Get a same-day, doctor-signed fit to fly certificate confirming you’re medically safe to travel during pregnancy. Issued online by a UK GMC-registered doctor and accepted by major airlines worldwide.
Flying while pregnant? Many airlines require a medical letter confirming that you’re fit to travel before allowing you to board. A Pregnancy Fit to Fly Certificate provides official confirmation from a registered doctor that your pregnancy is healthy and that you’re safe to fly.
At Merlin Health, our GMC-registered UK doctors make it quick and easy to get this medical letter — without the need for appointments or clinic visits. The entire process is handled online, and your signed certificate is sent straight to your email inbox the same day — within just a few hours.
We’ve made the process quick and simple. Here’s how it works from start to finish:
Tell us a few key details about your pregnancy and upcoming travel. The form only takes a few minutes to fill out.
A UK GMC-registered doctor will carefully review your information and maternity notes before preparing your certificate.
Once approved, your signed and stamped fit to fly certificate will be emailed to you as a secure PDF — often within the hour.
To issue your certificate, our doctors need enough information to confirm that your pregnancy is progressing normally and that flying is safe. During the online process, you’ll be asked to provide:
Everything is completed online — no waiting rooms, no phone calls, and no need to chase your GP or midwife.
“When you’re pregnant and preparing to travel, the last thing you need is extra stress. At Merlin Health, we’ve made it simple to get a Fit to Fly certificate online, reviewed and signed by a UK doctor within hours. Every certificate is issued after a careful review of your antenatal notes, and our letters are recognised by airlines worldwide – helping you travel with confidence and peace of mind”.
Dr Michael Jones, Co-Founder & Lead Doctor at Merlin Health
“When you’re pregnant and preparing to travel, the last thing you need is extra stress. At Merlin Health, we’ve made it simple to get a Fit to Fly certificate online, reviewed and signed by a UK doctor within hours. Every certificate is issued after a careful review of your antenatal notes, and our letters are recognised by airlines worldwide – helping you travel with confidence and peace of mind”
Dr Michael Jones, Co-Founder & Lead Doctor at Merlin Health
Yes, we ask that you upload a copy or images of your maternity notes when applying for a fit-to-fly certificate. This helps our doctors confirm that your pregnancy is progressing safely and that there are no complications that could make flying risky.
Your maternity or antenatal notes are a record of your pregnancy progress, including recent check-ups, scan results, and midwife observations. In the UK, these notes may be kept in a physical booklet or stored digitally through your local NHS trust. If you’re unsure how to access them, your midwife can guide you on how to download or photograph the relevant pages.
Our medical certificates are recognised by major carriers across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
Your Pregnancy Fit to Fly Certificate includes all the information your airline needs to confirm it’s safe for you to travel. Every letter is reviewed and signed by an experienced UK-registered doctor and includes:
Most airlines require a Fit to Fly Certificate from a doctor once you reach a certain stage in pregnancy, usually after 28 weeks. This letter confirms that both you and your baby are well, that your pregnancy is progressing normally, and that air travel is considered low risk.
Airlines need reassurance that you’re not at risk of labour or complications while in the air, and that your condition doesn’t pose risks such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or medical emergencies mid-flight. Having a valid certificate avoids unnecessary stress or denied boarding at the gate.
Yes — our doctors can complete and sign airline-specific fit to fly forms. We’re familiar with the templates used by Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, British Airways, Emirates, TUI, Etihad, Air India, Qatar Airways, and many others.
If your airline requires a specific form, you can upload it when you apply. There’s a small additional fee (£25) for completing airline-issued templates.
Our doctors follow recognised clinical and airline guidelines when assessing if air travel is suitable. You may be advised against flying if you have certain medical conditions or pregnancy complications, such as:
If any of these apply, your doctor may recommend postponing travel or issue a Not Fit to Fly Certificate instead.
Some NHS GPs or midwives can issue a letter confirming you’re fit to travel, but many are unable to due to limited appointment slots, policy restrictions, or time constraints.
If you need a letter urgently, Merlin Health provides a same-day online alternative, issued by UK-registered doctors and accepted by airlines worldwide. It’s fast, convenient, and saves you from long GP waiting lists.
Most airlines require your fit to fly note to be dated within 7 to 14 days of your flight. Always check your airline’s specific rules before applying. Applying too early might mean your certificate is considered outdated by your departure date.
