The short version

  • Flying is generally considered fine in healthy pregnancies, but airlines set their own cut-offs.
  • Move, hydrate and wear your seatbelt under the bump.
  • Carry your maternity notes, and check your airline and insurer in advance.

For most healthy pregnancies, flying is considered safe, but the practicalities are worth getting right, and the rules are not the same everywhere. A little planning makes the journey much more comfortable.

Timing and paperwork

Airlines set their own limits, and many ask for a letter from your midwife or doctor confirming your due date and that you are fit to fly beyond a certain point, often in the later weeks. Always check your specific airline's policy and your travel insurance well before booking, since cut-off dates and requirements vary.

Staying comfortable in the air

  • Drink plenty of water, as cabin air is drying.
  • Get up and walk, and flex your ankles often, to keep circulation moving.
  • Wear the lap belt low, under your bump, across your hips.
  • Consider flight socks, and choose an aisle seat for easy moving about.

Hydrate, move often, and give yourself permission to take it slowly.

Bubba & Me tip

Keep your maternity notes in your hand luggage, not the hold. If anything comes up, they travel with you.

This is general information. Whether flying is right for you depends on your individual pregnancy, so confirm with your midwife or doctor, and always follow your airline's current rules.