fitness for travel form air canada

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Fitness for Travel form - Air Canada

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FITNESS FOR AIR TRAVEL – MEDICAL INFORMATION<br />

Passenger’s Name: Booking Ref.:<br />

Departure Date:<br />

To:<br />

Telephone:<br />

Medical Section<br />

Hours of Operation<br />

MON-FRI 08:00-20:00 EST<br />

SAT-SUN 09:00-18 :00 EST<br />

Email : [email protected]<br />

Fax : 1 888 334-7717 (toll-free) or 514 205-7567<br />

Telephone : 1 800 667-4732 (toll-free) or (514) 369-7039<br />

Fax: _______________________<br />

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN<br />

(This in<strong>for</strong>mation is <strong>for</strong> use by the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> physician, who is a specialist in Aviation Medicine.)<br />

If your patient requires supplemental oxygen, with no other co-morbidities, please fill Section 1.<br />

If your patient has a medical condition which may be affected by air travel, please fill Section 2.<br />

If your patient requires an extra seat <strong>for</strong> reasons of obesity, please fill Sections 2 and 3 (itineraries within <strong>Canada</strong> only).<br />

If your patient is traveling to or from the United States, only Section 4 is required (and Section 1 if oxygen is<br />

required). However, if your patient consents, we strongly encourage you to also fill out Section 2 to help us ensure<br />

safety in a hypoxic environment.<br />

Please answer (in block letters) all the questions in order to have your patient travel on <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> and return to<br />

the above facsimile number as soon as possible. All relevant sections must be signed and dated.<br />

Costs <strong>for</strong> completing this <strong>for</strong>m are the patient’s responsibility.<br />

Revised: September 5, 2012 Page 1 of 6

PASSENGER INFORMATION<br />

For <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> use only<br />

Passenger Name: _____________________________________________ Priority: _____________________<br />

Booking Reference: ___________________________________________ Type: _______________________<br />

Date of Birth: ________________________________________________<br />

Flight Number: ___________________ Date: _________________________ From/to: ___________________<br />

PHYSICIAN INFORMATION<br />

Attending Physician: _______________________________________________ Tel.: ___________________________<br />

Country or Province of Registration: Fax: ___________________________<br />

Physician License Number: ___________________________________________<br />

SECTION 1 – TRAVELLING WITH OXYGEN<br />

1) Oxygen *<br />

a) If the patient already uses oxygen on the ground, please provide the following in<strong>for</strong>mation:<br />

O2 by NP/mask Flow Rate: _______________ Hours per day: __________________<br />

Personal oxygen concentrator ► Type: _________________________________________________<br />

► Setting: _________ Hours per day: _____________________<br />

b) Choose one of the following options <strong>for</strong> flight:<br />

□ Option 1 - Oxygen Request * (provided by <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> – nasal prongs only, no mask):<br />

Oxygen cylinder – required flow: 2 LPM 3 LPM 4 LPM 5 LPM 6 LPM 7 LPM 8 LPM<br />

Is humidified gaseous oxygen a medical necessity: □ Yes □ No<br />

Is a pediatric mask required? □ Yes □ No<br />

□ Option 2 - Personal oxygen concentrator** (passenger provided) – Type: _____________ Setting: ______LPM<br />

□ Option 3 - CPAP Machine ** (passenger provided - must be battery operated):<br />

2) Prognosis <strong>for</strong> a safe trip: □ Good □ Guarded □ Poor<br />

If your patient has a medical condition other than his/her need to use oxygen that may affect his/her fitness <strong>for</strong> air<br />

travel or which may affect his/her need <strong>for</strong> oxygen, please complete Section 2. Otherwise, sign and date this <strong>for</strong>m.<br />

ADVANCE NOTICE REQUIRED<br />

* North America: 48 hours<br />

* International: 72 hours<br />

* POC or CPAP: 48 hours<br />

Best ef<strong>for</strong>ts will be made to accommodate requests made within this delay.<br />

_______________________________________________ __________________________<br />

Physician Signature Date<br />

Revised: September 5, 2012 Page 2 of 6

SECTION 2 – DECLARATION OF ILLNESS, ACCIDENT AND/OR TREATMENT<br />

1) a) Diagnosis: ____________________________________________ b) Date of Onset: _________________<br />

c) Treatment: ___________________________________________________________________________________<br />

d) Nature and date of any surgery: __________________________________________________________________<br />

