Do all airlines accept online certificates?

Most carriers accept digital certificates from AHPRA-registered doctors for general clearance (e.g., pregnancy letters or post-infection). Nevertheless, for medical conditions requiring oxygen or special assistance, you may need to complete the airline's specific paper forms.

How far in advance of travel should I request one?

Usually, airlines require that the certificate be no older than 10 days from the date of flight. If you obtain it too far in advance (e.g., a month before), it might be disallowed as your situation could have changed.

Can minors use these certificates?

Of course, they can. If a child has had chickenpox or any other illness, the parent can request a Fit-to-Fly certificate to show the airline that the child is no longer contagious.

Does a Fit-to-Fly certificate guarantee I can board?

No. The ultimate authority is always the airline captain or the ground staff. The certificate is a doctor's advice, but the airline may decide not to carry you if they think you are too unwell to fly safely.

Fit-to-Fly Certificates Airline Documentation Rules

Introduction

Flying affects the human body in several ways, including reduced oxygen, changes in air pressure, and prolonged sitting. Such effects are quite tolerable for most people. That said, your boarding might be denied by the airline if you do not provide them with the medical evidence that it is actually safe for you to fly when you are recovering from an illness, surgery, or if you are in the advanced stages of pregnancy.

Simply put, a Fit-to-Fly certificate is a medical document issued by a licensed physician, just like a Fit-to-Work Clearance Certificate, that confirms you are in good health and not a risk to other passengers.

Here, we discuss what these certificates are, when the airlines require them, and how AHPRA-registered doctors determine your fitness for flight.

This paper is not the same as a regular sick leave note. If you want to take a look at some of our digital health services, please visit our Online Medical Certificates page.

Definition: Fit-to-Fly Certificate

A Fit-to-Fly certificate or medical clearance letter verifies that a patient's physical condition is suitable for air travel on a specific date and is signed by a medical doctor.

What Is the Reason for Its Use?

Airlines are responsible for passengers' health. To ensure this, they may ask you for this paper to make sure:

By "infection control," we mean that you are not a carrier of a contagious disease (e.g., chickenpox, influenza, measles).
Patient safety: the risk of worsening your illness is minimised even at 30,000 feet, where medical facilities are scarce.
Operational safety: your presence on a plane will not have to be interfered with by the emergency procedure or even a diversion because of your condition.

There are various types of documents required for different situations. You can find out about the various kinds of medical certificates or check your eligibility here.

Situations When Airlines May Request Fit-to-Fly Certificates

Unless you are seriously injured or ill, airlines will usually not require medical clearance. However, there are specific "trigger" situations where having paperwork is mandatory.

1. Pregnancy

The majority of airlines slow down the movement of women in late pregnancy due to the risk of delivery during the flight.

28 Weeks+: Airlines that sometimes require a doctor or midwife's note verifying the due date and confirming a healthy pregnancy.
36 Weeks+: Most single pregnancies (32 weeks for twins) are not allowed to travel.

2. After Surgery and Recovery

After surgery, tissue swelling, blood clots, and trapped gas are potential risks. Travel is generally prohibited up to ten days after a central chest or abdominal operation.

3. Contagious Diseases

Terminal employees might cancel your flight if you have a very sick appearance (e.g., somebody coughing heavily, visible skin rash), and you will have to present a medical certificate confirming that you are no longer in the infectious phase of diseases such as:

COVID-19
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Measles

Airlines are required to adhere to strict safety protocols. You can visit our quality compliance page to learn how we meet these standards.Also check the Medical Certificate Eligibility Criteria and for more general information, please consult our travel health guidelines.

Typical Information Found In a Fit-to-Fly Note

A simple medical note stating "John is unwell" would not suffice to clear him for air travel. Such a paper should be apparent and detailed.

Fundamentals

Physician's Identification: complete name, personal signature, and medical license number issued by AHPRA
Examination Date: the assessment must be recent (usually within 10 days before the flight)
Health Status Confirmation: A thorough statement, such as "I have examined [Patient Name] and confirmed that there are no reasons against [Date] air travel."
Clearance from Infection: If relevant, confirm that the patient is non-infectious.

Note: Telehealth doctors can issue general clearance letters. If an airline mandates the use of its specific multi-page Medical Clearance Form (MEDA) for its submission, then full access to your medical history is necessary, and only an in-person family doctor can carry out such a task.

Your personal medical information is delicate. We take care of it in a trustworthy way read more in our Privacy and Quality Compliance Framework section. If you are returning to work after the trip, a Fitness-to-Return Certificate may be more appropriate.

Steps to Get an Online Fit-to-Fly Certificate

When you are healthy, not in an emergency, and stable, telehealth consultation guide will be the easiest option for you.

The Procedure

Make a Reservation: Choose the "Fit to Fly" option as your consultation reason.
Provide Documents: You can upload your hospital discharge papers or test results for the doctor's review, if available.
Doctor-Patient Interaction: The doctor will interview you via video to evaluate your current symptoms and assess your recovery.
Issue the Certificate: It will be sent to your email if the doctor certifies your fitness.

Note: The decision is entirely at the doctor's discretion based on their clinical judgment. If they believe it is unsafe to board a plane, the certificate will not be issued.

Are you excited to talk about your travel arrangements?

Why don't you schedule a session with our specialists right away?

Verification by the Airline and the Border Authority

Using a forged or altered medical certificate is very wrong. It could even result in a ban from flying with one or more airlines.

Authenticity Checks

Airport employees at the check-in desk, as well as immigration officers, are well-trained to identify fraudulent documents.

Instant verification: Prime Medic certificates include a QR code or ID that allows airline staff to verify authenticity of medical certificate against the database in real time.
Doctor Verification: AHPRA Registration Check Guide allows staff to verify that the doctor who signed the form is a registered practitioner.

Make sure that your documents are genuine. Understand who is chosen to validate a digital medical certificate and get to know the legal compliance behind online health notes.