Do we need a medical certificate for traveling by flight?

Usually, Airlines never ask for medical certificates from travelers if they are healthy and fit for air travel on any available routes. However, if travelers have medical issues or are doubtful about whether air travel will be safe in such ill conditions, the Airlines ask for proper, valid medical reports with the signatures of specialist doctors. Every airline has certain terms and conditions when travelers want to use their flights, even during several medical illnesses. Depending on their medical issues, the Airlines will decide whether they are really fit for air travel. Under any doubtful case or severe medical illness, the airlines may deny them the ability to board the plane as per the rules. So, they must avoid or carry the valid medical reports clearance if any past illness exists before travel.

What is required for a medical certificate?

Airlines have strict rules for passengers who are unfit or have had medical problems in the past that still affect travel. To avoid issues during travel, interested passengers must have specific medical clearance before traveling to any city. Airlines ask for FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner or AME reports. Airlines will ask you to submit a report on hearing, vision, cardiovascular health, and general health in the form of a medical certificate. Moreover, to find more details about the medical certificates, contact the airline directly or refer to its website before planning trips.

What is the medical certificate for air travel?

Simply, a medical certificate denotes that any particular passenger is fit or unfit for the flight journey. Federal Aviation Administration or FAA considers medical certificates as proper physical fitness evidence. Airlines will accept the FAA-based medical certificate only after the administrator's prescription regarding the passengers' health. However,  willing passengers must require fly-to-fly certificates when their medical conditions are severe, and they cannot travel without clearance. Similarly, passengers' medical certificates will considered valid only when their reports are not too old and range from 72 to 96 hours before the final trips.

How to obtain a medical certificate?

Passengers should at least know the procedures for obtaining their medical certificates for seamless travel. For a convenient journey, they are advised to follow the steps discussed to receive the medical certificate, which is examined mainly by the FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner.

• Visit the official page of the FAA MedXPress: https://medxpress.faa.gov/MedXpress/ for medical reports as per the airline's norms.
• Before filling out the form, you should accept it after reading the highlighted policy.
• Create a new account or login with existed user ID and password.
• After login to the accounts, you must complete the form using personal information such as name, email, age, requirements for medical certificates, and other necessary details.
• Immediately request a scheduled appointment with the Aviation Medical Examiner/AME, who is available at your nearest location.
• Further, you should carry past medical reports or documents while visiting the AME and tell them whether you still use any medications.
• AME will discuss all of your medical concerns and related medications and take you for medical examinations as required.

Once the medical examinations are over successfully and you meet the expectations, the FAA-designated AME will issue a valid medical certificate that can be used on any reputed airline for traveling. 

Do medical reports have any charges?

Yes, whenever you apply for FAA-designated medical certificates, you must submit a specific cost as per the policy. Usually, the cost of a medical certificate will vary from approximately $110 to $195 per passenger, depending on the health requirements and other factors. Also, the price for the medical certificate may increase when going in-depth with medical examinations, depending on the requirements. Passengers must visit the FAA's original websites to obtain complete details about original medical certificate fees.