At a glance
Everything you need to know about the Fit-to-Fly document: what it's for, when it's needed and how to get it quickly before your flight.
What is a "Fit to fly" document?
You've booked a flight, but you fall ill or have an accident just before your departure? In that case, most of the time you'll give up your trip and cancel your flight or postpone your departure.
But what should you do if you're (seriously) ill or have an accident while you're already abroad and need to return home? Normally, you'll call on your assistance company, which will take care of opening and following up your medical file on the spot and will do what's needed to allow you to return home in the best possible conditions.
However, if you need to fly home in such circumstances, many airlines will require a document they call "Fit to Fly" (FTF). This document is a written medical statement (possibly drawn up by the doctor who treated you on the spot) certifying that you're able to fly without putting your health at risk.
Without this document, some passengers have already been denied boarding!
You risk being asked for the FTF if, at check-in, you show visible symptoms of illness or significant injuries. It won't be required for a minor illness (such as a simple cold) or a minor injury with no consequences for your health during the flight.
For the traveller, this procedure is meant to look after their medical wellbeing. For the airline, it allows them to be released from any medical liability in the event of complications during the flight, and ensures that the passenger's presence poses no risk to others.
Where to request or obtain the FTF?
The Fit to Fly document isn't an official document, but rather a "concept". In principle, any certificate drawn up and signed by a doctor stating that the passenger is fit to travel by air (from a specific date and possibly under certain conditions) can be considered and accepted as a Fit to Fly.
Some airlines have a "pre-set" document that they ask their customers to have filled in by their doctor. In some cases, you'll find it on their website.
The same goes for assistance companies such as Redion, which has this document available in French and English.
A medical problem abroad? Trust your assistance provider
When Redion organises and takes care of a medical repatriation by air, the necessary steps are taken so that the airline can obtain the FTF.
If you're treated as an outpatient, your assistance provider will probably advise you to ask your doctor for this certificate during your follow-up visit.
If necessary, a copy of the FTF can be issued to a traveller travelling alone, so that they can present it at check-in, at boarding, or whenever else the airline requests it.
Redion informs its customer of these various procedures as part of managing their file.
Is there a specific document for pregnant women?
Beyond a certain stage of pregnancy, flying is strongly discouraged.
That's why airlines have specific rules refusing boarding to a pregnant woman beyond a certain stage, unless she can present a medical certificate drawn up by her treating doctor or her treating gynaecologist (or sometimes also by the airline's medical adviser) allowing her to travel by air.
The same applies to assistance companies, which exclude assistance cover beyond a certain number of weeks of pregnancy (28 weeks in Redion's case) if the pregnant traveller cannot present this medical certificate.
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