2) Present symptoms and severity: _____________________________________________________________________<br />

3) Will a cabin pressure the equivalent of a fast trip to a mountain elevation of 2400 m (8000 ft) above sea level (i.e. a 25%<br />

reduction in the ambient partial pressure of oxygen) affect the passenger’s medical condition? □ Yes □ No<br />

4) Can the patient walk 100 meters at a normal pace or climb 10-12 stairs without symptoms? □ Yes □ No<br />

5) Medication list: __________________________________________________________________________________<br />

6) Vital signs<br />

a) Oxygen saturation _______ □ Room air □ O2 ______ Lpm Blood pressure _______ Heart rate: _______<br />

b) Anemia □ Yes □ No - Give degree in grams of hemoglobin: _____________________________<br />

7) a) Is the patient medically fit to travel unaccompanied?<br />

□ Yes – For adults with cognitive disability, does the patient need assistance at the airport? □ Yes □ No<br />

□ No – The patient needs a safety/personal attendant to attend to personal needs (meals, toileting, administering<br />

medication, etc) AND to physically assist in the event of an emergency evacuation.<br />

Who should accompany passenger?<br />

□ Doctor □ Nurse □ Other adult (family, friend) able to attend to all personal AND safety needs<br />

b) Bowel Control: □ Yes □ No Bladder Control: □ Yes □ No – Mode of control: ___________<br />

8) Degree of ambulation: Able to walk without assistance? □ Yes<br />

□ No a) Wheelchair required <strong>for</strong> boarding □ To aircraft □ To seat<br />

b) Does the patient travel with his/her own wheelchair? □ Electrical □ Manual<br />

9) Cardiac Condition<br />

a) Angina: □ No □ Yes Date of last episode: ____________________________________________<br />

Limit to physical activity: □ None □ Slight □ Marked □ Severe<br />

b) Myocardial Infarction: □ No □ Yes - Date: ________________________________________<br />

i) Complications: □ No □ Yes – Specify: _____________________________________<br />

ii) Low risk on angiography or non-invasive studies? □ Yes □ No<br />

iii) If angioplasty or coronary bypass, date: _____________________<br />

c) Cardiac Failure: □ No □ Yes – Date of last episode: ______________________________________<br />

Functional class: □ No symptoms Short of breath: □ With major ef<strong>for</strong>t □ With light ef<strong>for</strong>t □ At rest<br />

d) Syncope: □ No □ Yes - Investigations: ___________________________________________<br />

Revised: September 5, 2012 Page 3 of 6

SECTION 2 – DECLARATION OF ILLNESS, ACCIDENT AND/OR TREATMENT (Continued)<br />

10) Chronic Pulmonary Condition: □ No □ Yes – Diagnosis: _______________________________________<br />

a) Short of breath: □ No □ On exertion □ At rest<br />

b) Has the patient had recent arterial gases? □ No □ Yes If yes, what were the results?<br />

□ pCO2 _____________□ pO2 ____________ □ Saturation ____________ Date of exam: ____________<br />

Blood gases were taken on: □ Room air □ Oxygen __________ LPM<br />

c) Has the patient recently taken a commercial aircraft in these same conditions? □ Yes □ No<br />

If yes, any medical problems or complications? _______________________________________________________<br />

11) Psychiatric/Behavioural/Cognitive Condition: □ No □ Yes Diagnosis: ____________________________<br />

a) Is there a possibility that the patient will become agitated during the flight? □ Yes □ No<br />

b) Has he/she taken a commercial aircraft be<strong>for</strong>e? □ Yes □ No<br />

If yes, did he/she travel: □ Alone □ Accompanied Date of travel: ___________________<br />

12) Seizure: □ No □ Yes a) Cause/Type: __________________________________________________<br />

b) When was the last seizure? _______________________________________<br />

c) Are the seizures controlled by medication? □ Yes □ No<br />

13) Allergy to Nuts: Severe allergy to nuts or peanuts? □ Yes □ No<br />

Carries own epinephrine auto-injector? □ Yes □ No<br />

Capacity to self administer epinephrine if allergic reaction occurs? □ Yes □ No<br />

14) Allergy to cats: Do you suffer from: □ itchy eyes □ runny nose □ itchy skin/rash<br />

