Airline Medical Clearance Requirements in Canada 2026: Complete Guide
Flying with a medical condition in Canada? Here's everything you need to know about airline medical clearance requirements for 2026, including MEDIF forms and fit-to-fly letters.
## Airline Medical Clearance in Canada: What You Need to Know in 2026
If you have a medical condition, recent surgery, or injury, Canadian airlines may require you to obtain medical clearance before boarding. This guide covers the requirements for all major Canadian carriers and explains how to get cleared quickly.
### When Is Medical Clearance Required?
Airlines typically require medical clearance (also called a "fit-to-fly" certificate) when a passenger:
- Has had surgery within the past 7-14 days
- Has a respiratory condition requiring supplemental oxygen
- Has had a recent heart attack or stroke (within 2-6 weeks)
- Is in the late stages of pregnancy (after 36 weeks, or 32 weeks for multiples)
- Has a communicable disease
- Has a condition that may require emergency medical attention during flight
- Has a recent fracture with a full-leg or full-arm cast
- Requires a stretcher or medical equipment on board
### Canadian Airline Requirements Compared
| Airline | Form Required | Submission Deadline | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | MEDIF or doctor's letter | 48-72 hours before flight | 24-48 hours |
| WestJet | Medical Clearance Form | 48 hours before flight | 24-48 hours |
| Flair Airlines | Doctor's letter | 24-48 hours before flight | Same day |
| Porter Airlines | MEDIF | 72 hours before flight | 48 hours |
| Sunwing | Medical letter | 48 hours before flight | 24 hours |
### Air Canada Medical Clearance Process
Air Canada uses the IATA MEDIF (Medical Information Form) system:
1. **Part 1** - Completed by the passenger (travel details, condition summary)
2. **Part 2** - Completed by the attending physician (diagnosis, fitness assessment, special requirements)
Submit to Air Canada's Medical Assistance Desk at least 48 hours before departure. For complex cases, submit 5-7 days in advance.
**Conditions that always require Air Canada MEDIF:**
- Supplemental oxygen needed during flight
- Stretcher required
- Surgery within 10 days
- Unstable cardiac condition
- Active communicable disease
- Psychiatric condition requiring escort
### WestJet Medical Clearance Process
WestJet's process is slightly simpler:
1. Download the Medical Clearance Form from westjet.com
2. Have your physician complete and sign it
3. Submit via email to WestJet's medical desk
4. Receive confirmation within 24-48 hours
**WestJet-specific rules:**
- Plaster casts on flights over 4 hours must be bivalved (split)
- Passengers requiring oxygen must use WestJet-approved portable concentrators
- Pregnancy after 36 weeks requires a doctor's letter dated within 72 hours of travel
### Flair Airlines Medical Clearance
Flair Airlines (based in Edmonton) has a more flexible approach:
- A signed doctor's letter is usually sufficient (no specific form required)
- The letter must confirm the passenger is fit to fly
- Submit at check-in or at the gate
- For oxygen requirements, contact Flair's accessibility team 48+ hours in advance
### What Your Doctor's Letter Must Include
For a medical clearance letter to be accepted by Canadian airlines, it should include:
1. **Patient identification** - Full name matching passport/ID
2. **Medical condition** - Brief description relevant to flight safety
3. **Fitness declaration** - Clear statement that the patient is fit for air travel
4. **Duration** - Dates the clearance is valid for
5. **Special requirements** - Any accommodations needed (wheelchair, oxygen, extra legroom)
6. **Physician credentials** - Name, license number, signature, date
7. **Contact information** - In case the airline needs to verify
### Conditions That Do NOT Require Clearance
You generally do NOT need medical clearance for:
- Well-controlled diabetes
- Stable asthma (with personal inhaler)
- Allergies (carry your EpiPen in carry-on)
- Mild anxiety or depression on stable medication
- Healed fractures (cast removed)
- Minor surgery more than 14 days ago
- Pregnancy under 28 weeks (single) or 28 weeks (multiples)
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