Flying While Pregnant: Flight Planning for Child Bearing

As the number of female airline pilots continues to grow in North America, concerns about flying while pregnant are generating greater attention from both regulators and airlines. As with many health-related conditions, chief concerns in establishing effective policy must be the pilot’s wellness and the safety of operations.

First Steps and Regulations

Once pregnancy is confirmed, pilots should advise their doctors, obstetricians, aviation medical examiners, and airlines. Flight duties are permitted to continue for a period of time in both the United States and Canada during low-risk pregnancies. Higher-risk pregnancies often involve preexisting conditions, new conditions that develop during pregnancy, or other issues such as a history of premature labor, significant anemia, a mental-health disorder, high blood pressure, preeclampsia/eclampsia, and other related health concerns. Although considered “common,” even symptoms like nausea and fatigue can potentially interfere with flight performance.

In the United States, the FAA allows pregnant pilots to fly based on FAR 61.53. This more general rule requires airline pilots to ground themselves if they have a medical condition or are undergoing treatment that makes them unable to meet the required medical certification standards.

Given the broad nature of the regulation, airline labor contracts largely determine the policies and benefits extended to pregnant U.S. pilots. Many U.S. carriers require pilots to stop flying by the end of the first trimester, which is approximately 12‒14 weeks from conception, due in large part to the terms of airline insurance policies but also the potential effect of radiation on fetal development throughout pregnancy.

Benefits and Leave

In terms of benefits, most collective bargaining agreements provide pregnant pilots with leaves of absence and paid time off. For example, United Airlines pilots, with the exception of those on probation, are entitled to eight weeks of paid maternity leave, two weeks of paid paternity leave, and up to nine additional months of time off.

Once a pregnant pilot stops flying, unless they’re assigned to ground-based duties, maternity leave commences. In addition to the outlined time off, U.S. pilots can also use sick and vacation time as well as Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits. This legislation ensures that workers can access up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that any group health benefits be maintained during this period.

In Canada, the decision to continue to fly while pregnant is ultimately made between the pilot and the physician. If the pilot is fit to fly, they’re able to continue through their 30th week of pregnancy, per CAR 404.06(1)(c).

Much of pregnancy time off is dictated by federal policy. Pilots are entitled to take up to 17 weeks of unpaid leave per the Canada Labour Code. This leave can begin as early as 13 weeks prior to the baby’s expected due date and end no later than 17 weeks after the child is born. In addition, parental leave can be taken by either or both parents for a period of up to 63 weeks.

Maternity and parental leave benefits are governed by the Employment Insurance Act. If pilots are on maternity or parental leave, they may be eligible to receive employment insurance maternity and/or parental benefits.

There are many considerations before and after giving birth. Among them, the ability to access and schedule in vitro fertilization and other reproductive technology treatments. These procedures can be expensive and require extensive time away from work.

Resuming Flight Duties

After the child is born, most airlines allow pilots to resume limited flight duties while breastfeeding. Many airlines have policies to provide accommodations for pumping and storing breastmilk when between flights. However, inflight duties make consistent breastfeeding difficult, compelling many pilots to finish breastfeeding before flying again. Consult your flight ops manual to confirm what your airline allows.

Reminders

Remember, if you’re pregnant, keep your physician apprised of what you’re experiencing. In addition, make sure you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to, as outlined in applicable laws and your contract.

Members: Ask ALPA Aeromedical

ALPA’s Aeromedical Committee has a dedicated e-mail for members to reach out with women’s health questions: Womens.Health@alpa.org.