COVID-19 Fit to Fly frequently asked questions

ZAVA’s Fit to Fly kit uses the PCR (RT-PCR method) swab test, which is the same test used by the NHS and Public Health England. Test kits are CE marked and all samples are analysed in a UKAS accredited laboratory. The test is widely accepted in EU countries.

Our lab partner Southwest Pathology Services (part of the Synlab Group) has verified the sensitivity of the tests at 99.04% and specificity of 100%. So in a group of 1,000 people with SARS-CoV-2 virus, about ten of them will be given a negative result - meaning the test did not detect the presence of the virus. But 990 people will accurately be told they’re positive and the virus was present at the time the test was taken. Out of 1,000 people who don’t have the infection, all of them will correctly be given a negative result with this test.

Yes. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you can use our COVID-19 Fit to Fly test to check if you are positive for COVID-19. If you test positive, you will need to follow government guidelines and self isolate. You will not be issued a Fit to Fly certificate or be allowed to fly.

Currently, you still need a Fit to Fly certificate as evidence that you have tested negative for COVID-19. This applies whether you have been vaccinated or not.

Whilst there has been talk of vaccination passports that may provide exemption from PCR testing, this has not been confirmed. The best thing to do is check with your airline and review the travel guidelines set by your destination country.

Yes, you can get a Fit to Fly certificate if you are pregnant and test negative for COVID-19.

Check with your airline and destination county for up-to-date guidelines on travel for under 5s. ZAVA’s Fit to Fly test can be used for children of any age in line with government guidance.

No. You can only use this test kit to get a Fit to Fly certificate before your trip. It is not suitable for day 2 and day 8 testing.

For up to date information relating to your destination country, visit the Foreign Travel Advice pages on Gov.uk.

Your destination may have regulations in place to restrict incoming travellers. Always check guidance before travel.

You can order multiple COVID-19 Fit to Fly test kits. We do however require anyone over 16 to create their own ZAVA account to activate their test kit. This will allow them to access their result securely and receive their certificate.

No, you don’t need ID to buy your test kit. However, you will need to provide your full name exactly as it appears in your passport. That’s because your Fit to Fly certificate will be issued in the name provided and it needs to match your passport details. On the day you take your test sample, you will first need to activate the test kit. For activation, you will need to provide your passport number.

If the name on your ZAVA account does not match your passport details and you need to amend it, we reserve the right to ask you for ID to verify your identity.

Next Day Delivery: You’ll get your test kit delivered the next day providing you placed your order before 4pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

Next Day Express Delivery: You’ll get your test kit delivered the next day before 1pm providing you placed your order before 4pm Monday to Friday (this excludes bank holidays and costs an additional £3.99 or £7.99 for a Saturday delivery).

We recommend ordering your COVID-19 Fit to Fly test kit at least 7 working days before your flight. You will need to wait until the deadline to take your test sample. The deadline depends on your travel destination – usually 72 hours or 96 hours ahead of your flight. Your order will be sent out with Royal Mail for next day delivery as standard. If you place your order on a weekend or bank holiday, your test kit will be posted the next working day.

Contact ZAVA’s Customer Support team on 020 3588 0292 as soon as possible. Lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

If you’ve forgotten to activate your test kit, but have your test kit number (the 8 digit number on the barcode of your test kit beginning with the letter “P”), you may still be able to activate it after you drop off your sample.

Please try to activate your test kit immediately and contact our Customer Support team to let us know you’ve done so.

You will find your 8 digit test kit barcode number on the receipt card provided when you drop off your sample. If you don’t have your test kit number or can’t activate your kit online, contact our Customer Support team on 020 3588 0292. Lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Please contact our Customer Support team on 020 3588 0292. If you have not yet dropped off your test for analysis, please do not do so as we may be able to issue you another test kit.

Our Customer Support team will be able to advise you on what to do in this situation. Lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

A contaminated test might occur if you drop your sample, spill liquid on it or use it on the wrong person etc.

