Do You Need to Be Vaccinated to Fly?
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Domestic Flights Within the US
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International Flights From the US
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International Flights to the US
You’re packed and ready to go, but before you print out that plane ticket, you might be wondering “Do I need to be vaccinated to fly?” The answer is: It depends. Whether or not you need to be fully vaccinated in order to board a plane depends on where you’re headed.
Regardless of the official rules, remember that the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) recommends that all flyers be fully vaccinated before traveling.
US citizens traveling on a domestic flight within the country do not need to be vaccinated or show proof of vaccination to fly.
If you’re flying from the US to a foreign country, vaccination requirements will vary based upon your destination.
For example, if you’re flying to Canada, you will need to show proof of vaccination before you board your flight.
To find out the vaccination rules for your destination, look up the country-specific page on the US State Department website. The “entry, exit, and visa requirements” section will have the information that you need.
What it means to be fully vaccinated can also vary by country. Many European countries will not consider travelers to be fully vaccinated if more than 270 days have passed since the last dose of their initial vaccination series, meaning that most travelers must have received a booster shot to be qualified as fully vaccinated.
Related: Where to Buy Legitimate N95 and KN95 Masks for Travel
All COVID-19 entry requirements for US citizens returning to the US have been dropped. US citizens do not need to be vaccinated for a flight to the US and will not be asked to show proof of vaccination.
However, foreign national air travelers to the United States must be fully vaccinated in order to enter the country. Non-citizens must show proof of vaccination status before boarding a plane to the US. There are limited exemptions to this policy, including for children, which can be found here.