Can I fly? What you need to know

Information for patients attending the Emergency Department

Note: The Emergency Department cannot tell you if you are fit to fly. Only your airline, insurance company, or GP can decide.

Why this leaflet is important

If you have been feeling ill or hurt and plan to fly, you may wonder: “Can I still travel?”.

This leaflet explains what help the Emergency Department can give, and who you should contact for advice about flying.

What can the Emergency Department help with?

We can:

  • Check what is wrong right now
  • Treat urgent medical problems
  • Tell you if you are safe to go home
  • Explain the reason why you are feeling ill

We cannot:

  • Say that you are fit to fly
  • Write fit-to-fly letters or certificates
  • Fill in airline or insurance forms

This is because flying rules are different for each airline and insurance company.

Can I fly?

Many people with mild symptoms do fly safely. But the Emergency Department does not decide who can fly. To get the right answer, you need to speak to the people below.

Your airline

  • Every airline has its own rules
  • Some ask for a letter from your doctor
  • They will tell you what you need before you fly

Your travel insurance company

  • This is important if you have been unwell or came to hospital
  • They can tell you if your insurance still covers you
  • Flying without their advice may stop your insurance working

Your GP or a travel clinic

  • They can look at your health over time
  • They may be able to write a letter if needed
  • This needs an appointment and cannot be done in the Emergency Department

What if someone here said “you’re OK to go home”?

You may hear things like:

  • “You are stable”
  • “You do not need to stay in hospital”

This means:

  • You are safe to leave hospital today

It does not mean:

  • You are fit to fly
  • You have permission from an airline or insurer

Airlines and insurance companies usually need written proof, not spoken advice.

When we may say you should not fly

Sometimes flying is not safe.

This is because the air pressure in a plane can make some illnesses much worse.

We may tell you not to fly if you have:

  • One lung not working properly (a collapsed lung, also called a pneumothorax)
  • Trouble breathing or not enough oxygen in your blood
  • An injury to your chest or chest surgery
  • Heart problems that are not under control, like pain in your chest
  • Symptoms, such as bad pain, being sick many times, or not thinking clearly

If this happens:

  • We will explain why
  • This advice is to keep you safe right now
  • You will usually need to recover before flying

Please speak to your airline, insurance company, and GP before making travel plans.

What should I do next?

  • Contact your airline
  • Contact your travel insurance company
  • Speak to your GP or a travel clinic
  • Allow time — letters are not written urgently

Useful airline medical information

Key message

The Emergency Department cannot tell you if you are fit to fly.

For advice about flying, please speak to your airline, insurance company, or GP.

This leaflet gives general information only. It does not replace advice from your airline, insurance company, or GP