mahasamatman

Does anyone happen to know United's policy on pregnant women? Is there a point after which they won't let one fly?

I'm also interested in other airlines (particularly those that fly transatlantic) if you happen you know.

pushback

It's pretty much the same as Disneyland's. Just wear the seatbelt as low as possible--and please ... do not book yourself on morning flights.

iwebslinger

Hilarious!!!!!


My wife is 7 months pregnant and we just got back from Florida on Ted and CRJ. We asked the doctor and he was not that concerned. She will probably fly until the end of the 8th month. We found this

Pregnancy Policy

wimpypipsqueak

How did that happen. I'm either away from home or jetlagged, so any tips appreciated

mahasamatman

Excellent reference!

winkydink

I'll point out what our neonatologist (no, it wasn't a difficult pregancy, just an IVF) said, which is, if you develop problems with your pregancy at your destination, chances are good you'll be staying there until after the baby is born. Doubly important if you're going int'l.

mahasamatman

Well, first the daddy and mommy get together for some private time...

GoingAway

In general, I don't think they'll ask you how far along you are but I think their guideline is about 7 months. This is based on an incident a month or two back when a pregnant woman was refused travel (removed from the plane) due to her condition. Note that they asked her how far along she was because it seemed like she wasn't looking well (turns out she had just been released from the hospital after suffering premature labor and her doctor told her it was okay to fly home - the situation noted by the FAs turned out to be labor and the pilot announced that the woman had given birth at the airport as we landed). They had UA medical someone or other on the phone stating the UA opinion was she wouldn't be allowed to travel, period - they didn't care what the woman's doctor was saying.

Uniter

My wife'll be flying at 7 months pregnant to Europe this summer. This is fine according to United's policy, but we're going to get a note from the Doctor saying it's okay for her to fly just in case. Why take a chance that some uninformed FA tells her looks too pregnant to fly?

fastair

Unless your Dr is a majority shareholder in UA, his note holds no authority, just as UA's note to you authorizing your DR to give you heroin holds no water. If it comes down to it, UA would call their own medical dept vs an outsider who knows less about flying then our Dr. who specializes in flights.

That aside, you should have no problems with UA, but if traveling overseas, find out if that country has a poilcy. Many countries don't qwant you giving birth in their country (giving your offspring citizenship.)

BenjaminNYC

Do you have pictures?

exAC

Does your DR. have experience in Aviation Medicine and have they taken into account the cabin pressure on the airplane is the same as standing on top of a very high mountain.

kcvt750

Fiumicino

In fact, many airlines have a policy that request pregnant passengers in their late third trimester to have a note from their MD; why are we not competent to make that assessment

There is no such policy at UA, the contract of carriage being very broad and allows the denied boarding of any type of condition that could interfere with the operation of the aircraft.

At AA :
At DL :

Swiss Tony

British Airways' policy

British Airways is happy to accept pregnant ladies on our flights.
In order to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the baby, the following policy is in place:

For uncomplicated single pregnancies, we restrict travel beyond the end of the 36th week, and for twins, triplets etc., beyond the end of the 32nd week.
After your pregnancy has entered its' 28th week, we ask that you carry with you a letter from your doctor or midwife, stating the pregnancy is uncomplicated and confirming the expected date of delivery. In this letter, your doctor should state that you are in good health, that they are happy for you to fly, and that (in their opinion) there is no reason why you cannot fly.

The Virgin Atlatnic Policy

Providing your pregnancy has been uncomplicated and you are not experiencing a related medical condition there is no problem flying until your 28th week.

After your 28th week we need to receive a signed certificate from your Doctor, Obstetrician or Midwife stating that you have had an uncomplicated pregnancy, are fit to travel and confirming your date of delivery.

After your 34th week, we may only carry you for urgent medical or compassionate reasons and only on approval of the Virgin Atlantic Company Doctor. You will also need to be accompanied by a suitable medical escort.

-ends-

Just some personal experience here - my wife was pregnant last year. Thai Airways in Phuket got a bit funny about the whole thing & asked us to sign some kind of waiver (which we refused to do as we would be liable for the cost of diverting the plane) when my wife was less than 7 months pregnant (6mo 3 weeks or so).

We also flew bang on 28 weeks with BA so got the doctors note but it wasn't asked for (although both flights were short-haul in the UK).