Travelling During Pregnancy

I love to travel, even during pregnancy. 

However, if you are going to travel by air, 

there are certain rules you need to follow.

I had compiled most of the airlines' rules here, 
but please reconfirm with latest info.

~Start packing & Happy travelling~

Aeroflot

• Doctor's certificate required if traveling within four weeks of due date. Certificate must state that the passenger has been examined and must be dated within seven days of flight departure.

Aeromexico

 

• Suggests pregnant passengers at all stages of pregnancy should seek the advice of a medical professional prior to travel.
• If travelling after the seventh month of pregnancy a medical certificate is required stating the passenger is fit to travel. A letter freeing Aeromexico from any liability must also be signed by the pregnant passenger.

American Airlines

• Medical certificate required if travelling within four weeks of due date (American Airlines further specifies that this rule applies for a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy).
• Travel is not allowed within seven days before/after delivery for flights that are less than five hours in duration within the United States. Exceptions may be made if the passenger obtains a medical certificate and is cleared by American Airlines' Special Assistance Coordinator.
• For international travel (or over major bodies of water, as in travel to Hawaii), American Airlines advises against travel within a month of the due date unless she is examined and obtains a medical certificate within 48 hours of departure stating that she is fit to travel. Approval from American Airlines' Special Assistance Coordinator is required within ten days of the due date and seven days after delivery.

AirAsia 

Pregnant Passengers: It is the duty of pregnant passengers to advise of the progress of their pregnancy at the point of booking of seat and at the check-in counter. Carriage of pregnant passengers is subject to the following conditions:

(a)	Pregnancy up to 27 weeks (inclusive): accepted without a doctor's certificate subject to the passenger signing a Limited Liability Statement.
(b)	Pregnancy between 28 weeks to 34 weeks (inclusive): passenger shall produce a doctor's certificate confirming the number of weeks of pregnancy and that she is fit to travel. Certificate shall have been issued not more than seven (7) days before the scheduled flight departure date. The passenger will be required to sign a Limited Liability Statement.
(c)	Pregnancy 35 weeks and above: AirAsia will refuse carriage

Air Canada

• No travel restrictions up to 36 weeks for passengers with a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy.
• Travel within the last month of pregnancy is contingent on obtaining a medical certificate stating that a pregnant passenger is fit to travel.

Air India 

• For pregnancies free of complications, pregnant travellers may fly without restrictions up to their 32nd week.
• Pregnant passengers traveling after the 32nd week of pregnancy up to 35 weeks must obtain a medical certificate stating she is fit for air travel. 

Air New Zealand 

• No travel restrictions for pregnant travelers with complication-free pregnancies up to the eighth month of pregnancy.
• Medical clearance is required for pregnant travelers flying internationally within the last four weeks of pregnancy.
• Medical clearance is required for pregnant passengers carrying multiples.
• Medical clearance is required for pregnant travelers flying domestically within the last two weeks of pregnancy.

Alaska Airlines

 

• No restrictions for pregnant travelers.

Alitalia

• No travel restrictions for the first eight months of pregnancy.
• If travelling within the last four weeks of pregnancy, expecting multiple births, or having a complicated pregnancy, medical clearance is required. Completion of a Medical Information Form, MEDIF, prior to travel and signed by both the passenger and doctor is required. The form is available for download from Alitalia's site.

British Airways

• No travel restrictions for pregnant travelers up to the 36th week of pregnancy except for pregnant passengers expecting multiple births, where travel restrictions begin after the 32nd week.
• British Airways requests that passengers traveling beyond their seventh month of pregnancy bring along a letter from their medical professional stating that the pregnancy is free from complications, and the expected due date. It should also state that the pregnant passenger is fit to travel.

British Midland

• No travel restrictions up to the 30th week of pregnancy.
• A doctor's certificate is required for pregnant travelers in their 30th to 36th week of pregnancy. Travel after the 36th week of pregnancy is not normally allowed (32 weeks if carrying multiples).

Cathay Pacific 

• Cathay Pacific accepts pregnant passengers with uncomplicated pregnancies (single pregnancies) up to their 36th week. Pregnant passengers anticipating a multiple birth are accepted up to their 32nd week.
• A doctor's or midwife's certificate may be required. Cathay advises pregnant passengers to carry a medical certificate after 28 weeks.
• Cathay Pacific advises against heavy lifting during pregnancy, so particular care should be exercised regarding luggage.

China Airlines

• Pregnant passengers are not permitted to fly after the 32nd week of pregnancy.
• China Airlines advises pregnant passengers that some countries may have restrictions placed on pregnant travellers in regards to entering foreign countries. Pregnant travellers should verify with the embassy or consulate of a country should there be any question of being allowed to enter a country.

