Get a same-day chickenpox fit to fly certificate from a UK-registered doctor — confirming you or your child are no longer infectious and safe to travel.
If you or your child have recently recovered from chickenpox and need to travel, most airlines will ask for medical confirmation that you’re no longer infectious. A Chickenpox Fit to Fly Certificate provides exactly that — proof from a UK doctor that all spots have scabbed over and it’s safe for you to fly.
At Merlin Health, we make getting your certificate fast and simple. There’s no need for GP appointments or waiting weeks for paperwork — just complete our online form, and one of our UK GMC-registered doctors will issue your certificate the same day, often within the hour.
Your document arrives directly in your inbox, signed and verified with a unique QR code for airline confirmation.
Getting your Chickenpox Fit to Fly Certificate with Merlin Health is quick and easy — no waiting rooms, no GP delays. Here’s what happens:
Fill out a short online form with details about your recovery and travel plans. You can also include a recent photo of the affected areas if spots are still visible.
One of our UK GMC-registered doctors reviews your submission, confirming that chickenpox is no longer contagious and that you’re fit to travel.
You’ll receive a signed, airline-ready Fit to Fly Certificate by email, usually within just a few hours of applying. Your certificate includes a verifiable QR code for extra reassurance.
To get a chickenpox fit to fly certificate, you’ll need to fill in our secure online health form. This helps our doctors gather all the information they need to assess your case, we’ll ask for:
Everything is completed online — with no need to book an appointment.
“Chickenpox can throw travel plans into chaos, especially when it affects children. We know that it can be stressful trying to get medical clearance to fly. At Merlin Health, we’ve made the process simple — our UK doctors review each request quickly and issue same-day Fit to Fly certificates that airlines can trust — so you can get back to your journey smoothly.”
Dr Michael Jones, Co-Founder & Lead Doctor at Merlin Health
“Chickenpox can throw travel plans into chaos, especially when it affects children. We know that it can be stressful trying to get medical clearance to fly. At Merlin Health, we’ve made the process simple — our UK doctors review each request quickly and issue same-day Fit to Fly certificates that airlines can trust — so you can get back to your journey smoothly.”
Dr Michael Jones, Co-Founder & Lead Doctor at Merlin Health
Each Chickenpox Fit to Fly Certificate from Merlin Health includes:
Our medical certificates are recognised by major carriers across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
When chickenpox disrupts travel plans, the last thing you need is more stress. At Merlin Health, our UK doctors provide fast, trusted Fit to Fly certificates confirming recovery from chickenpox — helping families and travellers get back to their journeys with confidence.
With thousands of certificates issued each year, Merlin Health is the UK’s most trusted providers of medical travel documentation.
Whether you’re cleared to fly depends on the stage of recovery. Chickenpox is infectious from around two days before the rash appears until all blisters have dried and scabbed over, which normally takes about seven days.
Most airlines require passengers to wait at least a week after the last new spots appear, and they may ask for a doctor’s note before allowing boarding.
Without a certificate, you may be refused boarding — even if you feel well — so it’s best to get your letter in advance to avoid disruption or last-minute stress.
If our reviewing doctor determines that the spots haven’t fully healed, they’ll issue a “Not Fit to Fly” certificate instead. This document confirms that air travel is not currently recommended due to infection risk — and can be used to support travel insurance claims or flight change requests.
This ensures passenger safety while helping you rearrange your travel plans.
Each airline sets its own medical clearance policy, but most follow a similar timeframe. Below is a general guide to common airline requirements for passengers recovering from chickenpox:
You can ask your NHS GP for a fit-to-fly medical letter, but many practices do not issue these certificates due to administrative limits or insurance restrictions. Even when available, waiting times for an appointment can stretch to several weeks — often too late for urgent travel.
Merlin Health provides a faster alternative:
It’s the reliable choice when you need certified medical clearance — fast.
Yes. Airline staff can deny boarding if they believe a passenger might still be contagious. Even if you or your child are no longer infectious, visible red marks or scabs can raise concerns at the gate.
Having a Fit to Fly certificate from a registered doctor proves that:
Yes. Our UK doctors provide certificates for travellers anywhere in the world. Because the entire assessment is completed online, we can review your information and issue a Chickenpox Fit to Fly Certificate no matter where you are.
A chickenpox fit-to-fly certificate is a doctor-signed medical letter confirming you (or your child) are no longer infectious and safe to travel. It states that all blisters have fully crusted/scabbed, includes the doctor’s license number, and is typically required by airlines and travel insurers.
Airlines use the certificate to verify you’re not contagious and to protect other passengers. Chickenpox spreads easily in enclosed spaces; a doctor’s note provides formal medical clearance for travel.
Most passengers can fly 5–7 days after the rash appears, once all blisters have scabbed and no new spots are forming. Always check your airline’s policy and carry a doctor’s letter.
No — airlines usually refuse travel while active (uncrusted) lesions are present. You should wait until scabbing is complete and obtain a fit-to-fly confirmation.
Yes. Merlin Health issues child and adult chickenpox fit-to-fly certificates. A parent/guardian can complete the online form and upload clear photos of the rash/scabs.
You’ll complete a short online medical questionnaire (symptoms, date first spots appeared, recovery timeline) and upload photos showing scabbed lesions. Flight details and an email address are also required.
Your certificate states you’re not infectious, confirms all spots are crusted, shows the GMC number and name of the UK doctor, the date of assessment, and a QR code for instant verification by airlines and insurers.
We provide same-day certificates (typically within a few hours) for requests submitted before 9PM (UK Time); your signed PDF is emailed directly to your inbox.
Apply online → upload images → a UK GMC-registered doctor reviews your case → if appropriate, we issue your certificate the same day and email it as a verifiable PDF.
If you’re not yet recovered, our doctor may issue a “not fit to fly” note instead. This can support flight changes or travel insurance claims until you’re ready to fly.
Yes. Although our doctors are UK-registered, our service is available worldwide. If you can submit the form and photos online, we can assess you and issue a digital certificate.
No — everything is handled online. If the doctor needs more detail, they’ll contact you by email or phone for clarification.
Airline policies vary, but our certificates are doctor-signed, GMC-numbered and QR-verifiable, which aligns with what most airlines and insurers request. Always check your carrier’s specific rules.
You may still be denied boarding if staff see visible spots and cannot confirm recovery. A fit-to-fly letter prevents uncertainty at check-in and speeds up travel clearance.
If new spots appear, you’re likely still infectious. Postpone travel; we can provide an unfit-to-fly letter to help with rebooking or claims.
Upload any airline or insurer forms with your application (we can complete them for a small admin fee), or email us with specifics — our team will ensure the wording matches the policy requirements.
Got a question or special requirement? Email us at info@merlinhealth.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
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