Flying PIA While Pregnant: 35 Week Limit, Ultrasound and Medical Certificate Rules
PIA accepts expectant mothers up to 35 weeks and asks for an ultrasound report and medical certificate. See the papers, the exception and the newborn rule.
Short answer: PIA accepts an expectant mother up to 35 weeks of pregnancy. You must carry a medical certificate and an ultrasound report that shows how many weeks you are. If either paper is missing, PIA says you will be politely refused. A newborn is generally not carried until 7 days after delivery.
Your sister's due date is in November, the ticket to Dubai was bought months ago, and nobody has asked the doctor for a letter. The family finds out about the 35 week rule at the check-in counter. That is the worst place to find out.
We read PIA's Travellers Information page and its Conditions of Carriage on 13 October 2026. Every figure below comes from those two pages.
The 35 week limit is the first thing to check
PIA's page says the permissible limit of pregnancy is up to 35 weeks. An expectant mother who goes beyond this limit shall not be accepted for carriage. There is no mention of a lower limit for an early or high risk pregnancy.
Count the weeks from your doctor's scan, not from memory. If your flight is on 35 weeks and 0 days, you are at the limit. A day later is not allowed under the wording on the page.
If you fly out and come back, check the weeks on the return date too. PIA's page does not say the limit counts only on the first flight, so we read it as applying to each flight. Confirm this with the PIA Contact Centre on 111-786-786 before you pay.
Two papers are mandatory at check-in
PIA's page says an ultrasound report has been made mandatory to establish the gestational age of the baby. This is in addition to the existing requirement for a medical certificate.
The page then states that without both documents, passengers will be politely refused. It names them as the ultrasound report and the MEDIF. MEDIF is the airline's medical information form, which a doctor fills in.
| Document | What it proves | Source on PIA's page |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound report | How many weeks you are | Travellers Information, mandatory |
| Medical certificate (MEDIF) | A doctor says you are fit to fly | Travellers Information, mandatory |
| Medical insurance evidence | Cover for a medical emergency | Conditions of Carriage, article 7.4.4 |
| Doctor travelling with you | Needed to fly beyond the usual limit | Conditions of Carriage, article 7.4.5 |
PIA's page does not say how recent the ultrasound must be, or how many days before the flight the doctor must sign. Ask the Contact Centre, and ask the doctor for a certificate dated close to the flight.
Flying beyond 35 weeks needs approval
Article 7.4.5 of the Conditions of Carriage says an expectant mother may fly beyond the standard limits if she gets approval from PIA's medical department, is accompanied by a physician and provides insurance documents.
This is an exception, not a booking option. There is no form or fee on the page. If you are in this position, call PIA first, and do not buy a ticket on the hope that it will be approved.
Article 7.4.2 adds a warning. Passengers must check whether restrictions apply to them, and false information about the weeks of pregnancy could make you liable for the cost of a medical diversion. A diversion is when the plane lands early to get you help. That bill can be large.
Newborns wait 7 days after delivery
Article 7.4.3 says carriage of newly born infants will generally not be permitted until 7 days after delivery. The word "generally" matters: a medical reason may change this, but the page gives no route for it.
Once the baby is past 7 days, the country you fly to sets the paper rules, such as a passport and a visa. PIA's page says nothing more about the baby's own health papers, so ask the Contact Centre if the baby has any medical condition.
What to do before you book
Work backwards from the date. Fix the flight, then count the weeks on that date, and get the papers. The steps below put the tasks in the right order.
- Ask your doctor for the due date and the weeks on the flight date.
- Get a fresh ultrasound report that shows the gestational age.
- Ask the doctor to fill in the medical certificate (MEDIF) close to the flight.
- Call PIA on 111-786-786 to confirm the papers and any exception.
- Carry the originals and a photocopy, and check in early.
You will also want to know how check-in works. Domestic web check-in is explained in the guide to PIA online check-in. If you need a wheelchair or help at the gate, the page on PIA special assistance covers who qualifies.
If PIA refuses you at the counter, you may be due a refund. The rules are in the guide to PIA ticket refunds. A trip that is delayed by a medical diversion or a late check-in is a different matter, and travel insurance may cover part of it. See how to claim travel insurance in Pakistan.
Common questions
Can I fly on PIA at 36 weeks?
No, not under the standard rule. PIA's page puts the limit at 35 weeks. Flying beyond it needs medical department approval, a doctor travelling with you and insurance papers.
Do I need a letter from my doctor?
Yes. PIA lists a medical certificate and an ultrasound report as mandatory. Without both, it says you will be politely refused.
What is a MEDIF?
A MEDIF is the medical information form that an airline uses to clear a passenger for travel on health grounds. A doctor fills it in. PIA's page names it among the required papers.
Can a newborn fly on PIA?
Generally not until 7 days after delivery, under article 7.4.3 of the Conditions of Carriage. The page gives no exception process.
What if I give a wrong number of weeks?
You could be held liable for the cost of a medical diversion, under article 7.4.2. Give the exact figure from your scan.
Does the rule apply to domestic flights?
The pages do not make a distinction. We read the 35 week limit as applying to all PIA flights. Confirm with the Contact Centre.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 13 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read PIA's Travellers Information page and its Conditions of Carriage. Neither page says how recent the ultrasound or certificate must be, so we could not verify that. We have not tested a booking.
About the author
Public Services and Education Journalist
Fajr Riaz is a journalist and content writer at Pakistan Era, based in Lahore. She covers the questions people meet in everyday life in Pakistan: how a public service works, what a change in the rules means, and where to find a reliable answer.
