Posts Tagged ‘air travel restrictions’
Travel Restrictions During Pregnancy
The majority of airlines impose some sort of travel restriction or requirement on women who are pregnant. Traveling during pregnancy should be planned carefully and you should always consult your physician in advance to make sure that it is safe for you and your unborn to travel. Your physician can also explain what to do in the event of an emergency while away from home. A little advance planning and preparation will give you great peace of mind.
In order to protect your safety as well as their liability, many airlines require women who are more than 36 weeks pregnant to provide a physician’s clearance to travel. However, the restrictions vary widely amongst airlines, so we’ve included a chart below that will help you sort through the maze of requirements imposed by domestic airlines. Note that although some airlines have no restrictions, you should always consult your physician if traveling in the final stages of pregnancy.
|
Airline |
Requirements |
| AirTran Airways | For travel within 30 days of due date you must provide a Doctor’s certification dated within 72 hours of flight. |
| Alaska/Horizon Airlines | No Restrictions |
| American Airlines | Medical certificate required for travel within 4 weeks of due date. Travel within 7 days (domestic under 5 hours) and 10 days (International) requires AA Special Assistance Coordinator clearance. |
| Continental Airlines | Travel within 7 days of due date requires Doctor’s certification. |
| Delta/Northwest Airlines | No Restrictions |
| Frontier Airlines | No Restrictions |
| Go! Airlines | Travel within 7 days of due date requires a Doctor’s certification obtained within 72 hours of flight. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Travel within 7 days of due date requires a Doctor’s certification obtained within 72 hours of flight. |
| JetBlue Airways | Travel within 7 days of due date requires a Doctor’s certification obtained within 72 hours of flight. |
| Midwest Airlines | No Restrictions |
| Southwest Airlines | No Restrictions |
| Spirit Airlines | No Restrictions |
| Sun Country Airlines | Travel within 7 days of due date requires a Doctor’s certification obtained within 72 hours of flight. |
| United Airlines | For travel in your 9th month, you must provide a Doctor’s certification dated within 72 hours of flight. |
| US Airways | Travel within 7 days of due date requires a Doctor’s certification obtained within 72 hours of flight. |
| Virgin America | Travelers at 7 months or more must provide a Doctor’s certification. |
Of course, airline personnel and crew always have the final authority when determining if an individual is fit for travel. So, even though you obtain a medical certificate, you may still be denied boarding if you are determined to be unfit for travel due to health or safety reasons. Traveling while pregnant is generally safe so long as you’re prepared. Look for more upcoming articles on this topic, including tips for making your trip more comfortable and cruise line restrictions on pregnant travelers.
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