Air India: pregnancy, illness and fit to fly rules
What Air India actually requires — pregnancy cut-off weeks, certificate rules, infectious illness waiting periods and medical cancellations. From their own published policy.
The short answer. Air India carries an uncomplicated single pregnancy to the 32nd week, extended to the 35th week with documentation and a multiple pregnancy to the 32nd week. Air India requires a fit to fly letter from week 32 of pregnancy.
Worth knowing: Air India has by far the earliest standard cut-off of the carriers here — the 32nd week, and multiple pregnancies are not carried beyond it at all.
Pregnancy rules
| Requirement | Air India |
|---|---|
| Single pregnancy — last week carried | Week 32 |
| Multiple pregnancy — last week carried | Week 32 |
| Letter required from | Week 32 |
| How recently the letter must be dated | issued within 72 hours of departure |
Air India carries an uncomplicated single pregnancy up to and including the 32nd week. Between weeks 32 and 35, where a normal delivery is anticipated, it requires a completed MEDIF form and a medical certificate from the attending obstetrician. The certificate must confirm that the passenger can travel and that the pregnancy has no complications, and be issued within 72 hours of departure. Travel beyond 35 weeks is permitted only in an emergency with the approval of the Executive Director, Medical Services.
Two dates matter, and people plan around the wrong one. The first is the week from which you need a letter. The second is the week Air India stops carrying you — and that one applies on the day you fly home as well as the day you fly out. Work backwards from your return date first.
Chickenpox and infectious illness
Air India does not publish a specific chickenpox waiting period. Contact the airline directly before travelling, and expect to be asked for a letter confirming that the passenger is no longer infectious — that is the question ground staff have to answer, whether or not a number is published.
As a working guide, most UK carriers that do publish a figure use 6 or 7 days from the last new spot. Assume Air India will apply something similar unless it tells you otherwise.
If you need written confirmation that you or your child are past the infectious stage, here is what the letter needs to say.
Medical clearance beyond a letter
A doctor’s letter covers most situations. Where a condition is more complex — a pregnancy with complications, a need for in-flight oxygen, a recent cardiac or neurological event, or travel soon after major surgery — airlines generally require formal clearance from their own medical department via a MEDIF form, not just a letter from your GP.
MEDIF clearance takes days rather than hours, so start it as early as you can. How MEDIF clearance works.
Cancelling a Air India booking on medical grounds
If illness means you cannot travel at all, the position is broadly the same across carriers: refund rights depend on your fare, and any medical cancellation or insurance claim will need documentation. Tell Air India or your tour operator as soon as you know — several insurers reduce a claim if a delay increased the cancellation charge — and then get the medical evidence.
Cancelling a holiday due to illness · The certificate insurers ask for
Common questions
How many weeks pregnant can I fly with Air India?
Air India carries an uncomplicated single pregnancy up to the 32nd week, extended to the 35th week with documentation, and a multiple pregnancy up to the 32nd week. Remember the limit applies on the day you travel — including your return flight.
Do I need a fit to fly letter for Air India?
Yes, from week 32. Air India carries an uncomplicated single pregnancy up to and including the 32nd week. Between weeks 32 and 35, where a normal delivery is anticipated, it requires a completed MEDIF form and a medical certificate from the attending obstetrician. The certificate must confirm that the passenger can travel and that the pregnancy has no complications, and be issued within 72 hours of departure. Travel beyond 35 weeks is permitted only in an emergency with the approval of the Executive Director, Medical Services.
How recently must the Air India letter be dated?
It must be issued within 72 hours of departure. Getting the letter too early is a common and expensive mistake — if it falls outside the window you will need a second one.
What if I need to cancel a Air India booking because I am ill?
Refund rights depend on your fare type and, for a package holiday, on the operator’s terms. What is consistent across carriers is that a medical cancellation needs medical evidence. Notify the airline or operator as soon as you know you cannot travel, then get a not fit to fly certificate to support the claim. Your options in full.
Related
Sources. The airline and clinical facts on this page were checked against these primary sources on 24 August 2026. Airline policies change without notice — always confirm with your airline before you book or travel.
Need a fit to fly letter for Air India?
A GMC-registered UK GP issues the letter in the format Air India asks for, and can complete their own form where they have one. Same day on weekdays.
Get startedReviewed by a GMC-registered GP. Full refund if a certificate cannot be issued on clinical grounds.