thread: Flying and pregnant. When do airline restrictions kick in?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    Flying and pregnant. When do airline restrictions kick in?

    At what gestation do airlines require medical certificates or refuse to fly you? Looking for info on domestic and international airlines.

    ta

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Aug 2013
    Canberra, ACT
    132

    I'm fairly certain 28 weeks onwards, but if you "look" too pregnant you can't prove how far you are without one anyway. I personally would get one just in case, then if they ask for one you have it already :-)

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Mar 2006
    4,542

    Always call and ask each individual airline you are thinking of flying with because they are all different.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Aug 2010
    Sydney Aus
    1,164

    All airlines are different, so best to check the airlines you may be traveling. Last pregnancy I flew regularly for work up to 34weeks, domestic.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Perth,WA
    2,942

    I flew Singapore airlines when I was over 30 weeks pregnant (can't remember exactly) had the medical cert to say it was a low risk preg and I was never asked for it. No one seemed to bat an eyelid TBH. They probably just felt sorry for me that I was so massive and travelling with a toddler in a confined space for 5 hours!

    I'd also been on tiger airlines when I was about 25 weeks with no probs either.

    Just check websites and have a certificate at the ready.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    i wasn't expecting restrictions to kick in so early. looked up qantas policy (posting for if someone does a search later).

    need to plan a holiday soon then!

    If you are pregnant, the following precautions must be observed.
    For travel after the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy: you need to carry a certificate or letter from a registered medical practitioner or registered midwife confirming:
    the estimated date of delivery
    whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy; and
    that there are no complications with your pregnancy
    For flights of four hours or more:
    if you are having no complications with your pregnancy you can travel up to the end of the 36th week of your pregnancy for single pregnancies or up to the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies (for example, twins)
    medical clearance is required if you are having complications with your pregnancy
    For flights of less than four hours:
    if you are having no complications with your pregnancy you can travel up to the end of the 40th week of your pregnancy for single pregnancies and up to the end of the 36th week for multiple pregnancies (for example, twins)
    Medical clearance is required if you are having complications with your pregnancy
    If you wish to travel within seven days after delivery, medical clearance is required. Infants cannot travel for 48 hours after delivery and need medical clearance to travel between three and seven days after delivery.
    Please Note:
    We do not represent that travel is safe for you at any particular point during your pregnancy. You must seek advice from your own medical practitioner prior to your flight. The periods referred to above are only our minimum requirements
    Some countries place limitations on the entry of non-national pregnant women. Check with the relevant embassy or consulate before you travel to confirm any further limitations.

  7. #7
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  8. #8
    Registered User

    Oct 2007
    Middle Victoria
    8,924

    Ta!

    i don't have a registered care provider so that makes it a bit trickier to get any medical clearance.

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Sep 2009
    Darwin
    679

    Flying and pregnant. When do airline restrictions kick in?

    I flew domestic at 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant from darwin to Newcastle I had no problems at all. I'm not sure about international though.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    May 2011
    Adelaide
    747

    I flew at 35 weeks (and regularly until then) and had no problems even though I was huge! I checked with virgin and jetstar and you don't need a certificate clearing you until 36 weeks. Not sure about international airlines. Just Google flying while pregnant and the airline or do a search on their website to find out the restrictions for that specific airline.

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    Central Coast NSW
    2,160

    I have a friend who was refused boarding (at the gate) at about 32 weeks. She had been flying regularly up until then (Syd to Gold Coast) with no mention of restrictions. They would not board her until she had a letter from her Dr, who luckily faxed one to the airport ASAP. I'm unsure of the airline - Virgin or Jetstar.

  12. #12
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Melbourne
    1,521

    I'm flying on the weekend and at 37 with weeks I could only fly with Qantas or Jetstar. I also need a letter from my Ob. Must remember to get that tomorrow at my appointment.