Flying while pregnant on Indian airlines — week-by-week cutoffs, medical certificate rules and what Air India vs Air India Express actually require (2026)
By Priya Nair (Priya Nair covers India's beach destinations — Andaman, Lakshadweep, Goa, Kerala — with a focus on the practical bits: which gateway airport, which ferry connects to which island, the permits, the scuba seasons, the budget math.) · Published · 12 min read
Air India allows travel up to 35 weeks of gestation on international flights (36 weeks on domestic, with a medical certificate from 28 weeks onward). Air India Express is stricter — 32 weeks for international, 34 weeks for domestic. IndiGo and Akasa Air both permit domestic travel up to 36 weeks with a certificate required from around 28–32 weeks. Here is the full picture, airline by airline.
TL;DR — the quick answer
Indian airlines generally allow pregnant passengers to fly up to 35–36 weeks of gestation, but require a doctor's fitness certificate from around 28–32 weeks onwards. Air India is the most liberal on the full-service side; Air India Express and budget carriers have tighter cutoffs. After 36 weeks, no scheduled Indian carrier will allow you to board without exceptional clearance — and most will not at all. Book refundable fares if your travel date is within 8–10 weeks of your due date, and get your certificate sorted a few days before departure. Here is the breakdown by airline.
Air India pregnancy policy (full-service carrier)
Air India's policy as of 2026 (verify on airindia.com or by calling reservations before your travel, as airline medical policies do update):
- Up to 27 weeks: No restrictions, no certificate required. Travel as a regular passenger.
- 28 to 35 weeks (domestic): A medical fitness certificate from a registered gynaecologist or obstetrician is required. The certificate must state the expected due date (EDD), the number of weeks of gestation at the time of travel, that the pregnancy is uncomplicated and that the passenger is fit to fly.
- 28 to 35 weeks (international): Same certificate requirement, but the certificate must additionally be issued within 72 hours of the date of departure for flights at 32 weeks or beyond. Some Air India counters ask for a 72-hour window even at 28 weeks for international — get a certificate dated as close to travel as possible.
- 36 weeks and beyond: Air India does not permit domestic or international travel. The aircraft door effectively closes for you at 36 weeks on domestic routes and at 35 weeks + 6 days on international.
Air India's rules explicitly cover singleton pregnancies. For multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets), the cutoff is typically earlier — some airports apply a 32-week limit for multiples even on domestic routes. If you are carrying multiples, ask Air India reservations specifically about the multiple-pregnancy policy rather than relying on the general guidance.
Air India Express pregnancy policy
Air India Express (the budget arm, which absorbed the old AirAsia India operations and operates on shorter-haul routes including India–UAE, India–Southeast Asia and domestic) has a stricter policy:
- Up to 27 weeks: No restrictions, no certificate required.
- 28 to 32 weeks (international): Medical certificate required. International routes include India–Dubai, India–Abu Dhabi, India–Muscat, India–Kuala Lumpur, India–Bangkok and similar.
- 33 weeks and beyond (international): Not permitted on Air India Express international flights.
- 28 to 34 weeks (domestic): Medical certificate required.
- 35 weeks and beyond (domestic): Not permitted.
The reason Air India Express is stricter than Air India for international routes is partly the duration and nature of routes (shorter average flight times, different in-flight medical support protocols) and partly legacy policies from the AirAsia India era. Always confirm directly with Air India Express at the time of booking.
IndiGo and Akasa Air pregnancy rules
These are the rules for domestic flights — IndiGo and Akasa Air's primary domain:
- IndiGo: Permits travel up to 36 weeks. A medical certificate is required from the beginning of the 28th week. The certificate must state the expected date of delivery, the number of completed weeks of gestation, that there are no complications, and that the passenger is deemed fit to travel by air. IndiGo accepts certificates from registered MBBS doctors, gynaecologists or obstetricians — it does not need to be a specialist, but a gynaecologist or OB's certificate is less likely to be questioned at check-in.
- Akasa Air: A similar 36-week cutoff with a certificate from 28 weeks onwards for domestic travel. Akasa's policy documentation references the DGCA's general guidance on carriage of pregnant passengers. Call Akasa's customer service to confirm current rules for any trip after 28 weeks.
- SpiceJet: Historically similar — certificate required from 28 weeks, not permitted after 36 weeks. Given SpiceJet's current operational instability, call to confirm before booking if you are flying SpiceJet specifically.
A note on IndiGo specifically: check-in agents at smaller airports may not have seen the pregnancy fitness certificate procedure frequently. Carrying a printed copy of IndiGo's own policy (from their website, under 'Special Assistance') alongside the medical certificate can pre-empt any confusion at check-in.
What must the doctor's certificate actually say?
This is where several passengers run into trouble — a general 'patient is healthy and fit for travel' letter from a general physician is often not accepted. The certificate that gets through check-in without argument should include:
- Passenger's full name (matching the ticket and ID exactly).
- Expected Due Date (EDD) — this allows the check-in agent to calculate gestational age without dispute.
- Exact gestational age at time of travel in completed weeks (e.g., '32 weeks and 4 days').
- A clear statement that the pregnancy is uncomplicated — no preeclampsia, placenta previa, history of preterm labour, or other conditions that would contraindicate air travel.
- A statement that the passenger is fit to travel by air on the specific date of travel.
- Doctor's name, qualification, registration number, and date of issue.
