When can you not fly when pregnant?

Generally, women are not allowed to travel by air after 36 weeks for domestic travel, and after 28 to 35 weeks for international travel. The decision on whether to travel and how far to travel at any time during pregnancy should be a joint decision between you and your healthcare provider or midwife.



Most commercial airlines in 2026 allow pregnant women to fly until the end of their 36th week (for a single pregnancy) or the end of their 32nd week (for multiples). After this point, the risk of going into labor mid-flight is considered too high, and airlines will generally refuse boarding. However, many carriers require a medical certificate or "fit to fly" letter from a doctor once you pass the 28th week of pregnancy. This letter should confirm the due date and state that there are no complications. Even if the airline allows it, most doctors advise against long-haul travel in the third trimester due to the increased risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). For 2026 travelers, the "sweet spot" for flying is the second trimester (weeks 14–27), as morning sickness has usually subsided and mobility is still relatively high. Always check the specific "Expectant Mother" policy on your airline's website, as some international carriers have more conservative cut-off dates.

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During a healthy pregnancy, occasional air travel is almost always safe. Most airlines allow you to fly domestically until about 36 weeks of pregnancy. Your ob-gyn can provide proof of your due date if you need it. If you are planning an international flight, the cut-off for traveling may be earlier.

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Another reason the aisle seat is superior for pregnant travelers is that it's crucial to get up and walk around. Blood clots are a risk for all air travelers, but that risk increases with pregnant travelers. Walking around can help the blood flow and lessen the chances of a blood clot while flying.

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But one woman was pregnant for 375 days. When Beulah Hunter's baby girl, Penny Diana, was finally born on the 21st of February in 1945, she was almost 100 days overdue. Although this is the longest pregnancy ever recorded, pregnancies of 42 weeks, which is around ten months, are relatively common.

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Woman sets Guinness World Record with 17-month-long pregnancy. Beijing, 18 August (BelTA - People's Daily) A woman from China's central Hunan province recently set a Guinness World Record with her 17-month-long and counting pregnancy, local media reported. The woman, named Wang Shi, became pregnant last February.

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Drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of dehydration. Keeping up your fluid intake will also reduce the risk of DVT. If the flight is smooth, walk up and down the aisles every half hour. If the flight has turbulence, stay in your seat, but flex and extend your ankles frequently.

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“The pilots also declare an emergency and request air traffic control to give priority to land in an airport that is close to the destination and divert the aircraft there,” says Bubb. “The goal is to land safely and immediately find professional medical care for the passenger.”

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Your baby's health care provider may use these terms to describe your baby's birth: Late preterm: Your baby is born between 34 and 36 completed weeks of pregnancy. Moderately preterm: Your baby is born between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy. Very preterm: Your baby is born at less than 32 weeks of pregnancy.

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