TUI, Ryanair, British Airways & Jet2 issue warning as chickenpox cases on the rise - can I fly with virus?

Major airlines including TUI and Jet2 have issued advice as chickenpox cases are on the rise in the UK
Chelsie Sewell
By Chelsie Sewell
Published 23rd May 2023, 08:02 GMT
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British airlines have issued a warning as cases of chickenpox are on the rise across the UK. The common infection mainly affects children but is highly contagious which means airlines have strict policies on people flying with or after having had chicken pox.

The main symptoms of chickenpox include an itchy, spotty rash anywhere on the body - but the infection will reveal itself in three stages starting with small spots appearing, the spots then become blisters and the blisters then become scabs.

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According to the NHS website someone with chickenpox is most infectious from one to two days before the rash appears, until all the blisters have crusted over. This usually takes five to six days from the start of the rash

Major UK airlines including Jet2, Ryanair and Easyjet have issued advice ahead of the busy summer travel season. We have rounded-up up

Chickenpox is a viral infection that mostly affects children, although you can get it at any ageChickenpox is a viral infection that mostly affects children, although you can get it at any age
Chickenpox is a viral infection that mostly affects children, although you can get it at any age

easyJet

On its website easyJet’s policy states passengers are allowed to travel "seven days after the appearance of the last new spot".

The website states: "Your health and comfort on board the flight are important to us. If you’ve recently been unwell, you can read about some of the conditions you can fly with and those you can’t below. If your medical condition isn’t covered, or if you have any doubt about your fitness to fly, please seek advice and a fitness to fly certificate from a doctor before you travel.

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"We also recommend that you take out travel insurance before making a booking, in case any unexpected illness or event means you need to change your plans."

Tui

TUI states on its website: "If you’ve recently suffered from chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella or meningitis, there will be a recovery period before you’ll be able to travel with TUI. For chickenpox this is seven days after the last new spot appears."

Jet2

Jet2 says: "For the safety of all our customers, at least seven days must have elapsed since the first spots appeared, with no others forming, before we are able to consider carrying anyone with chicken pox.

"We also need a Fit to Fly certificate from your doctor to confirm this."

Ryanair

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