□ wheezing □ cough □ shortness of breath<br />

Do you carry your own asthma inhaler/pump? □ Yes □ No<br />

15) Other medical in<strong>for</strong>mation:<br />

__________________________________________________________________________________________________<br />

16) Prognosis <strong>for</strong> a safe trip: □ Good □ Guarded □ Poor<br />

Revised: September 5, 2012 Page 4 of 6

FOR ITINERARIES WHOLLY WITHIN CANADA ONLY<br />

THIS SECTION REQUIRED ONLY IF REQUESTING AN EXTRA SEAT FOR REASONS OF OBESITY<br />

The in<strong>for</strong>mation provided herein will assist <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> in determining passenger’s right to accommodation in the <strong>for</strong>m<br />

of extra seating without charge.<br />

For first assessment, please ensure all sections above are completed by the attending physician.<br />

If this is a renewal, this section can be completed by an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist or nurse practitioner<br />

provided no other co-morbidities had been identified by the physician in the initial assessment and passenger’s fitness <strong>for</strong><br />

flying has not changed in the last 2 years.<br />

1) Measurements (please use metric measurements)<br />

a) Weight ___________ kg<br />

b) Height ___________ cm<br />

c) Body Mass Index ______________ (kg/m 2 )<br />

d) Surface measurement * A to B ___________ cm<br />

SECTION 3 – EXTRA SEATING FOR REASON OF OBESITY<br />

* Surface measurement should be calculated by measuring the distance between the extreme widest projection points of<br />

the patient when seated as follows instruction:<br />

1. Have your patient sit on a paper covered examination table.<br />

2. Rest a ruler or straightedge on the left side of patient at the widest point (hip or waist) as shown on diagram<br />

below.<br />

3. Mark the touch point between the ruler and the paper as Point A.<br />

4. Rest a ruler or straightedge on the right side of patient at the widest point (hip or waist).<br />

5. Mark the touch point between the ruler and the paper as Point B.<br />

6. Measure the distance between Point A and Point B, and indicate this measurement above under “d) Surface<br />

measurement”.<br />

_______________________________________________ ______________________<br />

Call the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> Medical Assistance Desk at 1-800-667-4732 and provide your booking reference in order to request extra<br />

seating <strong>for</strong> medical reasons and make any other necessary arrangements <strong>for</strong> your flight.<br />

Revised: September 5, 2012 Page 5 of 6

1) Reasonable Doubt<br />

Will the passenger be able to complete the flight safely without requiring extraordinary medical attention?<br />

□ Yes<br />

□ No – <strong>for</strong> instance, the passenger:<br />

a) Has an unstable medical condition;<br />

b) Has a medical condition that may worsen in a hypoxic environment;<br />

c) May require medical assistance during flight;<br />

d) May require the use of onboard emergency medical equipment; or<br />

e) Is unable to self-administer medications or routine medical care necessary to maintain the stability of<br />

his/her condition during a flight (e.g. insulin injection).<br />

2) Communicable Diseases<br />

a) Does the passenger have a disease or infection that, would under the present conditions, be communicable to<br />

other persons and that could pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others during the normal course of the<br />

flight?<br />

□ No □ Yes<br />

b) Are there any conditions or precautions that would have to be observed to prevent the transmission of the<br />

disease or infection to other persons in the normal course of the flight?<br />

SECTION 4 – TRAVELLING BETWEEN CANADA AND THE USA<br />

For passengers traveling on a flight between <strong>Canada</strong> and the USA, we can only require the completion of this<br />

Section 4 of this FITNESS FOR AIR TRAVEL Form.<br />

However, we strongly recommend that Section 2 be completed by the attending physician to ensure that<br />

passengers’ condition will not be aggravated in a hypoxic cabin environment.<br />

If so, state which: _______________________________________________________________________<br />

3) Oxygen<br />

Does the passenger use oxygen on the ground, or will the passenger require supplemental oxygen in flight?<br />

