Some passengers need medical clearance before they travel, either through the MEDIF form or a medical certificate. This confirms the passenger is fit to fly and lets us arrange any assistance or medical requirements they need.
Overview
- Any passenger with a medical condition on the List of Conditions must obtain special clearance before they can board.
- Medical clearance or the MEDIF authorizes boarding for passengers who need special assistance, and confirms special services that require extra validation, such as wheelchair use.
- This applies to every route operated by LATAM. LATAM does not provide medical care during the flight.
- Children (CHD) who need medical clearance to board cannot travel as an Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR).
- The medical certificate or MEDIF must be issued no more than 10 days before the first flight of the itinerary departs. It also covers the return flight, as long as the passenger's condition has not changed.
Any contagious illness needs medical clearance stating that the passenger is past the period of contagion risk. Without that confirmation the passenger cannot board, even if they are under treatment and have filed a MEDIF. Contagious illnesses are those that spread easily and quickly, such as influenza, chickenpox, smallpox, measles, rubella, tuberculosis, meningitis, whooping cough and diphtheria.
Insulin-dependent passengers do not need medical clearance to board. They do need a medical certificate confirming their condition so they can use syringes on board.
Passengers diagnosed with epilepsy do not need medical clearance for the condition alone, even when they travel with an SVAN service dog. However, if they report an epileptic or other seizure in the 48 hours before the flight, they cannot travel. In that case they can reschedule their flight as described in Ticket changes > Commercial exceptions > Unexpected travel issues.
MEDIF
You can view and download the MEDIF form.
The MEDIF is a standard form that records the passenger's medical background. LATAM's medical team reviews it, assesses the passenger's condition and issues the recommendations needed for their wellbeing and for the safety of the operation.
- Part 1: completed by the passenger or the travel manager.
- Part 2: completed by the treating physician.
If the passenger submits a medical certificate from their treating physician, it must include at least the same information the MEDIF asks for. Among other details, it has to state:
- That the passenger is cleared to fly.
- Whether they need a companion and, if so, whether that companion must be a health professional.
- Whether they need any special equipment or conditions during the trip, such as medical devices.
- The medication they take and any other support they may need.
The medical certificate goes through the same submission and review process with LATAM's medical team as the MEDIF form.
How to request it
- The travel manager checks the List of Conditions to see whether the passenger's condition needs to be reviewed by LATAM's medical team.
- Request medical clearance at least 48 hours before the flight departs. To submit the MEDIF, create a case, complete the fields, select “Quiero hacer una solicitud” (I want to make a request) and choose “Documentación para viajar” (Travel documentation). With less notice we can't guarantee response times.
- Send the MEDIF or medical certificate within those deadlines to ssee_medif@sac.latam.com.
- LATAM's medical team reviews the documents and replies by email.
- To board, the passenger shows the medical certificate or MEDIF they emailed, along with the authorization LATAM sent back.
If boarding is not authorized, the LATAM agent who received the request contacts the travel manager or the passenger to explain why. The LATAM physician may also set conditions for boarding, such as requiring the passenger to travel with a responsible adult who is physically and mentally able to assist them.
List of conditions
These conditions require medical clearance through the MEDIF form or a medical certificate:
| Condition | Information to provide |
|---|---|
| Cancer of any type | Stage of the illness, current treatment, whether the passenger is stable enough to fly, and any special support needed, such as oxygen or traveling with a nurse. |
| Oxygen needed during the flight | Flow rate required, related illness, how stable the condition is, battery life, any additional needs and the equipment model. |
| Contagious illnesses | Conditions such as chickenpox, measles, tuberculosis or pneumonia that are active or were diagnosed within 15 days of the flight. Include treatment and how stable the condition is. |
| Surgery within the past 15 days | Diagnosis, the procedure performed, any special needs and whether the passenger takes medication in flight, such as blood thinners. |
| Mental health conditions or advanced neurodegenerative disease | Bipolar disorder, psychosis, panic attacks, acute depression, manic-depressive psychosis, advanced Alzheimer's, advanced multiple sclerosis and others. Include treatment, stability and whether a companion is needed. |
| Heart conditions | Heart attack, heart failure, unstable angina or arrhythmia, malformations, recent surgery, angioplasty, pacemakers or ablations. Applies with a diagnosis or treatment in the past 30 days, an invasive procedure or test, or the use of blood thinners. |
| Lung conditions | A recent diagnosis, a need for oxygen or blood thinners, or a procedure or hospital stay in the past 15 days. For example: pulmonary embolism, thromboembolism, recent pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, COPD, hemothorax, pulmonary hypertension and bronchiectasis. |
| Gastrointestinal conditions | A recent diagnosis, or a procedure or hospital stay in the past 15 days. |
| Brain conditions | Cancer, infarction, stroke or other recently diagnosed conditions that required a procedure or hospital stay in the past 15 days. |
| Dental conditions | Extractions or root canals performed within 48 hours of the flight. |
| Newborns | Passengers up to 7 days old. |
| Postpartum passengers | Passengers within 7 days of giving birth. |
| High-risk pregnancies | For example, placental abruption, suspected miscarriage or other conditions that could affect the safety of the trip. |
| Ear surgery | Performed in the past 30 days. |
| Multiple trauma injuries | Multiple fractures or lower-limb fractures requiring a cast or external fixator, sustained within 30 days of the flight. |
| Clotting disorders | — |
| Scuba diving | Done within 72 hours of the flight. |
Swipe the table sideways to see all the information.
Any other recent medical condition that involves organ failure or a risk of a serious event in flight also has to be reviewed through medical clearance.