Can You Fly With Flu or COVID?

You’ve got a flight booked, and now you’re feeling unwell. Should you travel anyway?

There’s no single UK law stopping you from flying with flu or COVID. But that doesn’t mean it’s always the right call, for you, or for everyone else on the plane.

Flying With Flu

Is it allowed? Generally yes: airlines don’t usually stop you boarding for flu symptoms alone, unless you appear seriously unwell.

Should you? Consider carefully:

• Cabin air is recirculated, and close proximity to other passengers raises the risk of spreading flu to others, including people who are more vulnerable than you.
• Flying with a fever can make you feel considerably worse, due to dehydration and cabin pressure changes.
• If you have a chest infection alongside flu, changes in cabin pressure can be uncomfortable or risky.
  
  

If you decide to fly anyway:

• Wear a mask, particularly during boarding and in tight spaces.
• Stay hydrated, cabin air is very dry.
• Consider travel insurance implications if you’re delaying or cancelling due to illness.
  
  

Flying With COVID-19

Is it allowed? UK rules requiring isolation or testing for domestic and most international travel have been lifted. But some countries or airlines may still have their own entry requirements, so always check before you fly.

Should you? The same practical concerns apply as with flu, plus:

• Even mild COVID can spread easily in close quarters like an aircraft cabin.
• If you’re due to test positive, check your destination country’s current entry rules, since some may still require proof of a negative test or specific documentation.
• Consider whether you could be denied entry, or need to be isolated, at your destination.
• If you’re in a high risk group yourself, such as being immunosuppressed, it’s worth speaking to your GP or pharmacist about whether you’re eligible for specific antiviral treatment before you travel.
  
  

When You Definitely Shouldn’t Fly

• High fever that isn’t controlled with medication
• Severe breathlessness or chest pain
• Significant dehydration
• Any symptoms that would make an 8+ hour flight genuinely unsafe for you
  
  

If in doubt, contact your GP, NHS 111, or your travel insurer before deciding.

A Few Practical Tips If You Do Travel While Unwell

• Check your travel insurance policy, illness related delays or cancellations may be covered, but read the terms carefully.
• Carry basic medication: paracetamol or ibuprofen, and any prescribed treatment.
• Stay hydrated throughout the flight, more than you’d normally think to.
• Consider informing the cabin crew if you’re unwell, so they can accommodate you if needed.

   

   

This article is for general information only. It’s not personal medical advice. If you’re unwell and due to travel, and you’re unsure whether it’s safe to fly, please speak to your GP, NHS 111, or your pharmacist before your trip. Book consultation with us