Qatar Airways: pregnancy, illness and fit to fly rules
What Qatar Airways actually requires — pregnancy cut-off weeks, certificate rules, infectious illness waiting periods and medical cancellations. From their own published policy.
The short answer. Qatar Airways carries an uncomplicated single pregnancy to the 36 weeks and a multiple pregnancy to the 32 weeks. Qatar Airways requires a fit to fly letter from week 29 of pregnancy.
Pregnancy rules
| Requirement | Qatar Airways |
|---|---|
| Single pregnancy — last week carried | Week 36 |
| Multiple pregnancy — last week carried | Week 32 |
| Letter required from | Week 29 |
| How recently the letter must be dated | completed no more than 10 days before the initial departure date |
From week 29 Qatar Airways requires a certificate written in English containing the patient’s name and date of birth, last menstrual period and estimated date of delivery, gestational age on the day of examination, proposed travel dates, confirmation of an uncomplicated single or multiple pregnancy, confirmation of fitness to travel for the whole journey including the return, and the date, stamp and contact details of the clinician. A complicated pregnancy requires a MEDIF instead, submitted no less than 48 hours and no more than 7 days before departure.
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 Qatar Airways 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
Qatar Airways 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 Qatar Airways 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 Qatar Airways 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 Qatar Airways 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 Qatar Airways?
Qatar Airways carries an uncomplicated single pregnancy up to the 36 weeks, and a multiple pregnancy up to the 32 weeks. Remember the limit applies on the day you travel — including your return flight.
Do I need a fit to fly letter for Qatar Airways?
Yes, from week 29. From week 29 Qatar Airways requires a certificate written in English containing the patient’s name and date of birth, last menstrual period and estimated date of delivery, gestational age on the day of examination, proposed travel dates, confirmation of an uncomplicated single or multiple pregnancy, confirmation of fitness to travel for the whole journey including the return, and the date, stamp and contact details of the clinician. A complicated pregnancy requires a MEDIF instead, submitted no less than 48 hours and no more than 7 days before departure.
How recently must the Qatar Airways letter be dated?
It must be completed no more than 10 days before the initial departure date. 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 Qatar Airways 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 Qatar Airways?
A GMC-registered UK GP issues the letter in the format Qatar Airways 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.