Airline requirements

TUI: pregnancy, illness and fit to fly rules

What TUI actually requires — pregnancy cut-off weeks, certificate rules, infectious illness waiting periods and medical cancellations. From their own published policy.

The short answer. TUI carries an uncomplicated single pregnancy to the end of the 36th week and a multiple pregnancy to the end of the 32nd week. TUI requires a fit to fly letter from week 29 of pregnancy.

Pregnancy rules

RequirementTUI
Single pregnancy — last week carriedEnd of week 36
Multiple pregnancy — last week carriedEnd of week 32
Letter required fromWeek 29
How recently the letter must be datedno fixed window published — date it as close to travel as possible

From the beginning of the 29th week TUI requires a certificate stating whether the pregnancy is single or multiple, the number of weeks of pregnancy, the expected date of delivery, and confirmation that the passenger is fit to fly. A certificate is also required earlier if there have been complications in the first 28 weeks. TUI asks passengers travelling in this period to notify its customer service team.

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 TUI 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

7 days after the last new spot appears, and TUI requires a fitness to fly certificate from a doctor if you have recently recovered.

The critical detail is which day you count from. TUI counts from the last new spot, not the first one. Chickenpox produces spots in crops over several days, so the airline’s clock can start well after the NHS clock for returning to school. Families are routinely turned away because they counted from the wrong day.

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 TUI 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 TUI 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 TUI?

TUI carries an uncomplicated single pregnancy up to the end of the 36th week, and a multiple pregnancy up to the end of 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 TUI?

Yes, from week 29. From the beginning of the 29th week TUI requires a certificate stating whether the pregnancy is single or multiple, the number of weeks of pregnancy, the expected date of delivery, and confirmation that the passenger is fit to fly. A certificate is also required earlier if there have been complications in the first 28 weeks. TUI asks passengers travelling in this period to notify its customer service team.

How recently must the TUI letter be dated?

It must be no fixed window published — date it as close to travel as possible. Getting the letter too early is a common and expensive mistake — if it falls outside the window you will need a second one.

Can you fly with chickenpox on TUI?

Not until 7 days after the last new spot appeared. A doctor's letter confirming you are no longer infectious is also required.

What if I need to cancel a TUI 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.

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 TUI?

A GMC-registered UK GP issues the letter in the format TUI asks for, and can complete their own form where they have one. Same day on weekdays.

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Reviewed by a GMC-registered GP. Full refund if a certificate cannot be issued on clinical grounds.