Continental Airlines

 

• Medical certificate required if traveling within seven days of due date. Certificate must state that the passenger has been examined and is fit to travel.

Delta Airlines

 

• No restrictions for pregnant travelers.
• Delta Airlines does suggest referring to a medical professional to make sure that pregnant passengers travelling within one month of due date are fit to travel.

Easyjet

• No restrictions for pregnant passengers traveling up to the 27th week of pregnancy.
• Doctor's certificate required if travelling between the 28th and 35th week of pregnancy. Certificate must be issued by a doctor or midwife, and must be dated within 5 days of the outbound travel date.
• No travel is permitted beyond the 36th week of pregnancy.

Japan Airlines 

• Japan Airlines asks all pregnant passengers to advise them at the time that the booking is completed.
• Travel after 36 weeks of pregnancy, or if a pregnant passenger has previously had a multiple birth means that a medical certificate will be required. The certificate must be signed by the attending physician dated within seven days of departure stating that she is fit to travel, along with the due date and any other considerations that may important inflight.
• At 36 weeks, a consent form is also required, and for pregnant passengers expecting multiples, or previous premature births.
• For travel within two weeks of the anticipated due date pregnant passengers may only travel if accompanied by an obstetrician.

Jetstar

Domestic Travel:

• you have a normal pregnancy , no medical clearance is required.
• you have a complicated pregnancy , medical clearance is required.
• you have an uncomplicated multiple pregnancy , medical clearance is not required provided travel is completed by the end of the 36 th week of pregnancy. There must be 28 days between the date travel is completed and the date on which you are due to give birth. You must carry a letter from a registered/licensed medical practitioner stating that your pregnancy is progressing normally and specifying the date on which you expect to give birth.

International Carriage:

• you have a normal pregnancy, all of your travel must be completed by the end of the 36th week of your pregnancy. There must be 28 days between the date travel is completed and the date on which you are due to give birth. You must also carry a letter from a registered/licensed medical practitioner stating that your pregnancy is progressing normally, and specifying the date on which you expect to give birth.
• you have a complicated pregnancy, medical clearance is required.
• you have an uncomplicated multiple pregnancy, medical clearance is not required provided travel is completed by the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy. There must be 56 days between the date your travel is completed and the date on which you are due to give birth. You must carry a letter from a registered/licensed medical practitioner stating that your pregnancy is progressing normally, and specifying the date on which you are due to give birth.

KLM

• Suggests consulting a medical profession prior to embarking on air travel at any time during pregnancy.
• KLM advises that pregnant passengers should not travel after 36 weeks of pregnancy, or after the 34th week of pregnancy if expecting a multiple birth.
• For Air France, travel beyond 36 weeks requires a medical certificate.

Korean Air 

• There are no travel restrictions for pregnant passengers up to their eighth month of pregnancy unless their care provider advises against it.
• Travelling beyond the eighth month of pregnancy means that a medical certificate must be provided. The certificate must be signed by the attending physician dated within 72 hours of departure stating that she is fit to travel, along with the due date and any other considerations that may important inflight.
• After the eighth month of pregnancy two sets of Declaration of Indemnity must also be completed at check-in.
• Advises against travelling past 37 weeks.

Lufthansa

• No restrictions for pregnant passengers during the first eight months of pregnancy (to 36 weeks) provided the pregnancy is considered free of complications.
• A certificate of exemption for a flight after the 36th week is required and must pregnancy be obtained from Lufthansa’s medical service. Also required for a complicated pregnancy, such as carrying multiples, or premature contractions.
• Lufthansa advises against travel if a pregnant woman is expecting more than one baby, or has cardiovascular health problems.
• Suggests consulting a medical professional prior to travel at any time during pregnancy.
• Because the threat of thrombosis (blood clots) is increased during pregnancy, Lufthansa suggests wearing compression stockings and elevating feet during flight.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS)

If you are travelling during pregnancy, you will require a letter from a doctor or midwife confirming good health and expected date of delivery should be made available for verification beyond the 28th week of pregnancy. Medical clearance is required for pregnant women if delivery is expected in less than 5 weeks after the departure date or if any complications in delivery may be expected.

The following are cases not recommended for women to travel:

• After 32nd week of pregnancy for those with multiple pregnancies (e.g. twins).
• After 35th week of pregnancy for international flights.
• After 36th week of pregnancy for domestic sectors.
• Until 7 days after delivery.

Mexicana

• Pregnant passengers within three months of due date are required to present a medical certificate. Certificate must state that the passenger has been examined and is fit to travel. Certificate must be dated within seven days of departure.
• A limited liability form must also be signed by the pregnant passenger.

