Quick Answer: Yes, you can fly with gestational diabetes, but it depends on your individual health. Always consult your doctor first, as it's considered a high-risk pregnancy. With proper planning, medical clearance, and precautions, air travel can be safe for both you and your baby.
While flying during a healthy pregnancy is very common and usually safe, some medical complications such as gestational diabetes can affect your travels.
If most women who suffer from gestational diabetes end up delivering a perfectly healthy baby, pregnancies with gestational diabetes are still considered "high-risk" pregnancies. If you suffer from gestational diabetes, you should always ask for your doctors' advice before traveling, whether it's by air, sea, or land.
4AllFamily's Medicine Coolers are all TSA-approved to fly with your Insulin.
Related article: Does Insulin Really Need to Be Refrigerated?
Flying when pregnant with gestational diabetes
In the USA only, about 6% to 9% of women have gestational diabetes during their pregnancy. If you're one of them and you're planning to travel by air, there are a few things you should be aware of beforehand.
Flying during pregnancy
Women who have a healthy pregnancy without medical complications can safely fly. Be aware though that air travel during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy can trigger premature labor. That's why most airline companies allow pregnant women on their domestic flights up to 36 weeks of pregnancy only. International flights may be limited to 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Policies regarding pregnant customers vary from one airline to the other. Some require a medical certificate that explicitly state your due date while others don't. Call your flight company before booking to be sure you'll be allowed on the flight and ask what the necessary documents are. Meanwhile, here are the 14 major airline companies policies on pregnancy.
If you suffer medical complications during your pregnancy complications, it might not be recommended for you to fly. This usually is the case if you have preeclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, or gestational diabetes.
In general, pregnant women who are going through high-risk pregnancies are not advised to travel, whether it's by plane or by land. The main reason is that you need to avoid any stress, stay calm and rested, as well as nearby your medical team. In any case, always ask for your doctor's advice before flying while pregnant.
Related article: Diabetes Travel Letter: Everything You Need to Know + Free Printable Sample
If you have gestational diabetes
If you suffer from gestational diabetes, you should always ask for your doctor's advice before traveling. At 4allFamily, we are not a medical team, and we would never give medical advice here. If you have gestational diabetes, only your medical team can say if you're fit to fly.
Flying with gestational diabetes can be dangerous. It can also be totally safe. It depends on each specific case. The most common risks of flying with gestational diabetes are deep vein thrombosis, blood clots, dehydration, and shortness of breath, which can ultimately affect your and your baby's overall health.
If your doctor says you're fit to fly, or if you must fly anyways, here's what you should know before traveling by air with diabetes.
Flying with gestational diabetes: what you must know
30% to 50% of pregnant women with gestational diabetes take insulin. If it's your case, or if you're wearing a continuous glucose monitoring system, you're probably concerned about your medical supplies at the airport and during the flight.
Related: TSA regulations for diabetic travelers: Diabetes supplies and insulin at the airport
TSA rules about diabetic supplies at the airport
Traveling with gestational diabetes means bringing important medical supplies-and being well-prepared at airport security. Here's what you need to know to breeze through TSA while keeping your health and safety a priority:
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🧳 Always carry medical supplies in your hand luggageNever place insulin, medications, or devices in checked baggage. Cargo holds can expose your supplies to extreme temperatures and pressure, which may damage equipment or freeze insulin.
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✅ TSA allows all diabetic supplies through securityYou're permitted to bring insulin, pumps, injector pens, syringes, needles, vials, test strips, lancets, oral meds, glucagon kits, juice boxes for hypoglycemia, and snacks-just make sure they're well-organized and easily accessible.
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⚠️ Avoid full-body scanners if wearing a CGM or insulin pumpDevices like Dexcom or FreeStyle Libre can be affected by 360° scanners. Politely request a pat-down screening instead-you have the right to ask!
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📝 Medical certificate not required, but highly recommendedAsk your doctor to write a note listing your medical supplies and stating that you're pregnant with gestational diabetes. It can help speed up the process and minimize questions.
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📄 Use the TSA Notification CardDownload and fill out the official TSA card for travelers with medical conditions. This, along with your doctor's note, adds clarity for agents during screening.
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🤰 Bring your pregnancy medical recordAlways travel with your prenatal medical file. It's essential in case of an in-flight emergency or if you need urgent care at your destination.
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🌍 Traveling abroad? Translate your documentsIf you're traveling internationally, have your medical note and key records translated into the language spoken at your destination. It could make a big difference in an emergency.
Related article: Travel Smart with Diabetes: The Essential Guide to Building Your Diabetic Travel Kit for Every Adventure
If you're flying with insulin, you might need an insulin travel cooler
On the plane with gestational diabetes
Now that you've boarded and are ready to take off, here are a few tips to help you manage your gestational diabetes and stay safe during your flight.
First things first: just like in a car, make sure your seatbelt is fastened under your baby bump and across your lap for both comfort and safety.
Being pregnant, having diabetes, and flying all put extra strain on your blood circulation. To reduce your risk of blood clots and circulation issues, move your legs regularly while seated. On longer flights (over 2 hours), take short walks up and down the aisles whenever possible.
Staying hydrated is also key. Airplane cabins are notoriously dry, and dehydration is even more common for people with diabetes. Make sure to drink plenty of water and come prepared with the right foods and supplies.
Here's a quick checklist of what to bring and do on the plane:
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🥤 Drink lots of water - Stay hydrated to reduce the risk of dehydration and related complications.
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🍱 Pack diabetic-friendly snacks - Choose sugar-free options and bring some fast-acting sugars in case of hypoglycemia.
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🧴 Prime your insulin pen before injecting - Air pressure changes can cause air bubbles in prefilled pens.
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⏰ Adjust your injection schedule if crossing time zones - Talk to your doctor beforehand to plan this out.
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🚶♀️ Keep moving - Flex your feet, wiggle your toes, and walk around during long flights to prevent blood clots.
With these simple precautions and a bit of preparation, flying with gestational diabetes can be safe and manageable. Always listen to your body and don't hesitate to alert the crew if you're feeling unwell during the flight.
If you're taking insulin or any other injectable diabetes medicine like Mounjaro, Ozempic, Victoza, Trulicity, Byetta for example, prime your pen before injecting. Because of air pressure changes during take-off prefilled medicine pens may accumulate air bubbles.
📌 Key Takeaways:
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✈️ Air travel with gestational diabetes is possible but should always be cleared by your doctor, as it's considered a high-risk pregnancy.
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🩺 Medical complications like blood clots, dehydration, and shortness of breath can pose risks-plan ahead to stay safe.
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💉 Bring all diabetes supplies in your carry-on, including insulin, snacks, and glucose monitors-TSA allows them with minimal hassle.
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🚶♀️ Stay active during the flight to boost circulation and prevent blood clots; hydrate well and monitor blood sugar levels.
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📝 Carry medical documentation, a note from your doctor, and your pregnancy record-especially for international flights.
💬 We'd Love to Hear From You!
We hope this guide helped you feel more prepared for flying with gestational diabetes. If you've traveled while managing it, we'd love to hear how it went! Your experience could be helpful and encouraging to other moms-to-be. Share your story in the comments!
📆 Article Update History:
✅ Updated: March 24, 2025
Originally Published: August 04, 2021
