GUIDE
Published on ·Updated on
Air travel is generally safe for pregnant people with uncomplicated pregnancies up to 36 weeks for domestic flights and 32-35 weeks for international flights.
ACOG considers occasional air travel safe for most pregnant people. The main considerations are timing, comfort, and knowing when medical conditions make flying inadvisable. Airline policies vary, so check with your carrier before booking.
Be prepared from day one
ACOG states that air travel is safe for most pregnant people with uncomplicated pregnancies. There is no evidence that flying causes harm to the fetus, triggers miscarriage, or induces preterm labor in normal pregnancies. The cabin is pressurized to an altitude of about 6,000-8,000 feet, which provides adequate oxygen for you and the baby.
The ideal window for air travel is the second trimester (weeks 14-28). First-trimester nausea and fatigue make flying uncomfortable, and the third trimester brings size-related discomfort and airline restrictions. That said, flying in the first or third trimester is not unsafe — it is just less comfortable.
If you are unsure whether flying is appropriate for your specific situation, discuss it at your next appointment. Your prenatal visit schedule includes regular check-ins where travel questions fit naturally.
| Airline / Region | Travel Allowed Until | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most domestic carriers (US) | Up to 36 weeks | No note needed before 36 weeks on most carriers. Policies may differ — check directly. |
| International carriers | Up to 32-36 weeks | Varies widely. Many require a medical certificate after 28-32 weeks. |
| British Airways | Up to 36 weeks (single) / 32 weeks (multiples) | Medical certificate required after 28 weeks. |
| Delta / United / American | No official cutoff | Recommend consulting provider. May request note near due date. |
| Southwest | No restrictions stated | Recommend consulting provider in final month. |
| Emirates / Qatar | Up to 36 weeks (single) / 32 weeks (multiples) | Medical certificate required after 29 weeks. |
Comfort and safety go hand in hand. Most of these tips — hydration, movement, compression stockings — also reduce your DVT risk.
Pregnancy already increases your risk of blood clots due to changes in clotting factors and blood flow. Long flights (over 4 hours) add additional risk because of prolonged immobility. The combination is worth taking seriously, even though the absolute risk remains low.
The most important precautions: walk the aisle every 1-2 hours, do seated ankle circles and calf pumps frequently, wear graduated compression stockings (available at most pharmacies), and stay hydrated. These simple measures significantly reduce DVT risk.
If you have additional risk factors for blood clots (personal or family history of DVT, BMI over 30, clotting disorder, or bedrest), talk to your provider before flying. They may recommend low-molecular-weight heparin for long flights.
These conditions may make air travel unsafe. Your provider will advise you based on your specific situation.
If traveling internationally while pregnant, research the medical facilities at your destination, check whether your health insurance covers you abroad, bring copies of your prenatal records, and know the location of the nearest hospital. Consider travel insurance that covers pregnancy-related complications.
Cosmic radiation exposure during flights is a common concern. A single flight exposes you to a very small amount of radiation — far below levels that would affect a pregnancy. Even frequent flyers would need to fly extensively (the equivalent of several hundred flights per year) to approach any threshold of concern.
The only group that should be aware of cumulative exposure is airline crew who fly daily. For occasional travelers, radiation from flying is not a concern during pregnancy.
Airport security scanners are also safe during pregnancy. Both millimeter wave scanners and older backscatter X-ray scanners emit radiation levels well below any threshold of concern. You can walk through with confidence, or request a pat-down if you prefer.
For other safety questions during pregnancy, see our pregnancy-safe medications guide for what you can take for travel-related discomfort, our Tylenol guide for headaches and body aches, and our hair dye guide for another common safety question. To stay comfortable on long flights, tips from our swollen feet guide can help with in-flight ankle and leg swelling.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your pregnancy.