There is no way to tell for certain whether your test has been ruined or contaminated until our partner lab has analysed the sample. You can order a replacement test if you are flying soon and want to make sure.

If you need more support, you can contact our Customer Support team on 020 3588 0292 to see how we can help you. Lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Studies by our partner laboratories have shown samples are likely to remain stable in moderate conditions for up to 7 days. Our drop-off pharmacies keep your sample in a temperature-controlled environment. The 36 hour turnaround time means your test sample will remain stable for this period.

Anyone over the age of 11 must take their swab sample themselves. You cannot ask another person to do this for you unless they are a trained healthcare professional.

In line with government guidance on COVID-19 testing:

• children under 12 must have their samples collected by their guardian
• children aged 12-17 must be supervised by their guardian when taking their test
• Adults aged 18+ should collect their own sample

Unfortunately we cannot guarantee the turnaround time outside of the cut-off times displayed on the website. If you missed your drop-off, you can still return your completed test(s) but these will not be collected until the following working day and your results will be delayed by 24 hours.

Our 36 hour turnaround time only applies to drop-offs made before 4pm Monday to Saturday, excluding bank holidays (although most of our partner pharmacies shut later). Please check your chosen pharmacy’s opening times in advance of any drop-off.

You can send someone else to drop off your sample if you can’t get to the drop-off location yourself. They will need to collect your drop-off confirmation card as proof of return.

If you’re not able to get to a drop-off location or arrange for someone else to return it, you won’t be able to use our service.

We are working to increase our number of locations in the future and hope you can use our service then.

You will need to drop your sample off before 4pm Monday to Saturday.

If you arrive at a drop-off location and the store is closed when it should be open, please contact our Customer Support team on 020 3588 0292. Lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Currently we are unable to offer this service. However this may be available in the future. We will update our website if there are any changes to our service.

You should get an email within 36 hours of dropping off your test, to let you know your results are in. View your results in your online ZAVA patient account.

If you test negative for COVID-19: Download your test results and certificate from your online ZAVA patient account.

We’ll email you to let you know when your results are in. Your certificate will be ready to download straight away. Results should be available within 36 hours of dropping off your test sample.

If your test is lost, please call our Customer Support team on 020 3588 0292 to see if we can issue you a replacement test in time for your flight. Lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

ZAVA does not accept any responsibility or liability for any costs arising from any delay, disruption or cancellation of your travel plans directly or indirectly caused by our Fit to Fly service. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions. Please contact our Customer Support team on 020 3588 0292 if you have not received your results in the expected timeframe. Lines are open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Test results should be available within 36 hours of drop-off. However, we cannot guarantee these turnaround times and ZAVA is not responsible for any failures of, or delays caused by, our partners, laboratory, or any third party courier service in delivering your sample collection kit to our partner laboratory.

If you have not been in contact with this person for 2 weeks before taking your test, you are still fit to travel.

If you live with or have been in close contact with the person in your travel group, you won’t be able to travel. You must isolate immediately and follow government guidance. (Please note, guidelines may change so please always check the government website.)

No. A large percent of COVID-19 patients don’t display symptoms. Therefore you won't be able to travel and must isolate immediately and follow government guidance.

Speak to your airline as soon as you can. If you are able to get another flight within the window provided by the airline or destination country, you will be able to travel on your original certificate. If this is not possible, speak to your airline as soon as you can to identify whether you can use your existing Fit to Fly certificate.

You will need to follow regulations set by the country you’re in. If you test positive for COVID-19 while abroad, you may not be able to travel until you can present a negative PCR test result.

Speak to your airline as soon as you can to identify whether your flight is rescheduled and whether you can use your existing Fit to Fly certificate.

No. You will need to arrange new tests as per government guidelines.

Yes. Face masks are in place as part of government guidance to protect yourself and others from the virus, so you must always wear one where requested, whether you have a certificate or not.