Flying While Pregnant: Airline and Country-Specific Policies

With so many different rules and regulations for flying while pregnant, the vast amount of information can get confusing and overwhelming. That’s why we have compiled the policies for many major airlines for flying while pregnant. Many of the airlines recommend seeing your midwife or doctor before flying to ensure you and your baby will be safe, and others require specific medical forms provided on their websites. Check out what your airline requires so you are prepared before you travel!

Air Canada

After the 36^th week of pregnancy, flying is prohibited.

Air France

Air France does not restrict travel for pregnant women. They do, however, recommend seeking your doctor’s opinion before traveling and avoiding travel after the start of your 37^th week of pregnancy.

Air Italy

If your due date is within 4 weeks of your return flight, or have complications with the pregnancy, or having multiples, a medical certificate from your physician issued within 7 days of your departure stating that you’re fit to travel and your due date is required.

Alitalia

If you are either in the last 4 weeks of your pregnancy, have complications with the pregnancy, or having multiples, a medical form on their website signed and stamped by your physician within 7 days of your trip is required. At the start of the 9^th month, a certificate from your doctor stating your due date is also required.

American Airlines

During the last 4 weeks of your pregnancy, a doctor’s certificate stating you are fit to fly is required.

China Southern Airlines

Less than 32 weeks into the pregnancy it is required to carry a medical certificate signed by your physician within 72 hours of the flight and sealed by the hospital. The certificate must include your name, due date, flight date, and that you are fit to fly. Between 32 to 36 weeks, travel is not allowed. If travel is necessary, however, you must fill out a clearance form during booking which can be obtained from the airline’s ticket counter. Pregnant women beyond 36 weeks, or with complications, or with an uncertain due date are not allowed to fly.

Delta Airlines

There are no restrictions or note required for pregnant flyers.British Airways

For women pregnant with one baby, flying is not allowed after the end of the 36^th week of pregnancy. For multiple babies, flying is restricted after the end of the 32^nd week. The airline recommends, but does not require, carrying a medical note from your midwife or doctor stating if your pregnancy is single or multiple, your expected due date, and that there are no complications.

EasyJet

For single pregnancies, women can travel up to the end of the 35^th week of pregnancy. For a multiple pregnancy, they can travel up to the end of the 32^nd week of pregnancy.

Eurowings

For uncomplicated pregnancies, women are permitted to fly through the end of the 36^th week of pregnancy. Women may be asked to present a maternity log which states they are fit to fly.

Lufthansa Group

For uncomplicated single pregnancies, women can fly until the end of the 36^th week of pregnancy without a medical note. For a multiple pregnancy, women are prohibited from flying after the end of the 28^th week. The airline recommends a medical note after the 28^th week for single pregnancies confirming that the pregnancy is progressing without complications, their expected due date, and that the woman is fit to fly.

Norwegian Air

4-2 weeks before your due date, the airline requires that your flight is no more than 4 hours and a medical certificate stating that you are fit to fly. For international flights, this certificate must be in English. Less than 2 weeks before your due date they do not allow flying.

Ryanair

For an uncomplicated pregnancy, women are required to carry a fit to fly letter from their midwife or doctor at and after 28^th weeks. Women with an uncomplicated single pregnancy cannot travel with Ryanair after the end of the 36^th week of pregnancy. For an uncomplicated multiple pregnancy, flying is prohibited after the end of the 32^nd week.

SAS Group

For single pregnancies 2 to 4 weeks before the due date, travel time must not exceed 4 hours. The airline also requires that your doctor fill out the SAS Medical Certificate available on their website no more than 10 days before your departure. At less than 2 weeks before your due date, they do not allow pregnant travelers. For a multiple pregnancy 12 to 8 weeks before the due date, travel time cannot exceed 4 hours. The Medical Certificate must be filled out by a doctor 10 days before departure. Less than 8 weeks before your due date, the airline prohibits travel.

Southwest Airlines

There are no restrictions or note required for pregnant flyers.

Turkish Airlines

For single pregnancies, a doctor’s note is required while traveling from 28 weeks- 35 weeks of pregnancy. For a multiple pregnancy, a doctor’s note is required from 28-31 weeks. The doctor’s note must be in English or Turkish and dated no more than 7 days before the flight. It must contain the doctor’s name, surname, diploma number, signature, and date. At 32 weeks, flying is prohibited for a multiple pregnancy. For a single pregnancy, flying is not allowed after 36 weeks.

United Airlines

At 36 weeks of pregnancy, they require an original and 2 copies of an obstetrician’s certificate, dated within 3 days of your flight that states that an exam was performed and you are fit to fly between those dates. Your due date must also be after the date of your final flight. The original certificate will be given to a United representative at check in and the copies will stay with you for reference during air travel.

Wizz Air

When traveling after your 28^th week of pregnancy, they require a certificate stating that you are fit to fly that is issued within 6 days of your flight. For single pregnancies, you can travel up to your 34^th week of pregnancy. If it is a multiple pregnancy, you can travel up to your 32^nd week of pregnancy.

Country Restrictions

Some countries do not allow non-national pregnant women after a certain point in the pregnancy to enter their country. Be sure to check with your local consulate to confirm the country-specific requirements

Malaysia

Pregnant women beyond 6 months cannot fly into the country.

https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/special-assistance/travelling-with-children.html

https://www.airfrance.it/IT/en/common/guidevoyageur/assistance/particuliere_femme_enceinte.htm

https://www.airitaly.com/en-en/beforetheflight/conditions.aspx

https://www.alitalia.com/en_it/fly-alitalia/organize-your-trip/moms-to-be.html https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/traveling-children.jsp

https://www.traveloka.com/en-sg/china-southern-airlines

https://www.delta.com/us/en/special-circumstances/overview https://www.britishairways.com/en-ca/information/travel-assistance/medical-conditions-and-pregnancy

https://www.easyjet.com/en/terms-and-conditions/medical-information

https://www.eurowings.com/en/information/news-help/faq/when-can-pregnant-women-fly.html

https://www.lufthansa.com/us/en/travelling-healthy

https://www.norwegian.com/en/travel-info/special-needs-assistance/flying-pregnant/