Fit to Fly Certificate

Flying while recovering from surgery: Varies based on severity of the surgery. Contact your airline and your GP about establishing whether you’re fit to fly.

Flying with a heart condition: According to the British Cardiovascular Society guidelines, most people with a heart condition can fly safely, but this varies based on severity of condition. Contact your airline and your GP or specialist about establishing whether you’re fit to fly.

Flying with angina: Provided symptoms are under control by medication, angina should not be a problem on board an aircraft. However, if you get chest pain while at rest (so-called unstable angina), you may not be able to fly. Contact your airline and your GP about establishing whether you’re fit to fly.

Flying after a heart attack: You may be able to travel after 7 to 10 days, provided there are no complications. Always check with your specialist before booking a flight.

Flying after heart failure: Flying after heart failure Provided symptoms are under control, heart failureshould not be a problem in flight. However, if you have chest pain while at rest you may not be able to fly. Contact your airline and your GP about establishing whether you’re fit to fly.

Flying with a pacemaker: Should not cause problems for travelling by air. However, pacemakers can sometimes set off airport security alarms so be prepared with a letter from your doctor.

Flying after heart surgery: Advisable not to fly for at least 10-14 days after bypass grafting or other heart or chest surgery and until you are able to manage normal day-to-day activities. However, if you’ve had an angioplasty (or other procedure which doesn’t involve open surgery) you may be fit to fly from 3 days after the procedure, as long as your specialist gives the
okay.

Flying with high blood pressure: Flying with high blood pressure High blood pressure should not be affected by air travel, but it is advisable to only travel when your blood pressure is controlled. Find out more from our article on travelling with high blood pressure.

Flying with asthma: Those with asthma should not have issues with flying, though it is advisable to always carry any medication such as an inhaler in your hand luggage. You can find out more about travelling with asthma from our article.

Flying with a broken bone: Because of the risk of swelling inside a cast, many airlines choose to restrict flying during the first 24-48 hours after a cast has been fitted. If you do decide to travel before that time period has elapsed you can expect the airline to require your cast to be split along the full length to prevent any pressure build-up impacting your circulation. Having a letter containing the date & time the cast was fitted will be helpful.

Flying with diabetes: Air travel should not pose significant problems for travelers with well-controlled diabetes. However, it’s important to check in advance what other precautions you need.

Flying with ear, nose, throat problems: Active middle-ear infections, effusions, or recent ear surgery are contra-indications to flying unless the patient is deemed fit to fly by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.