Riyadh Air Medical Test Requirements

(Unofficial Candidate Guide)

Before you can start flying with any airline, you must prove that you’re medically fit to work safely in the cabin or cockpit. Riyadh Air is no exception.

Like other carriers in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Air follows the rules of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and uses aviation medical examiners to check that staff are healthy enough to handle long hours, jet lag, emergency situations, and the physical demands of the job. General Authority of Civil Aviation+2Medical Fakeeh+2

This page gives an unofficial overview of the medical test process candidates can expect, especially for cabin crew, and how it fits into the hiring journey.

⚠️ Important:
This is not an official Riyadh Air or GACA document. Actual requirements and pass/fail decisions are made only by Riyadh Air, its approved medical providers, and GACA regulations. Nothing here replaces advice from a doctor.

1. Where the Medical Fits in the Hiring Process

For most Riyadh Air roles with safety responsibilities (especially cabin crew and pilots), the medical happens after you pass:

  1. Online screening

  2. Assessment day / interviews

Only successful candidates are sent for a full medical examination before receiving a final contract and relocation details. How 2 Become+1

If you do not meet the required medical standard, the airline cannot legally employ you in a safety-critical role.

2. Regulatory Background – GACA & Aviation Medicals

Saudi Arabia’s GACA sets the minimum medical standards for flight crew and other licensed personnel in GACAR Part 67 and related documents. General Authority of Civil Aviation+1

Key points from the regulatory side:

In practice, Riyadh Air will send you to a GACA-approved aviation medical centre that regularly issues medical clearances for cockpit and cabin crew. Medical Fakeeh+1

3. What the Cabin Crew Medical Test Usually Includes

Riyadh Air does not publish a full checklist for candidates, but its cabin-crew guides state that applicants must be “medically fit with good vision and able to pass a full aviation medical.” Rihlat Travel News+1

A standard cabin crew aviation medical (based on GACA expectations and international practice) usually checks:

3.1 Medical History & Questionnaire

You’ll complete a detailed form covering: Heathrow Medical+2Medical Fakeeh+2

  • Past illnesses, surgeries and hospitalisations

  • Any chronic conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart problems, epilepsy, psychiatric history, etc.)

  • Current medications

  • Allergies

  • Smoking, alcohol and previous substance use

✅ Honesty is critical. Aviation medical clinics specifically warn candidates to disclose complete medical history, and hiding information can cause serious problems later. Heathrow Medical+1

3.2 Physical Examination

A doctor will perform a general health check, which often includes: lot.com+2Aviation Job Search+2

  • Height and weight (sometimes BMI is calculated)

  • Blood pressure and pulse

  • Heart and lung examination

  • Abdomen and general organ check

  • Basic neurological check (reflexes, coordination)

  • Spine and posture review

The goal is to make sure you can stand, walk, bend, reach and work in a confined, moving space for long periods, which is specifically listed in Riyadh Air cabin-crew requirement summaries. Cabin Crew Wings

3.3 Vision & Colour Vision

Cabin crew must be able to read safety instructions, notices and instruments clearly.

Typical checks include: Aviation Job Search+2lot.com+2

  • Distance and near vision (with and without glasses/contact lenses)

  • Colour-vision test (to identify warning lights, safety labels, etc.)

In many cases:

  • Wearing glasses or contact lenses is allowed, as long as your corrected vision meets the standard.

  • You may be asked to bring a spare pair of glasses when flying.

Exact numerical limits are defined by the aviation medical standards, not publicly by Riyadh Air.

3.4 Hearing Test

You must be able to hear:

  • PA announcements

  • Safety commands

  • Passenger calls and alarms

A typical cabin-crew medical includes a hearing test, sometimes with an audiogram in a sound booth. lot.com+2Heathrow Medical+2

3.5 Blood & Urine Tests

Standard lab tests are used to screen for underlying health issues and some infectious diseases. Common checks include: lot.com+2Aviation Job Search+2

  • Haemoglobin and blood count (anaemia, infection markers)

  • Blood sugar (screening for diabetes)

  • Liver and kidney function

  • Cholesterol and lipids (sometimes)

  • Urinalysis (kidney issues, infection, blood, glucose)

Some aviation medical centres also perform drug and alcohol screening as part of their standard package for crew. Medical Fakeeh+1

3.6 Cardiovascular & Respiratory Fitness

Because of long flights, pressure changes, and emergency duties, your heart and lungs must tolerate stress.

