Pregnant passengers flying with Ryanair or Jet2 may need to produce an additional medical document to board, according to the terms and conditions on both carriers' websites. After a certain stage of pregnancy, women travelling with either airline must carry a certificate confirming they are fit to fly, or they risk being refused boarding.
Ryanair's pregnancy travel rules
Ryanair's guidance states that passengers "may fly up to 28 weeks of pregnancy" and that once a pregnancy reaches week 28, travellers "will need to carry a completed 'fit to fly' letter from your doctor/midwife". The airline adds: "If you have a single pregnancy, travel is not permitted beyond the end of the 36th week of your pregnancy; For a twin/triplet pregnancy, a 'fit to fly' letter is required between 28-32 weeks, and travel is not permitted beyond the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy."
Ryanair also advises passengers to consult their doctor before booking if they have any doubts about their suitability to fly or have experienced complications while pregnant.
Jet2 and easyJet policies
Jet2's policy states: "We are not able to carry expectant mothers after: the end of the 35th week of pregnancy in the case of a single pregnancy; or - the end of the 33rd week of pregnancy in the case of multiple pregnancies (for example twins)." After the end of the 27th week, expectant mothers must provide a doctor's certificate confirming their stage of pregnancy and fitness to fly, with the certificate dated within 7 days of the outbound date of travel and 16 days of the inbound date of travel. Jet2 reserves the right to refuse carriage if this certificate is not provided.
easyJet's comparable guidance notes that passengers "are able to travel until quite late into your pregnancy" and that travel is permitted up to the end of the 35th week for single pregnancies, or the end of the 32nd week for multiple pregnancies. easyJet advises passengers who have experienced complications to consult their medical practitioner before flying, and expectant mothers may travel with an infant on their lap.
NHS guidelines state most women can fly safely well into pregnancy with precautions such as adequate travel insurance, covering pregnancy-related medical care, premature birth, and the cost of amending return travel dates if labour occurs.
