Taking your bump on an overseas jaunt? Then you’ll need our handy guide to just what you need to know when flying beyond our shores.
If you’re heading in or out of Australia using an international carrier, you need to make sure you comply with the rules of pregnancy plane travel – many of which are similar to the rules for domestic airline travel while pregnant. And remember, you’ll also need to fit within the rules if you’re catching domestic flights while in other countries.
Here’s what you need to know about each international plane travel when pregnant. And remember to check each airline before you book incase they have updated their policies since we wrote this post.
Travelling on Air Canada when pregnant
- You cannot fly on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express after 36 weeks pregnant.
Visit Air Canada for more information.
Travelling on Air China when pregnant
- Between 32 and 35 weeks pregnant, you must have a medical certificate that has been issued by a doctor within seven days of departure.
- You cannot fly after 35 weeks pregnant.
Visit Air China for more information.
Travelling on Air New Zealand when pregnant
- For single pregnancy with a medical certificate:
– Flights over four hours, up to 37 weeks
– Flights under four hours, up to 41 weeks - For a multiple, uncomplicated pregnancy:
– Flights over four hours, up to 33 weeks
– Flights under four hours, up to 37 weeks
Visit Air New Zealand for more information.
Travelling on American Airways when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 36 weeks pregnant.
- You cannot travel after 39 weeks pregnant on domestic flights over 5 hours.
- Clearance from a special assistance coordinator is required after 36 pregnant on International flights.
Visit American Airways for more information.
Travelling on British Airways when pregnant
- It is recommended you carry a medical certificate (including a letter and pregnancy record).
- You cannot fly after 36 weeks pregnant.
- Mums of multiples cannot travel fly after 32 weeks pregnant.
Visit British Airways for more information.
Travelling on Cathay Pacific when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 28 weeks pregnant.
- You cannot travel after 36 weeks pregnant.
- Mums of multiples cannot travel after 32 weeks pregnant.
Visit Cathay Pacific for more information.
Travelling on Emirates when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 28 weeks pregnant.
- You must obtain clearance from Emirates Medical Services:
– After the 36th week of gestation for single, uncomplicated pregnancies.
– After the 32nd week of gestation for multiple, uncomplicated pregnancies.
Visit Emirates for more information.
Travelling on Etihad Airways when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 29 weeks pregnant.
- You cannot travel after 37 weeks pregnant.
- Mums of multiples cannot travel after 33 weeks pregnant.
Visit Etihad Airways for more information.
Travelling on Fiji Airways when pregnant
- You can travel up to 36 weeks pregnant with a medical certificate.
- You cannot fly after 36 weeks pregnant.
Visit Fiji Airways for more information.
Travelling on Garuda when pregnant
- Flying up to 34 weeks pregnant (inclusive) requires a medical certificate issued no less than 30 days from date of travel.
- You cannot fly after 35 weeks pregnant.
Visit Garuda Indonesia for more information.
Travelling on Japan Airlines when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 28 weeks pregnant that has been written within 7-10 days prior to travel.
- You cannot travel after 36 weeks pregnant.
- Mums of multiples cannot travel after 32 weeks pregnant.
Visit Japan Airlines for more information.
Travelling on Jetstar when pregnant
- From 28 weeks pregnant, you must carry a medical certificate dated no more than 10 days prior to travel.
- For single pregnancy:
– Flights over four hours, up to 37 weeks
– Flights under four hours, up to 41 weeks - For a multiple, uncomplicated pregnancy:
– Flights over four hours, up to 33 weeks
– Flights under four hours, up to 37 weeks
Visit Jetstar for more information.
Travelling on Lufthansa when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 28 weeks pregnant.
- You cannot fly after 37 weeks pregnant
- Mums of multiples cannot travel after 29 weeks pregnant.
Visit Lufthansa for more information.
Travelling on Malaysia Airlines when pregnant
- You cannot fly after 36 weeks pregnant.
- Mums of multiples cannot travel fly after 32 weeks.
- Non-Malaysian women who are more than six months pregnant are not permitted to fly into the country.
Visit Malaysia Airlines for more information.
Travelling on QANTAS when pregnant
- For single pregnancy with a medical certificate:
– Flights over four hours, up to 37 weeks
– Flights under four hours, up to 41 weeks - For a multiple, uncomplicated pregnancy:
– Flights over four hours, up to 33 weeks
– Flights under four hours, up to 37 weeks
Visit QANTAS for more information.
Travelling on Qatar Airways when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 28 weeks pregnant.
- You cannot travel after 36 weeks pregnant.
- Mums of multiples cannot travel after 32 weeks pregnant.
Visit Qatar Airways for more information.
Travelling on Royal Brunei when pregnant
- From 28 weeks pregnant, you must carry a medical certificate dated no more than 7 days prior to travel.
- You cannot travel after 36 weeks pregnant.
Visit Royal Brunei for more information.
Travelling on Singapore Airlines when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 29 weeks pregnant.
- You cannot fly after 36 weeks pregnant.
- Mums of multiples cannot travel fly after 32 weeks.
Visit Singapore Airlines for more information.
Travelling on Thai Airways when pregnant
- You must carry a medical certificate after 28 weeks pregnant, have multiplies or a complicated pregnancy.
- You cannot travel after 34 weeks pregnant on flights longer than four hours.
- You cannot travel after 36 weeks pregnant.
Visit Thai Airways for more information.
Travelling on United when pregnant
- You cannot fly after 36 weeks without a medical certificate.
- After 36 weeks pregnant you need the original and two copies of an obstetrician’s certificate.
Visit United for more information.
Travelling on Virgin Australia when pregnant
- For single pregnancy with a medical certificate dated no more than 10 days prior to travel:
– Flights over four hours, up to 37 weeks
– Flights under four hours, up to 41 weeks - For a multiple, uncomplicated pregnancy:
– Flights over four hours, up to 33 weeks
– Flights under four hours, up to 37 weeks
Visit Virgin Australia for more information.
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
• Pregnancy and domestic plane travel: what you need to know
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!