□ No □ Yes – Please complete Section 1<br />

________________________________________________ ________________________<br />

Physician Signature Date*<br />

*Must be dated within 10 days<br />

of the date of the initial departing flight<br />

Revised: September 5, 2012 Page 6 of 6

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FITNESS FOR AIR TRAVEL – MEDICAL INFORMATION Passenger’s Name: Booking Ref.: Departure Date: To: Telephone: Medical Section Hours of Operation MON-FRI 08:00-20:00 EST SAT-SUN 09:00-18 :00 EST Email : [email protected] Fax : 1 888 334-7717 (toll-free) or 514 205-7567 Telephone : 1 800 667-4732 (toll-free) or (514) 369-7039 Fax: _______________________ INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN (This in<strong>for</strong>mation is <strong>for</strong> use by the <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> physician, who is a specialist in Aviation Medicine.) If your patient requires supplemental oxygen, with no other co-morbidities, please fill Section 1. If your patient has a medical condition which may be affected by air travel, please fill Section 2. If your patient requires an extra seat <strong>for</strong> reasons of obesity, please fill Sections 2 and 3 (itineraries within <strong>Canada</strong> only). If your patient is traveling to or from the United States, only Section 4 is required (and Section 1 if oxygen is required). However, if your patient consents, we strongly encourage you to also fill out Section 2 to help us ensure safety in a hypoxic environment. Please answer (in block letters) all the questions in order to have your patient travel on <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> and return to the above facsimile number as soon as possible. All relevant sections must be signed and dated. Costs <strong>for</strong> completing this <strong>for</strong>m are the patient’s responsibility. Revised: September 5, 2012 Page 1 of 6

• Page 2 and 3: FITNESS FOR AIR TRAVEL - MEDICAL IN
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• Page 6: FITNESS FOR AIR TRAVEL - MEDICAL IN

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Rest and relaxation should be your only focus while on vacation. That's why, to make your safety our only priority, we’ve introduced new health and safety standards. The following preventive measures ensure that you stay safe while on your way to your hotel or resort in Mexico, the Caribbean, South and Central America.

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This requirement applies to all travellers except for children under the age of 6 or customers who have a medical condition preventing them from wearing such a covering. This exemption will need to be verified and approved by Air Canada in advance through a medical certificate or Air Canada Fitness to Fly form. Click here for more details on how to submit.

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Fully vaccinated customers may still be selected for random testing on arrival but are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result. All customers (regardless of how long you were away from Canada) will continue to be required to submit their mandatory information on the ArriveCan app or website.

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■  Duties and responsibilities:

Fitness to participate: reduce your risk when patients ask for a certificate of fitness.

Published: April 2022 The information in this article was correct at the time of publishing

Patients may ask physicians to complete forms stating that they are “fit to participate” in certain events. While such forms are standard in the employment context in relation to return to work, they may be requested for other activities, including flights, marathons, and other events carrying significant risk to health or safety.

The CMPA hears from physicians with questions about completing these forms. The forms carry an extra administrative burden at a time when physicians are already overloaded. The forms may also make physicians feel as if they are assuming full responsibility for a patient’s well-being—even if they’ve just met the patient or have only limited information about the sport or event in question.

Despite the challenges associated with fitness to participate forms, some patients will need them signed in order to participate in activities that are important to them. Since the forms have become a part of practice for many physicians, it’s best to approach them in ways that limit medico-legal liability and promote good communication.

The extent of a physician’s obligations

Fitness to participate forms have been the subject of medical regulatory authority (College) complaints and civil actions, but most of these actions have focused on inaccurate or misleading statements made by physicians. While it’s important that all statements made in fitness to participate forms be accurate, the overall medico-legal risk associated with such forms is low.

Physicians have an obligation to provide patients with information about their medical condition. As a result, it may be considered professional misconduct for a physician to refuse to complete a fitness to participate form. However, the obligation to complete the form is limited to answering only those questions on which you are qualified and able to comment. You are not obligated to answer every question on a form if you do not feel capable of commenting on that area, and you are not expected to undertake assessments outside your area of clinical expertise.

Specific fitness to participate forms

A) air travel.

