Airline Advice: Flying While Pregnant
- Etihad Airways allow women to travel during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy without a medical certificate.
- At Emirates Airlines, traveling after the 36th week is not allowed, unless with special permission from the Medical Department of the airlines.
- Air Arabia allows travel until 35 weeks, if the expectant woman provides a medical certificate indicating the number of weeks of her pregnancy.
- Flydubai allows normal travel of expectant mothers until the end of 28 weeks. Travelling after 28 weeks is not allowed, unless with an official medical report sufficient to Flydubai.
Research airline policies for pregnant travelers before booking flights on routes to or from the UAE when you or one of your traveling party will be flying while pregnant. Take the right steps before your journey and with confidence. Always follow the advice of healthcare professionals before you travel and consult your doctor before booking your flights.
Top Tip: Fly When the Time is Right
If you intend to travel home to your country of origin to have your child, plan your pregnancy travel to allow you to safely reach your destination before your due date. If you are traveling to the UAE for a vacation or returning home for the birth of your child, ensure your flights are booked during the correct stage of your pregnancy, when air travel is permitted.
Advice for your Flight
It is increasingly common for pregnant women to book vacation flights. There is no evidence to suggest that flying in your third trimester increases the chances of early labour or your waters breaking. Residents in the UAE may be planning to fly to a different country for the birth of their child. Emiratis living abroad may return home during their pregnancy. Whatever the circumstances, make your flight as comfortable and safe as possible.
Wear a pair of compression socks: Ask your midwife for elastic compression socks for your flight. When pregnant, slower circulation increases the chance of blood clots, which can be minimized by wearing compression socks.
Take an aisle seat: If you can select an aisle seat before your flight, do so. If not, ask the flight staff if they can make some accommodations for you. The best option would be to get an aisle seat near the restroom. A bulkhead seat is also a smart choice for the legroom to keep the blood circulating.
Drink lots of water: You can never drink enough water when you are pregnant. Stay hydrated while waiting to get on the plane. And buy a large bottle of water to take on the plane with you.
Avoid lifting bags:When you arrive at the airport, staff and airline personnel are available to assist you at every stage of your journey. Alert your airline if you need assistance with your luggage or with traveling to your flight.
Tips from some of UAE’s top family bloggers
Helen Farmer, The Mothership:
- Pack snacks! You don’t know when the food will come out, so keep your blood sugar stable if you’re prone to feeling nauseous.
- Tell cabin crew you’re pregnant (you might get special treatment).
- Don’t forget your doctor’s note and another for the return journey.
- Avoid flying anywhere remote after the second trimester – making sure a clinic with adequate facilities is essential.
- Accept help – let someone do the heavy lifting of bags.
Amy Vogelaar, Love Parenting UAE:
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the flight and get up and empty your bladder frequently.
- Do the in-seat exercises to prevent blood clots and get up and walk every hour or so to keep your blood moving and reduce oedema or swelling.
- Ask your doctor about wearing compression flight socks or stockings. Also, stick to wearing loose, non-constrictive clothing during the flight.
Andrea Bailey, Beyond a Visit:
- Stay hydrated- water is the best so make sure you have plenty of it when travelling. Stay away from fizzy drinks!
- Buy an in-flight footrest – using an inflatable or hammock style footrest that you can attach to the seat in front of you will help circulation in the feet.
Flying While Pregnant with Emirates
If you are pregnant and plan to travel with Emirates once you have entered your 29th week of pregnancy, a medical certificate or letter signed by an appropriately qualified doctor or midwife is required.
If you present yourself for a flight without a valid medical certificate, you may not be accepted for travel if there is any doubt about your ability to complete the journey safely. Pregnant travelers should request a consultation with their doctor even if they are traveling during the period of pregnancy where airlines will accept expectant mothers on their flights.
Travel after the 36th week of gestation for single, uncomplicated pregnancies, and after the 32nd week of gestation for multiple, uncomplicated pregnancies will be permitted only after prior clearance from Emirates Medical Services. A medical information form (MEDIF) will need to be submitted by the traveler for clearance purposes.
Etihad Airways: Flying While Pregnant
During the first 28 weeks of pregnancy: pregnant women expecting one or multiple children can travel without a medical certificate.
Single pregnancy: From the beginning of the 29th week to the end of the 36th week, pregnant travelers will need to submit a medical certificate. From the beginning of the 37th week onwards, pregnant women will not be accepted for travel.
Multiple pregnancy: If you are traveling while pregnant from the beginning of the 29th week to the end of the 32nd week, you will need to submit a medical certificate. From the beginning of the 33rd week onwards: expectant mothers will not be accepted for travel.
Air Arabia allows travel until 35 weeks, if the expectant woman provides a medical certificate indicating the number of weeks of her pregnancy. After the 36 week, they are not allowed to travel.
Flydubai allows normal travel of expectant mothers until the end of 28 weeks. Travelling after 28 weeks is not allowed, unless with an official medical report sufficient to Fly Dubai. After the end of 36 weeks, travelling is not allowed.
Flying While Pregnant: Medical Certificate Requirements
If you have consulted your medical professional and discussed your plans to travel on a flight while pregnant, they may provide you with a medical certificate to present at the airline check-in desk.
The medical certificate should be issued and signed by the pregnant traveler’s doctor or, in some cases, attending midwife. Check your airline’s terms and conditions for the full outline of what to include. Typically, airlines require that the medical certificate should be:
- Written on a clinic / hospital letterhead and / or stamped by the doctor or attending midwife
- Valid for 3 weeks from the date of issue, provided it is within the gestation period which is considered acceptable for travel
- State if the pregnancy is single or multiple and that the guest is fit to fly
- State the number of weeks of pregnancy and the Expected Date of Delivery (EDD)
- For travel to UAE airports, the document should be easily understood and written in Arabic or English.
All information and guidance correct at the time of publication (October 2018). Always check with the appropriate airline or company before flying.