The certificate must typically be issued within 72 hours of departure once you are at 28 weeks or beyond — airlines reject certificates dated 2 weeks before the flight, even if the pregnancy status has not changed. Build in a doctor's appointment close to your departure date if you are in the 28+ week range.
Tip: if you have a regular OB or gynaecologist, ask them to issue the certificate on letterhead with their MCI/NMC registration number prominently displayed. At major Indian airports, the document verification is done by the ground handling staff (IndiGo uses Celebi and AISATS; Air India uses AISATS at most stations). They will escalate anything that looks incomplete to a supervisor, causing delays. Complete documentation moves fastest.
Domestic vs international flights — what changes?
Beyond the week cutoffs (which differ by carrier as above), the practical differences between domestic and international pregnant travel in India:
- Duration of flight: A domestic IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Delhi is 2 hours; an Air India flight to London is 9–10 hours. The in-flight pressure and duration matter medically. For flights over 4–5 hours, discuss blood clot (DVT) risk with your OB if you are in the second or third trimester — compression socks and regular movement around the cabin are the standard advice.
- Medical diversion availability: On international routes over the ocean or remote regions, a mid-flight complication means diversion to the nearest airport rather than a 20-minute drive to a hospital. This is part of why international cutoffs tend to be stricter.
- Certificate validity scrutiny: International departure check-in staff tend to scrutinise medical documents more carefully than domestic check-in staff at the same airport. Have your documents in order and easily accessible — pulling out a crumpled certificate from the bottom of a bag at a busy international departure check-in counter adds stress you do not need.
- Return flight timing: This catches people out. If you are flying internationally at 30 weeks and the return flight is at 33 weeks, you may hit the international cutoff on the way back (depending on which carrier's return you booked). Plan both legs carefully, not just the outbound.
For booking flights that accommodate your travel window, FlightGPT lets you search flexible dates to find the right departure slots — useful when you need to travel in a specific gestational window. See also our family travel guides on DGCA's free seat rule for families and unaccompanied minor rules on Indian airlines.
Booking smart: refundable fares and travel insurance
If your travel date is within 8–10 weeks of your due date, things can change quickly. Some practical financial risk management:
- Book refundable fares. IndiGo's 'Flexi' fare and Air India's higher fare buckets offer better cancellation and change terms. Yes, they cost more upfront — but if your OB advises against flying at 30 weeks, a non-refundable ₹8,000 fare hurts more than the ₹2,000 premium for a refundable one.
- Travel insurance. A standard travel insurance policy from insurers like HDFC Ergo, Bajaj Allianz or Tata AIG may cover trip cancellation or curtailment due to medical reasons — including a doctor's advice not to fly during pregnancy. Read the policy document for pregnancy-related exclusions; some policies exclude claims arising from pregnancies beyond a certain gestational age at the time of departure. Confirm coverage before purchasing.
- Inform the airline of special assistance needs. If you need a bulkhead seat (more legroom), wheelchair assistance at the airport, or pre-boarding, these can be requested at booking through the airline's special assistance team. IndiGo's website has a 'Request Assistance' flow; Air India has a medical desk. Do this early — special assistance requests on IndiGo need to be submitted at least 48 hours before departure, and for some requests, 72 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly on IndiGo at 34 weeks pregnant?
Yes — IndiGo permits domestic travel up to 36 weeks. At 34 weeks you will need a medical fitness certificate from a gynaecologist or obstetrician, issued within 72 hours of departure, stating your EDD, gestational age, that the pregnancy is uncomplicated, and that you are fit to fly. Carry it at check-in.
What is Air India's cutoff for flying during pregnancy?
Air India permits domestic travel up to the end of 35 weeks (36 weeks in some documentation versions — verify directly with Air India at the time of booking). For international flights, the cutoff is 35 weeks. A doctor's certificate is required from 28 weeks onwards, valid within 72 hours of departure for international flights.
Is Air India Express stricter than Air India for pregnant passengers?
Yes. Air India Express does not permit travel on international routes beyond 32 weeks, and on domestic routes beyond 34 weeks — both are stricter than Air India's main carrier limits of 35 weeks (international) and around 35–36 weeks (domestic). If you are booking an Air India Express route, confirm the current policy with their reservations team at the time of booking.
What should be written in the doctor's certificate for flying during pregnancy?
The certificate should include: your full name matching your ticket, your Expected Due Date (EDD), your gestational age in completed weeks at the time of travel, a statement that the pregnancy is uncomplicated, and a statement that you are fit to travel by air on the travel date. The doctor's name, qualification, registration number and the issue date must be on the document. It should be issued within 72 hours of departure.
Can I fly internationally on Air India at 28 weeks pregnant?
Yes — 28 weeks is within Air India's permitted window for international flights (up to 35 weeks). You will need a medical certificate from a gynaecologist. For international routes, make sure the certificate is dated close to departure. Discuss DVT risk and in-flight precautions (compression socks, regular movement) with your OB before flying on a long-haul route.
What happens if I go into labour on a flight?
The captain will request emergency medical assistance — a 'MAYDAY medical' — and divert to the nearest suitable airport if the birth is imminent. On domestic Indian routes this is rarely more than 20–30 minutes from a major city. Airlines' first-aid kits include basic obstetric supplies for emergency delivery, and cabin crew receive basic emergency childbirth training. That said, no airline or doctor would recommend flying in the final weeks of a complicated or high-risk pregnancy — this scenario is genuinely rare because the policies exist to prevent it.