The exam may include: Heathrow Medical+2Aviation Job Search+2

  • Blood pressure checks (sometimes repeated)

  • Heart auscultation (listening with a stethoscope)

  • Resting ECG (electrocardiogram), especially if you’re older or have risk factors

  • Basic lung function checks; sometimes spirometry in specialised centres

Serious or uncontrolled heart and lung conditions (for example, uncontrolled hypertension, significant arrhythmias, severe asthma) can be disqualifying or require specialist review, according to aviation medical guidance used for GACA Class 1 standards. Wingman+1

3.7 Musculoskeletal & Mobility

Cabin crew need to:

  • Reach overhead bins

  • Lift and move safety equipment

  • Assist passengers and potentially evacuate an aircraft

Medical exams therefore check: lot.com+2Heathrow Medical+2

  • Spine and posture

  • Joint mobility (shoulders, knees, hips, ankles)

  • History of serious back problems, slipped discs, or major joint surgery

Severe movement limitations may be incompatible with cabin-crew duties for safety reasons.

3.8 Mental Health & Psychological Fitness

While not always a full psychological test, aviation medicals often include questions about: Aviation Job Search+1

  • Past or current treatment for depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric conditions

  • Use of psychiatric medications

  • Substance-misuse history

Some conditions can be compatible with flying if stable, well-controlled and declared. Others may require additional specialist assessment under GACA rules. Final decisions rest with the aviation medical examiner and regulator.

3.9 Vaccinations & Infectious Disease

Occupational health for crew often includes: Medical Fakeeh+1

  • Checking vaccination status (for example hepatitis, tetanus and others as per local policy)

  • Ensuring you are safe to work in a high-travel, global environment

Exact vaccination requirements can vary by airline and by health regulations at the time.

4. Conditions That Usually Need Extra Review

Every case is individual, but under aviation medical standards (including GACA Class 1 guidance), some conditions typically trigger extra scrutiny or may be incompatible with safety-critical roles: Wingman+2General Authority of Civil Aviation+2

  • Uncontrolled diabetes or frequent low blood sugar episodes

  • Epilepsy or seizure history (especially recent or untreated)

  • Serious heart disease or major arrhythmias

  • Severe asthma or chronic lung disease that is not well-controlled

  • Significant psychiatric illness that affects judgment, reliability or stability

  • Major orthopaedic limitations affecting mobility or strength

  • Severe visual or hearing loss not correctable to required standards

Only a designated aviation medical examiner and GACA can decide your fitness. If you have a history of any serious condition, it’s wise to discuss it with your own doctor before investing heavily in cabin-crew recruitment.

5. Pilot vs Cabin Crew Medical Requirements

For pilots, GACA clearly requires a Class 1 medical certificate issued under Part 67, with strict health criteria and regular renewals. Wingman+1

For cabin crew:

For ground and corporate roles, the medical may be simpler (a basic pre-employment check) unless the job has safety or operational duties.

6. How to Prepare for Your Riyadh Air Medical

You cannot “cheat” the exam – and you shouldn’t try. But you can make the process smoother and more comfortable:

  • Bring your glasses or contact lenses (and your prescription, if possible).

  • Prepare a list of your medications with doses.

  • Take copies of any important medical reports (surgeries, chronic illnesses, scans) – aviation clinics often ask for a GP or clinic summary. Heathrow Medical

  • Get a good night’s sleep and eat normally unless told otherwise.

  • Avoid heavy caffeine, extreme exercise or smoking right before the exam, as these can affect blood pressure readings.

  • Wear comfortable clothing for physical checks and blood pressure.

Most importantly: answer every question honestly. Doctors are there to protect you, your future colleagues and your passengers.

7. If You’re Worried About a Specific Health Issue

If you already know you have a medical condition (for example asthma, past surgery, or mental-health treatment):

  1. Talk to your own doctor first.

  2. Ask whether flying and irregular schedules are likely to be compatible with your condition.

  3. Collect any letters or reports that explain your stability and current treatment.

  4. Be ready to discuss this openly with the aviation medical examiner.

Sometimes, conditions that seem serious can still be accepted with limitations or extra follow-up; other times, they may genuinely prevent you from working in a safety-critical role. Only a doctor with aviation authority can decide.

8. Key Takeaways

  • Riyadh Air requires cabin crew and other safety-critical staff to pass a full aviation medical in line with GACA standards. Rihlat Travel News+2General Authority of Civil Aviation+2

  • The medical typically includes:

    • Detailed medical history

    • Physical exam

    • Vision and hearing tests

    • Blood and urine tests

    • Cardiovascular and respiratory checks

    • Musculoskeletal and mobility assessment

    • Basic mental-health screening and sometimes drug & alcohol testing Medical Fakeeh+3Aviation Job Search+3lot.com+3

  • The goal is not to punish candidates, but to make sure you can work safely and sustainably in a demanding aviation environment.

  • Always rely on official Riyadh Air communication and GACA-approved medical centres for final information and decisions.