If our doctors determine that it’s not medically safe for you to travel, your wellbeing always comes first. You’ll have the option to either receive a full refund, or a Not Fit to Fly Certificate to help with flight cancellations, rescheduling, or travel insurance claims.
Yes. A digitally issued, doctor-signed fit to fly letter is fully valid and accepted by airlines globally. Each certificate includes verification details and a QR code for authenticity.
For straightforward pregnancies, a review of your maternity notes is sufficient. If your pregnancy is higher-risk, our doctors may advise an in-person review with your midwife, GP or obstetrician.
Yes, many airlines allow pregnant passengers to travel up to 36 weeks for a single pregnancy and 32 weeks for multiples. After these stages, most carriers restrict travel due to higher risks of labour.
Always confirm your airline’s rules in advance and apply for your certificate at least a week before you travel.
Yes — our UK-registered doctors can issue pregnancy fit to fly certificates to patients anywhere in the world. Whether you’re travelling from the UK or currently abroad, you can complete our online form, upload your maternity notes, and have your certificate reviewed and issued digitally within hours.
Many expectant mothers use our service while overseas or preparing to return home, as airlines often require proof from a registered doctor.
A Pregnancy Fit to Fly Certificate is a doctor-signed medical letter confirming your pregnancy is uncomplicated and you’re safe to travel by air. It typically includes your gestational age, EDD, whether you’re carrying singles or multiples, and the doctor’s credentials. Airlines use it to confirm you’re not at increased risk during the flight.
Most airlines request a pregnancy fit to fly letter from 28 weeks’ gestation onward. Policies differ by carrier and route, so always check your airline’s guidance, especially for long-haul flights and returns close to your due date.
Eligibility depends on a doctor’s review. You’re generally eligible if your pregnancy is low-risk and uncomplicated, within airline gestational limits (commonly up to 36 weeks for a single pregnancy, 32 weeks for multiples), and your maternity notes do not reveal any contraindications.
Apply within 14 days of departure (many airlines prefer the letter dated in that window). If you have a return flight near a later gestation, you may need a second letter closer to that leg.
With Merlin Health, it’s a 3-step process:
Complete our online pregnancy questionnaire and upload recent maternity/antenatal notes.
A UK GMC-registered doctor reviews your case.
If suitable, your doctor-signed certificate is emailed the same day with QR verification.
One of our doctors reviews your notes and information. If you’re fit to travel, we issue your certificate the same day and email it to you as a secure PDF. If we need further clarification, we’ll reach out to you.
Applications submitted by 9pm UK time are reviewed and issued the same day — often within a few hours. Urgent, last-minute requests are prioritised where possible.
Yes. We specialise in same-day certificates, subject to a successful doctor’s review and receipt of clear maternity notes.
Yes. Airlines accept digitally issued, doctor-signed certificates when they include standard details (EDD, gestational age, single vs multiples, doctor’s GMC number). Ours also include a QR code for easy verification.
Your letter typically contains:
Full name and DOB
Gestational age and EDD (estimated due date)
Single or multiple pregnancy
Confirmation you’re fit to travel by air
GMC number and signature of the certifying doctor
QR code and clinic contact details for verification
Sometimes — but availability is limited. Many NHS practices don’t issue travel letters due to demand and insurance constraints, and waits can be weeks. Our private, fully online service provides same-day fit to fly certificates after an online medical review.
Most airlines won’t fly after 36 weeks for singletons or 32 weeks for multiples, even with a letter. Always confirm your airline’s cut-offs and any route-specific limits.
Our online doctor-signed fit to fly certificate is £49.
Yes. Maternity notes are essential to verify a normal, low-risk pregnancy and confirm your estimated due date and gestational age. They allow our doctor to safely confirm fitness to fly, in line with airline medical policies.
If you’re visibly pregnant (often 28+ weeks) and don’t have documentation, the airline may deny boarding. To avoid disruption, carry your certificate (digital and/or printed) and keep it accessible during check-in and boarding.
You can show it at check-in or upload/email it in advance (some carriers request this). We provide a digital PDF with QR verification, making sharing simple. Bringing a printed copy can also help.
Yes. If our doctor determines you’re not fit to fly based on your medical history or notes, we’ll issue a full refund. Where appropriate, we can provide a Not Fit to Fly letter to support refunds or insurance claims.
Got a question or special requirement? Email us at info@merlinhealth.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
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