For most healthy pregnancies, flying is safe up to week 36. Here's what you need to know before you book.
Flying while pregnant raises a lot of questions, and a lot of unsolicited opinions. The good news is that for most healthy pregnancies, air travel is perfectly safe, and millions of women fly without incident every year. What matters is knowing the rules, understanding the real risks, and preparing correctly before you get to the gate. Here's everything you need to know.
Air travel is generally safe in uncomplicated pregnancies up to 36 weeks for a single baby and up to 32 weeks for a multiple pregnancy, according to the RCOG and ACOG.
Verified June 2026: The policies below are based on verified information as of 08/06/2026. Always confirm directly with your carrier before booking.
What the Fit to Fly letter must include: your estimated due date, confirmation that the pregnancy is uncomplicated, and that you are medically fit to travel. Ryanair requires the letter to be dated within two weeks of the flight; Jet2 requires it within seven days of the outbound flight and 16 days of the return date.
For twin or higher-order pregnancies, the cut-off is consistently earlier — most airlines set it at week 32. Factor your return flight date into your planning, not just the outbound leg.
Cut-off weeks and Fit to Fly letter requirements by carrier. Verified 08/06/2026, confirm with your carrier before booking.
| Airline | IATA Code | Single pregnancy cut-off | Multiple pregnancy cut-off | Fit to fly letter required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | FR | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | From week 28, dated within 2 weeks of departure |
| easyJet | U2 | End of week 35 | End of week 32 | Not mandatory, but recommended from week 28 |
| British Airways | BA | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | From week 28 |
| Wizz Air | W6 | End of week 34 | End of week 32 | From week 28 |
| Jet2 | LS | End of week 34 | End of week 32 | From week 28, dated within 7 days of departure |
| Aer Lingus | EI | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | From week 28 |
| TUI | BY | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | From week 28, dated no earlier than 14 days before departure |
| Virgin Atlantic | VS | End of week 36 | End of week 32 | From week 28 |
Your doctor or midwife may advise against flying if any of the following apply to you:
DVT is the most significant risk when flying pregnant. ACOG data shows that flights over four hours roughly double the general DVT risk, while pregnancy itself raises a woman's DVT risk five to ten times compared to non-pregnant women. That combination puts pregnant travellers in a higher-risk category — though absolute risk remains low for most healthy pregnancies.
For short-haul flights under four hours, the RCOG advises no specific additional measures beyond normal movement and hydration.
If you have additional risk factors — previous DVT, thrombophilia, obesity, or limited mobility — your doctor may recommend low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) injections for travel days. Discuss this well before your flight.
Take these precautions on any long-haul or medium-haul flight during pregnancy.
Walk the aisle for a few minutes every hour. Flex and extend your ankles and wiggle your toes when seated.
Drink water regularly throughout the flight. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which contribute to dehydration.
Wear below-the-knee or full-length graduated compression stockings. Speak to your midwife or doctor first, as they are not suitable for everyone.
Wear loose, breathable clothing. Keep the space under your seat clear so your legs have room to stretch.
Cabin pressure and oxygen: For uncomplicated pregnancies, the cabin pressure equivalent of 1,200-2,400 metres altitude poses no risk to the foetus. If you have severe anaemia, the reduced oxygen level may be relevant — speak to your doctor before flying.
Cosmic radiation: The RCOG confirms that occasional flights do not expose you or your baby to a clinically significant level of radiation. Note that many airlines do not permit cabin crew to fly while pregnant due to separate occupational exposure guidelines.
Cabin humidity: Aircraft cabins are dry. Drink water before boarding and throughout the flight to stay ahead of dehydration.
Gas expansion: Gases in the body expand slightly at altitude. Avoid carbonated drinks and gassy foods — such as broccoli or beans — in the hours before flying to prevent discomfort.
Between weeks 13 and 27, the risk of miscarriage has dropped, morning sickness typically eases, and the risk of preterm labour is at its lowest. Most doctors and airlines agree this is the most suitable time to travel.
Even before you board a plane, pregnancy alone increases DVT risk significantly. Combined with the additional risk from a long-haul flight, compression stockings and regular movement are not optional extras — they are genuine precautions.
Many pregnant travellers focus on their gestational age at departure and overlook the return leg. If your return flight pushes you past your airline's cut-off week, you may not be permitted to board — regardless of how straightforward your outward journey was.
Carry the following in your hand luggage on every flight during pregnancy.
Pregnancy is not typically classified as a pre-existing condition, so standard travel insurance policies generally apply, but not all policies cover pregnancy complications, so confirm yours does before you travel.
Check that your policy covers emergency obstetric care, premature birth costs, and repatriation. If you have a pregnancy-related condition such as gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia, declare it to your insurer. Being refused boarding due to normal pregnancy is generally not a covered reason for trip cancellation.
NaTHNaC (TravelHealthPro) advises making a full declaration of all medical conditions, including pregnancy, to your insurer.
Obtain clearance from your doctor or midwife, ideally 4-6 weeks before international travel.
Check the cut-off week and fit to fly requirements for your specific carrier before purchasing tickets.
Factor in both the outbound and return flight dates when calculating your gestational age — not just the outbound leg.
If you will be 28 weeks or more at the time of travel, obtain a Fit to Fly letter confirming your due date, that the pregnancy is uncomplicated, and that you are medically fit to travel.
Some countries carry risks from mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, malaria, and dengue that are particularly serious in pregnancy.
Confirm the policy covers pregnancy complications and emergency obstetric care before you travel.
Identify the nearest maternity or emergency facilities at your destination before departure.
Most airlines require a Fit to Fly letter from week 28 onwards. The letter must confirm your estimated due date, that your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and that you are medically fit to fly. Requirements on how recently it must be dated vary by carrier — Ryanair requires it within two weeks of departure, Jet2 within seven days. Always check your specific airline's policy before booking.
Among major European carriers as of June 2026, Wizz Air and Jet2 have the earliest cut-offs for single pregnancies, both at the end of week 34. For multiple pregnancies, the cut-off is week 32 at most carriers. easyJet allows single-pregnancy travel up to the end of week 35.
Flying does not cause miscarriage. For most healthy pregnancies, the first trimester carries no specific flight-related risk beyond the discomfort of nausea and fatigue. If you have had recent bleeding or are at risk of ectopic pregnancy, speak to your doctor before booking.
The second trimester (weeks 13-27) is widely regarded as the most suitable time to fly. Morning sickness typically eases, energy levels tend to be higher, and the risk of preterm labour is lower during this period.
The information in this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute medical advice. It draws on guidance from authoritative European and international sources including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and travel health guidance from NaTHNaC (TravelHealthPro). Airline policy information was verified as of 08/06/2026. Always consult your doctor, midwife, or healthcare provider before making any decisions about flying during pregnancy, and contact your airline directly for the most up-to-date policy information before booking.
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