinical decision made in your interest.
DVT Risk During Pregnancy Flights
Pregnancy significantly increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during air travel due to reduced venous return and prolonged immobility. According to the RCOG, the risk of venous thromboembolism is approximately five to ten times higher in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women of the same age. The risk is highest in the third trimester and on long-haul routes.
Standard DVT precautions for pregnant flyers
If you are cleared to fly: wear graduated compression stockings (class 1 or 2), stay mobile in the cabin on long-haul flights, stay well hydrated, and avoid alcohol. Your GP or midwife should advise whether additional thromboprophylaxis, such as low molecular weight heparin, is appropriate for your specific risk profile before travel. The NHS recommends discussing DVT prevention with your antenatal team at least two weeks before your flight.
Travel Insurance and Pregnancy
A fit to fly certificate confirms you are medically safe to travel. It does not replace travel insurance, and most standard travel insurance policies do not cover pregnancy-related complications unless you purchase a specialist policy or add pregnancy cover as an extension.
Before booking flights, confirm with your insurer that your policy covers:
- • Medical treatment abroad for pregnancy complications
- • Emergency repatriation if you are unable to fly home as planned
- • Premature birth or neonatal care abroad
- • Cancellation or curtailment due to a pregnancy complication
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) recommends declaring your pregnancy when purchasing or renewing travel insurance, even if you are in the first trimester. Failure to declare may invalidate your cover. If your trip involves travelling outside the UK, check whether your destination country has reciprocal healthcare agreements or whether you need a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for EU countries.
What Your Certificate Includes
Every MedicalCert pregnancy fit to fly certificate contains the elements airlines require at check-in and the boarding gate:
Certificate contents
- ✔ Your name, date of birth, and contact details
- ✔ Estimated due date (EDD)
- ✔ Gestation at outbound and return departure dates
- ✔ Singleton or multiple pregnancy confirmed
- ✔ Confirmation the pregnancy is uncomplicated and air travel is clinically appropriate
- ✔ GMC registration number of the signing doctor
- ✔ Unique QR code for airline verification
You must upload your most recent maternity notes or antenatal summary with your submission. If your airline has its own form, include it and the doctor will complete it alongside the standard certificate at no additional charge.
How to Get a Pregnancy Fit to Fly Certificate
Complete the online consultation form
Provide your gestation, estimated due date, travel dates, airline, and relevant medical history. Upload your most recent maternity notes or antenatal summary. The form takes approximately 5 minutes.
GMC-registered doctor reviews your case
Your submission is reviewed the same day by a UK-based, GMC-registered GP. The doctor assesses your maternity notes, gestation, and medical history against RCOG and CAA guidelines. If further information is needed, the doctor may contact you before issuing.
Certificate delivered to your inbox
If clinically appropriate, your signed PDF certificate arrives same day (submit before 9pm) or by 9am next morning. If the doctor cannot issue on clinical grounds, you receive a full refund.
Present at check-in or the boarding gate
Carry the certificate in your hand luggage, either printed or on your phone. Airline staff may request it at check-in, bag drop, or the gate, particularly on international routes.
Flying After Giving Birth
If you are planning a return flight shortly after your due date, or if your baby arrives before your planned return, airline policies for new mothers and newborns are separate from pregnancy fit to fly requirements.
For infant flight clearance, see our fit to fly certificate for children and infants.