Philippine Airlines

• Pregnant travellers will be accepted until 35 weeks of pregnancy.
• Pregnant travellers are required to complete an Expectant Mothers Information Sheet (available at Philippine Airlines Ticket Offices). The information sheet is valid for seven days from the date of issue. It is also available for download online Expectant Mothers Information Sheet

Qantas

• Pregnant passengers only require medical clearance if experiencing a pregnancy with complications.
• After the 36th week of pregnancy (for single pregnancies), international travel is not permitted.
• After the 32nd week of pregnancy (for multiple pregnancies), international travel is not permitted.
• No restrictions for domestic travel, but medical clearance is required to travel past the 36th week for uncomplicated multiple pregnancy.
• Qantas advises pregnant passengers that some countries may have restrictions placed on pregnant travelers in regards to entering foreign countries. Pregnant travellers should verify with the embassy or consulate of a country should there be any question of being allowed to enter a country.

Ryanair

• No travel restrictions for pregnant travelers up to the 28th week of pregnancy. Ryanair may ask a pregnant traveler to sign an indemnity to confirm that pregnancy is not past the 28th week.
• From the 28th to 36th week of pregnancy a doctor's certificate stating that the passenger is fit to travel and the expected due date is required.
• Pregnant women within their last four weeks of pregnancy (last eight weeks if carrying multiples) are not accepted for travel under any circumstances.

SAS

• No restrictions during first eight months of pregnancy.
• A medical information form, MEDIF, is required for pregnant women traveling between two to four weeks of expected delivery date, and travel must be approved by the SAS Medical Department. Travel during this time of pregnancy must be limited to four hours per flight on SAS.
• Within two weeks of due date, pregnant passengers are not permitted to travel.

Singapore Airlines (SIA)

• Singapore Airlines does not accept pregnant passengers beyond the 35th week of pregnancy for a single, uncomplicated pregnancy, and 32 weeks for an uncomplicated pregnancy of multiples.
• Pregnant passengers must also obtain a medical certificate, issued by your doctor (including fitness for travel, weeks pregnant, and estimated due date). Reservations may request the medical certification at the time of booking.
• If the booking and departure dates are more than one month apart, a new certificate should be issued (by your attending gynaecologist) not more than 3 days before departure. This certificate will have to be presented at check-in when requested.
• Singapore Airlines advises pregnant passengers that some countries may have restrictions placed on pregnant travellers in regards to entering foreign countries. Pregnant travellers should verify with the embassy or consulate of a country should there be any question of being allowed to enter a country.

Southwest Airlines

• Suggests pregnant passengers at all stages of pregnancy should seek the advice of a medical professional prior to travel.
• Pregnant passengers may not be permitted to sit in the emergency exit row depending on their physical capabilities.
• Recommends not travelling within 14 days of due date. 

South African Airways

• Passengers who are beyond the 35th week of pregnancy will not be accepted for travel on international flights without a doctor's certificate. Travel with a doctor's certificate is also subject to the approval of South African Airways medical officials.
• Passengers who are beyond the 36th week of pregnancy will not be accepted for travel on domestic flights without a doctor's certificate. Travel with a doctor's certificate is also subject to the approval of South African Airways medical officials.
• A doctor's certificate is also required for any high risk/complicated pregnancies regardless of stage of pregnancy (and cleared by the airline's medical desk).

Tiger Airways

• Pregnant women must have completed their journey in full by the 35th week of pregnancy.
• Flying is not permitted following the 35th week.
• A medical certificate is required to confirm that the passenger is fit to travel between the 30th and 35th week.
• Passengers in this period of their pregnancy must contact their Call Centre to arrange such bookings.

United Airlines

 

• Pregnant passengers traveling within a month of the due date must obtain a medical certificate dated within 72 hours of departure stating that she is fit to travel.

US Airways

 

• Doctor's certificate required if travelling within seven days of due date. Certificate must state that the passenger has been examined and is fit to travel. Certificate must be dated within 72 hours of flight departure.

Virgin Atlantic

• Travel is permitted without restrictions until the 28th week of pregnancy provided that the pregnancy is free from complications.
• Virgin Atlantic asks that their Special Assistance department be informed of pregnancy so that they can supply appropriate inflight health advice.
• Between the 28th and 36th weeks of pregnancy a doctor's or midwife's certificate is required. The certificate must state that the passenger is safe for travel and the expected due date (32 weeks if carrying multiples in an uncomplicated pregnancy).
• Beyond the 36th week of pregnancy, travel is only permitted for medical/compassionate reasons and the pregnant passenger is required to be accompanied by a medical escort. This travel is subject to the approval of a Virgin Atlantic doctor.

Bon Voyage!