Airlines may request that patients with specific medical issues (such as seizure disorders or cardiac conditions) submit a signed “Fitness for Air Travel” form. Generally, the goal of these forms is to provide some reasonable level of reassurance that a passenger’s condition will not be aggravated by flight or require emergency diversion. To this end, airlines may ask a physician to certify that a passenger will “be able to complete the flight safely.” 1

However, without access to a wide range of details—including information about unplanned delays, turbulence, and stopovers—it may not be possible for a physician to confirm that a patient can complete a safe flight. For this reason, you should avoid stating that the patient is “fit to fly.” Instead, you may wish to limit your response to statements about the patient’s overall medical condition and health, as well as specific information about the stability of the patient’s condition and any recent deterioration. 2 As with any fitness to participate form, you may choose to submit the form to the airline having answered only the questions you are capable of answering.

b) Sporting and other events

Forms about marathons and other occasional events can be challenging, since the physician may not know the patient particularly well, and it may be the first time the patient has participated in such an event. In these situations, it’s best to approach the form by asking, “Is there any obvious reason the patient should not do this?” 3

Conduct a thorough assessment, and consider the patient’s current state and their medical history. If in doubt about contraindications, ask the patient to get more information from the event organizers.

If you are relying on information provided by the patient or the event organizers, be sure to state that in the medical record. The best approach might be to not complete the form, but to instead provide a letter stating that you are relying on information provided by the patient, and to document the findings of your assessment and your general opinion of the patient’s fitness to participate. If attaching a letter instead of completing a form, be sure to tell the patient that the event organizers may contact them for more information.

Communicating with patients about fitness to participate forms

If you are able to complete only parts of a certificate, or plan to attach a letter instead of completing the certificate, it is important to communicate your rationale for doing so with the patient. Similarly, a patient may ask you to complete a form without the patient being examined, as may happen if the patient had recently been examined or an appointment cannot be arranged expeditiously. In such scenarios, you may need to explain that you do not feel comfortable signing the form because there are statements you cannot attest to. In other cases, it may be appropriate to refer the patient to a specialist who may have more expertise about the activity in question in order to complete the form.

The bottom line

• There have been College complaints and civil actions about fitness to participate forms, but those actions have focused mostly on inaccurate or misleading statements. The overall medico-legal risk associated with these forms is low.
• While physicians are obligated to consider a patient’s request to complete fitness to participate forms, the obligation extends only to answering questions the physician is qualified and able to comment on.
• If you feel the form is asking for information you do not have, tell the patient why you cannot complete the entire form. Consider skipping sections you cannot complete, or attaching a letter instead of the form.

For information about fitness to drive, see “Hit the brakes: Do you need to report your patient’s fitness to drive?”

• 1.  For example, see section 4 of Air Canada’s “Fitness for Air Travel” form. Available from: https://www.aircanada.com/content/dam/aircanada/portal/documents/PDF/en/fft.pdf
• 2.  Medical Protection Society. MPS; 2014 Jun; updated 2020 May. Fit to fly [cited 2022 Apr]. Available from: https://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/articles/fit-to-fly
• 3.  Medical Protection Society. MPS; 2019 Apr. Should I declare that my patient is fit to run a marathon? [cited 2022 Apr]. Available from: https://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/articles/should-i-declare-that-my-patient-is-fit-to-run-a-marathon

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this learning material is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific professional medical or legal advice, nor to constitute a "standard of care" for Canadian healthcare professionals. The use of CMPA learning resources is subject to the foregoing as well as the CMPA's Terms of Use .

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Safety and security

Airport security screening.

Information to guide you through the airport security screening process.

Airport security screening wait times

Security screening wait times at airports in Canada

In-flight safety

Aircraft safety procedures and advice

Theft from carry-on baggage

Tips to help protect the valuables in your carry-on baggage

Taking small children through security screening

Advice on going through security screening with a child

Flying with special needs

Information on flying with disabilities or special needs

Travelling with a service animal

Advice on travelling with a service animal 

More information

Duty-free purchases as carry-on baggage.

Ensure that duty-free liquids, aerosols and gels are sealed in official security bags

CANPASS - Private aircraft

CANPASS cards allow private aircraft to clear customs and immigration quickly and securely

Small aircraft safety guides

Guides for passengers on small aircraft (seaplanes, floatplanes, helicopters, aircraft charters and hot air balloons)

Air passenger rights

Airlines have obligations to their passengers

Advance Declaration: Save time at the border

Submit your customs and immigration declaration before flying into Canada

Mobile Passport Control app

Travellers can shorten the entry process to the U.S. by submitting their passport and customs declaration information through this app

What we are doing

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• Canadian Air Transport Security Act
• Canada Transportation Act

Publications

• Bon voyage, but… Essential information for Canadian travellers

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• CATSA claims form
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You need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to Canada.

