Usually, yes — most airlines let you fly until around 36 weeks, and the middle of pregnancy is often the most comfortable time to travel. Here are the cutoff weeks by airline, and when you'll need a doctor's note.
| Airline | Fly up to | Doctor's note from |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | No cutoff | Not required. |
| United | No hard cutoff | Advised late-term. |
| American | ~36 weeks | Within ~4 wks of due date. |
| Southwest | No cutoff | Caution near term. |
| JetBlue | ~36 weeks | Within 7 days of due date. |
| Alaska | No cutoff | Not required. |
| Air Canada | No hard cutoff | Advised near term. |
| British Airways | End of 36 weeks | From 28 weeks. |
| Lufthansa | End of 36 weeks | From 28 weeks. |
| Air France / KLM | ~36 weeks | Recommended late-term. |
| Emirates | 36 weeks | From 29 weeks. |
| Qatar Airways | 36 weeks | From 29 weeks. |
| Singapore Airlines | 36 weeks | From 29 weeks. |
| Qantas | 36 weeks (intl) | From 28 weeks. |
| Ryanair | End of 36 weeks | From 28 weeks. |
| easyJet | End of 35 weeks | Not usually required. |
Twins/multiples are usually cut off ~4 weeks earlier (often ~32 weeks). These are typical policies that change often and differ for domestic vs international — confirm the exact rule with your airline, and get your doctor's sign-off, before you book.
For most people with a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, occasional flying is considered safe, and flying itself doesn't cause miscarriage or labor. The safest, most comfortable window is usually the second trimester. If your pregnancy is high-risk or you have complications, ask your doctor first — this page is general information, not medical advice.
Many airlines ask for a "fit to fly" letter from around 28 weeks, confirming your due date and that you're low-risk. The exact week varies by airline, so check your carrier's policy and get the letter in advance — some want it dated close to travel.
Yes. Airport walk-through metal detectors and millimeter-wave body scanners don't use X-rays and are considered safe in pregnancy. If you'd rather not use the scanner, you can always request a pat-down instead.
Commonly around 36 weeks for a single pregnancy and about 32 weeks for twins, but some airlines have no fixed cutoff and others are stricter. Always confirm with your specific airline and route, and with your doctor or midwife.