Taking to the skies with baby on board? Lucky you! Whether it be for a babymoon or business, there are a host of things you need to know before doing any domestic (or international) plane travel when pregnant.
Each airline has its own set of rules detailing when you need medical clearance to fly, and you also need to make sure you take care of you and your precious cargo while you’re flying.
If you’re flying within Australia, you need to be familiar with the rules your airline of choice has in place for pregnant passengers. Here’s what you need to know.
QANTAS
The main point you need to remember is that if you’re flying with QANTAS after the 28-week pregnancy mark, you’ll need to have a certificate or letter from a registered medical practitioner or midwife that confirms:
- Your estimated date of delivery
- If you’re pregnant with one baby or multiples
- That your pregnancy is routine with no complications
If you do have pregnancy complications, you will need medical clearance to fly.
Flights of less than 4 hours duration
For routine pregnancies, you can travel up to the end of the 40th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 36th week for multiple pregnancies.
Flights of 4 hours duration or greater
For routine pregnancies, you can travel up to the end of the 36th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies (e.g. twins).
Make sure you check the latest advice on flying while pregnant with QANTAS.
Jetstar
After 28 weeks, you’ll need to carry a certificate or letter from a registered doctor or midwife, and it can’t be dated any earlier than 10 days before your flight. It has to state:
- Your approximate due date
- Whether it’s a single or multiple pregnancy
- That your pregnancy is complication-free
If you do have pregnancy complications, you’ll need medical clearance.
Flights of less than 4 hours duration
For routine pregnancies, you can travel up to the end of the 40th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 36th week for multiple pregnancies.
Flights of 4 hours duration or greater
For routine pregnancies, you can travel up to the end of the 36th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies (e.g. twins).
Extra travel notes:
Jetstar says that once you’re in your third trimester, you can’t sit in an exit row seat on any of its aircraft. This is because passengers in those seats may need to operate the heavy exit door in an emergency.
Check the latest travel advice on flying with Jetstar while pregnant.
Virgin Australia
Flying with Virgin Australia at 28 weeks pregnant or more will mean you’ll have to have a letter from your doctor or midwife that’s dated no more than 10 days before your flight, stating:
- Your estimated due date
- If you’re having one or more babies
- Your pregnancy is complication-free
- That you’re fit to fly for the length of the flight you have booked
Virgin Australia says it will consider each pregnancy and relevant medical conditions on a case-by-case basis.
Flights of less than 4 hours duration
For routine pregnancies, you can travel up to the end of the 40th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 36th week for multiple pregnancies.
Flights of 4 hours duration or greater
For routine pregnancies, you can travel up to the end of the 36th week for single pregnancies and the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies (e.g. twins).
It is also noted that you may not travel within the 48 hours after delivery (Normal Vaginal Delivery).
Make sure you check the latest advice on flying with Virgin while pregnant.
Rex Airlines
You’ll have to have completed ‘Rex Medical Certificate for Fitness to Fly’ signed by a medical practitioner and presented at the Rex check-in counter to travel. A copy of the completed form is also required to be given to the Flight Attendant upon boarding for each flight. It must include:
- If you’re having a single pregnancy (beyond the 36th week)
- If you’re having a multiple pregnancy (for any travel)
- That your pregnancy is not high-risk or is complication-free
- You are fit to fly for the flights you have booked
Also, pregnant passengers will not be permitted to be seated in an emergency exit row seat following the 24th week of pregnancy.
Make sure you check the latest advice on flying with Rex while pregnant.
Staying safe in the air
We asked obstetrician gynaecologist Dr Charlotte Elder about safe plane travelling when pregnant. Here are her top tips.
- Dring plenty of water
- Wear compression socks
- Carry your pregnancy test results
- Pack your medical history
Obstetrician gynaecologist Dr Charlotte Elder says pregnant women need to make sure they drink plenty of water when flying, and move around during the flight.
“In part that’s because the risk of deep vein thrombosis is higher in pregnant women and air travel will increase that risk as well,” Dr Elder explained to Mum’s Grapevine.
“Some people can also find that they get uncomfortable swelling when they’re in the air, so compression stockings are quite a useful thing to wear.”
She also says to be prepared with the necessary paperwork, in case you need medical attention at your destination.
“Make sure you’ve got a summary of your pregnancy that you’re taking with you, and information about test results or about your medical history so that if you do need to seek care while you’re away, you’ve got something with you.”
The most important step is to discuss your pregnancy plane travel plans with your doctor or midwife, so they can help you make informed choices.
Read next …
If you’re about to head off on a Babymoon or a quick trip to see the folks before baby comes along we’ve got a couple of other articles you might like to read next.
• 6 tips for flying while pregnant
• Rules for international plane travel during your third trimester
Ask another mum …
If you still have questions about flying during your pregnancy, there are hundreds of pregnant mums in our Due Date Facebook groups who are eager to help, all you have to is join a group and ask.
Click below and join your group today!
