Is it safe to fly during pregnancy?
Healthy pregnant women may be allowed to travel until the completion of the 32nd week of pregnancy.
At the time of booking, if the pregnancy is more than 32 weeks and normal delivery is anticipated, the pregnant woman should be allowed to travel till the completion of the 35th week of pregnancy ie at least 5 weeks before the expected date of delivery. The pregnant woman should obtain a medical certificate from the concerned obstetrician doctor stating that she is fit to travel.
If more than 1 month elapses between the date of booking and departure then another certificate should be obtained which is not more than 3 days old from the date of departure.
Multiple and problematic pregnancy cases will not be accepted after the 32nd week if:
Polygamy means a twin in the womb with three children.
Problematic pregnancy refers to cases where the mother has had difficulty and problems during the previous delivery.
Upon completion of 35 weeks of pregnancy, the passenger can be allowed to travel only after filling the MEDIF form with the authority of Executive Director-Medical Services on an urgent or compassionate basis.
Newborn Baby
The infant must be 14 days of age to travel by air.
For example, for life-saving treatment of a newborn, mother and child may be allowed to travel on the basis of medical certificate received from the obstetrician and the pediatrician doctor before 14 days. Such passengers should be accompanied by a doctor during the journey, indemnity is required to be taken from the passenger in such cases as in the MEDA case passengers.
Airline Pregnant Travel Policy
| The following guidelines are for women who have a normal pregnancy and no previous history of premature labor. |
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| Ryanair Pregnant Travel Policy: If you’re between 28 and 36 weeks, get your doctor to fill out this fit to fly form. |
| Swiss International Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy: No flying after 36 weeks. After 28 weeks, a doctor’s note and compression stockings are recommended. |
| Alaska Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy – No restrictions on flying; no medical certification required. |
| Air Canada | Air Canada Rouge | Air Canada Express Pregnant Travel Policy – Travel permitted up to and including the 36th week. |
| Air France Pregnant Travel Policy – Medical clearance is not required, but advised. The airline advises pregnant passengers should avoid flying in the final month of pregnancy. |
| Allegiant Air Pregnant Travel Policy – If pregnant passenger’s due date is within 45 days of travel, the airline requires a note from a physician. |
| All Nippon Airways Pregnant Travel Policy – A medical information form is required if traveling within 28 days of the expected due date; within 14 days of the expected due date must be accompanied by a physician. The certificate must be obtained within 7 days of the departure date. |
| American Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy – Travel is not permitted for 7 days before the delivery date on domestic flights under 5 hours. Travel is not permitted for 30 days before delivery date on international flights or flights over water unless special approval from a physician and the airline’s special assistance coordinator is received. |
| British Airways Pregnant Travel Policy – In addition to pregnancy medical records, a medical letter or certificate from doctor or midwife confirming delivery date and no complications is required for travelers who are beyond 28 weeks pregnant. Travel is allowed up to the 36th week for single pregnancies and 32 weeks for multiples. |
| Cathay Pacific Pregnant Travel Policy – Medical clearance is required for passengers beyond the 28th week of pregnancy; passengers may not fly past the 36th week for single pregnancies and 32 weeks for multiples. Passengers with complicated pregnancies must complete the airline’s MEDA form and submit it no later than 48 hours prior to planned departure. |
| Delta Air Lines Pregnant Travel Policy – No restrictions on flying; no medical certification required. |
| Emirates Pregnant Travel Policy – A medical certificate attesting to a healthy pregnancy is required for those who have entered the 29th week of pregnancy. Travel after the 36th week for single uncomplicated pregnancies and 32 weeks for multiples uncomplicated pregnancy is only allowed after prior clearance from Emirates Medical Services. |
| Hawaiian Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy – Pregnant passengers with no medical complications can fly as long as it is not within 7 days of the due date. Pregnant passengers who are in poor health or have complications may not be permitted to board. For pregnant passengers who wish to fly within 7 days of the due dates within Hawaii need a medical certificate. Pregnant passengers traveling between Hawaii and North America or internationally within 30 days of their due dates need to be examined by an obstetrician within 48 hours of departure. |
| Japan Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy – In addition to pregnancy medical records, a medical letter or certificate from doctor or midwife confirming delivery date and no complications is required for travelers who are beyond 28 weeks pregnant. Travel is allowed up to the 36th week for single pregnancies and 32 weeks for multiples. |
| JetBlue Airways Pregnant Travel Policy– Passengers with expected delivery dates within seven days of travel are prohibited from flying unless passengers have a doctor’s certificate dated no more than 72 hours prior to departure stating the doctor has examined the patient and found the passenger fit to fly. |
| Lufthansa Pregnant Travel Policy – Passengers can fly until the 36th week for single pregnancies and until the 28th week for multiples. The airline recommends a medical certificate for passengers beyond the 28th week of the pregnancies. |
| Qantas Airline Pregnant Travel Policy – Pregnant fliers need a medical certificate or letter from a physician or midwife after the 28th week and at any point for complicated pregnancies. For flights less than 4 hours, can travel up until the 40th week for single pregnancies and the 36th week for multiples. For flights longer than 4 hours, can travel until the end of the 36th week for single pregnancies and end of the 32nd week for multiples. |
| Singapore Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy – Health certificates are required for fliers between the 29th and 36th weeks of pregnancy for uncomplicated single pregnancies and 29th and 32nd weeks for uncomplicated multiple pregnancies. Travel beyond the 36th week for single pregnancies and beyond the 32nd week for multiples is not permitted. |
| Southwest Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy – Recommends against air travel beginning at the 38th week of pregnancy. |
| Spirit Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy – Pregnant passengers in their 8th month of pregnancy are advised to be examined by a physician to ensure it is safe to travel. |
| United Airlines Pregnant Travel Policy – A medical certificate and 2 copies are required for passengers at or after 36 weeks of pregnancy. The letter must be dated within 72 hours prior to flight departure. |
| Virgin America Pregnant Travel Policy – After the 28th week, a doctor’s permission is required. Passengers can travel up to the end of the 36th week for single pregnancies and up to the end of the 32nd week for multiples. Passengers with complicated pregnancies should contact the airline’s Special Assistance team. Passengers wishing to fly after the cutoff dates can only do so for urgent medical or compassionate reasons if approved by the airline’s medical advisors; if approved, a medical attendant must accompany the passenger. |