Find helpful information on health and safety, travel documents, baggage, airport security, country advice and more.

Important information on travel insurance and why you shouldn’t leave the country without it.

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Travelling with health concerns

Our top priority at WestJet is the health, safety, and comfort of our guests and crew. Guests are advised that air travel may negatively affect their overall medical condition. If a medical emergency occurs onboard an aircraft, coordinating an unplanned landing to access high-quality ground medical care can take additional time to coordinate. 

If you are affected by any of the medical conditions listed below, we recommend you review your plans and this information with your physician to ensure you are safe to fly before confirming your travel. Additionally, it may be necessary to consult with our health professionals at the Medical Desk to ensure that you have a safe and comfortable flight.

Please click on the buttons below to access a printable version of our Medical Information Form and our Information for Health Care Providers Document.

Any charges incurred for the completion of this form will be at your expense. WestJet will not provide you with compensation if you are not approved for accommodation.  Please note: Medical Information Forms will be retained for a minimum of three years and handled in accordance with the  WestJet Privacy Policy .

Medical clearance

Follow up with your physician to discuss whether you should travel if you are sick or unwell before departure. All guests who appear sick or unwell at the airport may be subject to medical screening at the discretion of our WestJet agents or cabin crew. 

If you have one or more of the following medical conditions, please review your health status with your physician to determine if you need to submit our Medical Information Form .

• Active infectious conditions such as, but not limited to, tuberculosis, chicken pox and measles 
• Clotting disorders where your condition and treatment require monitoring by your physician
• Severe anemia
• Casted limb within 48 hours of departure
• Cancer with active treatment
• History of condition deteriorating during previous flights
• Not orientated x3 (to person/place/time)
• Unstable/unpredictable or aggressive behavior/agitation
• Current ear infection with the inability to clear ears 
• Eye surgery where gas has been instilled and not absorbed 
• Post-operative middle ear or nasal surgery within 10 days of departure 
• Recent jaw surgery within a week of departure 
• Tonsillectomy within 3 weeks of departure
• Abdominal surgery within 14 days of departure 
• Bleeding within 10 days of departure 
• Laparoscopic surgery within 5 days of departure
• Currently symptomatic or unstable 
• Inability to walk 50m without significant shortness of breath or chest pain 
• Oxygen is required during the flight — please discuss with your physician whether you need medical clearance to travel 
• Recent deterioration 
• 7 days old or less 
• Complex medical needs
• Surgery within 14 days of departure
• Head trauma less than 48 hours of departure 
• Seizures within a month of departure 
• Stroke within 14 days of departure 
• Transient ischemic attack within 72 hours of departure 
• Singleton equal to or greater than 36 weeks gestation
• Multiple equal to or greater than 32 weeks gestation
• Recent medical event on board a commercial aircraft or at the airport
• Severe allergies

Information for health care providers

Air travel with medical conditions

There are numerous factors to consider when determining if your patient is medically fit to fly. Air travel can have low humidity, turbulence, prolonged periods of immobility, and requires a patient to sit upright in an aircraft seat. Several other factors can lead to deterioration of a medical condition on board, including: 

• Gas expansion at altitude - As an aircraft ascends to cruising altitude, any gas trapped in the body will expand. In fact, the volume of gas can expand up to 30%, causing significant issues in specific instances. It may be important for your patient to consider delaying air travel if they have had recent surgery (especially in a small space such as the eye or ear) or recent pneumothorax (collapsed lung).
• Altitude and its effect on oxygen levels - Our aircraft are pressurized to altitudes equivalent to 5000-8000 ft above sea level. At this altitude, there is less oxygen available. Healthy individuals will not notice this change, but those suffering from severe anemia, cardiac or pulmonary conditions could be at risk of severe hypoxia. Some individuals may require a Personal Oxygen Concentrator (POC) on board an aircraft to supplement their oxygen needs, even if they do not require oxygen on the ground. In these instances, consider delaying air travel until their condition is stable. To learn more information about oxygen needs, click here . 
• Limited access to medical care on board -  In the event of a medical issue on board, our crews are trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). However, access to higher level medical care can take a prolonged amount of time, depending on many factors.

When should a WestJet Medical Information Form be completed (MEDIF)?

