Pregnant passengers

At Turkish Airlines, we are committed to ensuring that expectant mothers enjoy a safe, comfortable flight experience and we take the specific needs of our pregnant passengers under consideration. You can find detailed information regarding the travel process for pregnant passengers on this page.
Weeks 1 – 27 Weeks 28 – 31 Weeks 32 – 35 Week 36
Single pregnancy Flying is permitted A doctor's note is required A doctor's note is required Flying is not permitted
Multiple pregnancy Flying is not permitted
Pregnant passengers who are required to present a medical certificate to board a flight must have obtained the certificate—prepared in Turkish or English—within 10 days prior to the flight date. Your certificate must include the issuing doctor’s full name, license number, signature, and the date the certificate was issued.

Flight clearance

Pregnant passengers’ eligibility to fly may vary depending on the number of weeks pregnant they are and their health condition. Even if a pregnant passenger is in good health, a doctor’s clearance is required, especially for long-haul flights. Since we rely on the information provided by passengers, it is extremely important that the information provided is accurate.

Week of pregnancy

Passengers with a single pregnancy may fly up to their 35th week of gestation with a doctor’s note stating “There are no medical contraindications for air travel.” The same medical certificate is required for passengers with a multiple pregnancy up to their 31st week of gestation. We cannot accept passengers with a single pregnancy who have a reached their 36th week of gestation, or passengers with a multiple pregnancy who have reached their 32nd week of gestation, even if they have a medical certificate.

Doctor’s note

Expectant mothers may travel without a doctor’s note up to their 28th week of gestation. Pregnant passengers who are required to present a doctor’s note for their flight must have obtained the note—prepared in Turkish or English—within 10 days prior to the flight date. The note must include the issuing doctor’s full name, license number, signature, and the date the note was issued.


Flight clearance

Pregnant passengers’ eligibility to fly may vary depending on the number of weeks pregnant they are and their health condition. Even if a pregnant passenger is in good health, a doctor’s clearance is required, especially for long-haul flights. Since we rely on the information provided by passengers, it is extremely important that the information provided is accurate.

Week of pregnancy

Passengers with a single pregnancy may fly up to their 35th week of gestation with a doctor’s note stating “There are no medical contraindications for air travel.” The same medical certificate is required for passengers with a multiple pregnancy up to their 31st week of gestation. We cannot accept passengers with a single pregnancy who have a reached their 36th week of gestation, or passengers with a multiple pregnancy who have reached their 32nd week of gestation, even if they have a medical certificate.

Doctor’s note

Expectant mothers may travel without a doctor’s note up to their 28th week of gestation. Pregnant passengers who are required to present a doctor’s note for their flight must have obtained the note—prepared in Turkish or English—within 10 days prior to the flight date. The note must include the issuing doctor’s full name, license number, signature, and the date the note was issued.

Recommendations for pregnant passengers

  • Follow the advice provided by your doctor for long-haul flights.
  • On transoceanic flights, opt for Business Class to take advantage of the extra legroom. This allows you to move your limbs more comfortably and reduces the risk of circulation problems.
  • Travel with a companion and make sure your companion has your doctor’s contact information.
  • Drink plenty of water during flights, and avoid beverages such as tea and coffee that can cause fluid loss.
  • On long flights, walk around the cabin at regular intervals to improve blood circulation.
  • Select aisle seats or seats closer to the aisle for easier access to the restroom.
  • Carry medical reports detailing your health condition with you; for international trips, have these reports prepared in English. Before departing, determine the contact information for the healthcare facilities closest to your destination.
  • Avoid using sleeping pills to manage the effects of jet lag.

Hamile yolcu hakkında sıkça sorulan sorular

What happens if there is a risk of premature birth on a flight? View the answer

Starting from their 28th week of pregnancy, expectant mothers are accepted for travel if they present a doctor’s note stating “There are no medical contraindications for air travel.” However, unexpected situations may arise during the flight, and there may be a risk of premature birth. If the pregnant passenger does not feel well during the flight or experiences signs of premature labor, it is important to notify the cabin crew immediately.

Are special meals or in-flight meals provided to pregnant passengers during the flight? View the answer

During the flight, we offer pregnant passengers the standard in-flight meal service, which includes a variety of hot meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverage options. Pregnant passengers who have specific dietary requirements may request special meals, such as low-sodium or vegetarian options. Requests can be submitted during the booking process or up to 24 hours before the flight via the Turkish Airlines website or mobile app. Pregnant passengers who do not feel well during the flight or who prefer lighter meals can inform the cabin crew and ask for assistance with suitable alternatives, such as water or herbal tea.

How soon after birth can mothers and their newborns fly? View the answer

The eligibility of mothers and newborns to fly may vary depending on the health status of both the mother and the baby, as well as the doctor’s assessment. Newborns who are less than 48 hours old are not accepted on our flights. Infants aged 2–7 days are accepted for travel if a doctor’s note stating “Fit to travel by air” is provided. Infant passengers may travel only when accompanied by an adult, held on the adult’s lap, and secured with a special infant safety harness. The accompanying adult must be at least 18 years old; each adult may accompany only one infant. Infant passengers must have their own travel documents (passport, ID, ticket, etc.). For more information, please visit our infant passenger page.

Does undergoing airport security screening (X-ray/metal detector) during pregnancy harm the baby? View the answer

Metal detectors and body scanners used for passengers at airports emit very low levels of electromagnetic fields in accordance with international standards and are generally considered safe for pregnant passengers. While there is no evidence that passing through these devices once or for a short period of time harms the baby, you can also inform security personnel of your condition and request an alternative screening method, such as a manual search.

Is a doctor’s note required to travel while pregnant? View the answer

Passengers who have reached their 27th week of pregnancy must obtain a doctor’s note stating that there are no medical contraindications for air travel. Passengers within their first 26 weeks of pregnancy may travel without a doctor’s note.

Are passengers with a multiple pregnancy permitted to fly? View the answer

Passengers who are between 28–31 weeks pregnant with a multiple pregnancy must provide a doctor’s note stating “There are no medical contraindications for air travel.” We cannot accept passengers with a multiple pregnancy who have reached their 32nd week, even if they present a doctor’s note.

What are the requirements for the medical certificate needed by pregnant passengers for travel? View the answer

Pregnant passengers who require a medical certificate for their flight must have obtained the certificate—prepared in Turkish or English—within 10 days prior to the flight date. The certificate must include the issuing doctor’s full name, license number, signature, and the date the certificate was issued.