Please consider filling out a WestJet Medical Information Form  for your patient if they have any of the following conditions or illnesses:

a) Any medical condition or illness that may deteriorate while on board the aircraft and potentially impact other guests. Examples may include severe heart disease, active infectious diseases, neurological issues, or unstable psychiatric illnesses. 

b) Any medical condition or illness that may worsen because of conditions on board the aircraft at cruising altitude. Examples may include a recent surgery where air is introduced into a body cavity, recent epistaxis, severe respiratory disease, or recent pneumothorax. 

c) Any potentially contagious infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, chicken pox, or influenza.

A completed  WestJet Medical Information Form  provides the information required to determine if a guest with remarkable underlying health issues is medically fit to fly. The type of medical information gathered complies with international air travel guidelines. The information provided is retained in accordance with  WestJet’s Privacy Policy  and the requirements of the Canadian Transportation Agency's Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations. 

The guidance provided is in accordance with the International Air Transport Association’s guidelines . 

Cardiac and vascular conditions

Central nervous system disorders, ear, nose and throat disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, hematological conditions, ophthalmologist disorders, orthopedic conditions, psychological conditions, respiratory conditions, miscellaneous conditions.

References:

Fitness to fly for passengers with cardiovascular disease, The report of the working group of the British Cardiovascular Society, Heart 2010;ii1-ii16. doi:10.1136/hrt.2010.203091

Coker, R. K., Armstrong, A., Church, A. C., Holmes, S., Naylor, J., Pike, K., Saunders, P., Spurling, K., & Vaughn, P. (2022). BTS Clinical Statement on air travel for passengers with respiratory disease. Thorax, 10 (1136), 1-22.

Medical manual. IATA. https://www.iata.org/en/publications/medical-manual/. Published July 12, 2020. Accessed September 8, 2022.

Managing passengers with stable respiratory disease planning air travel: British Thoracic Society recommendations. Thorax, Sept. 2011, Vol 66, Supplement 1.

Thibeault C, Evans AD, Dowdall NP. Asma Medical Guidelines for air travel: Fitness to fly and Medical Clearances. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance. 2015;86(7):656-656. doi:10.3357/amhp.4222.2015.

NYHA: New York Heart Association NYHA Class Symptoms

I No symptoms and no limitation in ordinary physical activity, e.g. no shortness of breath when walking, climbing stairs etc.

II Mild symptoms (mild shortness of breath) and slight limitation during ordinary activity.

Ill Marked limitation in activity due to symptoms, even during less-than-ordinary activity, e.g. walking short distances (20-100 m).  Comfortable only at rest.

IV Severe limitations. Experiences symptoms even while at rest. Mostly bedbound patients.

Medical Information Form

Access our Medical Information Form  to fill out with your physician. The WestJet’s Information for Health Care Providers Document contains information your doctor will need to consider regarding your safety to fly.  Any charges incurred for the completion of this form will be at your expense. WestJet will not provide you with compensation if you are not approved for accommodation.  Please note: Medical Information Forms will be retained for a minimum of three years and handled in accordance with the  WestJet Privacy Policy .

Please submit your request for medical clearance at least 14 days prior to departure. We cannot guarantee that forms received within 48 hours of your scheduled departure will be reviewed prior to your flight. Refunds of any fare type will not be provided for flights taken before an approval has been granted. All fees and fare guidelines for fare purchased will apply to previously booked flights.

If your travel itinerary includes a flight operated by another airline, please contact them to ensure you are meeting their requirements as it relates to your medical condition. Completed forms can be emailed to [email protected] or sent in via fax to 1-866-737-1202. 

For flights to/from the United States only

A medical certificate from your physician, dated within 10 days of the departing flight, will be accepted as an alternative to the WestJet Medical Information Form . The medical certificate must indicate your prognosis for a safe flight with no extraordinary medical assistance required on board, and confirm there is no indication of a contagious disease that would pose a risk to the safety of others on board.

We encourage all guests to review WestJet's Information for Health Care Providers Document  with their physician and strongly suggest that the Medical Information Form  be completed if indicated to ensure your medical condition will not worsen at altitude during flight.  

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WestJet is excited to connect our guests to the world as well as welcoming new guests from around the globe by growing our network of code-share and interline partners.

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