Last updated: 31 October 2026.
Etihad supports travellers with a disability or limited mobility, expectant mothers and children flying without a parent. Make your request at etihad.com/manage or by phone two days before the flight at the latest; later, help may not be possible and your journey could be upset. Where a partner airline flies one leg, ask that airline for its help.
48 hourshow early to ask Etihad for wheelchair or other help
29 weeksa medical certificate is needed from this week of pregnancy
5 to 11ages when the Unaccompanied Minor service is free if booked ahead
120 cmmaximum height of your own wheelchair carried free
Wheelchairs and disability help
- WCHR
- A chair for the ramp: you can use steps but not long distances
- WCHS
- A chair for steps: you cannot climb the aircraft steps but can reach your seat
- WCHC
- A chair to the cabin seat; this level needs medical clearance
- Airport wheelchairs are for people with a physical or cognitive disability or mobility limit. Request help before you pick a seat. Disabled passengers can then choose a seat free of charge online or by phone.
- You can bring your own wheelchair at no cost, on top of the checked allowance, if it stands no taller than 120 cm. Some battery-powered wheelchairs and mobility aids need approval in advance.
- Every Etihad aircraft carries an on-board wheelchair, accessible toilets and some seats with movable armrests.
- Medical clearance is needed for a stretcher, for oxygen, a portable oxygen concentrator or a ventilator, for battery-powered medical equipment other than a CPAP machine, and for an unstable or contagious condition, or anyone unable to look after themselves.
- To get clearance, submit a Medical Information Form (MEDIF) with a medical report three days or more before the flight. Both must be in English, issued by the treating doctor in the 14 days before travel, complete, signed and dated, with the doctor's contact details. If approved, the Etihad Airways Medical Centre issues a certificate to keep with you.
- Wheelchair users may also check in at the off-airport sites in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
Pregnancy
Single baby
- Up to week 28
- No certificate needed (advice from your doctor is recommended)
- From week 29
- Medical certificate, shown at airport check-in, up to week 36
- No travel from
- Week 37
Twins or more
- Up to week 28
- No certificate needed
- From week 29
- Medical certificate, shown at check-in, up to week 32
- No travel from
- Week 33
- A complicated pregnancy needs a MEDIF as well.
- Etihad offers a certificate form to print and take to your medical attendant. If you fly with other airlines too, check their rules and the certificate's validity.
- Etihad advises talking to your doctor about the risk of blood clots, requesting a seat close to the lavatory, wearing compression stockings and raising your feet in flight.
- It suggests waiting a week after giving birth before flying. A premature birth, or any complication, calls for a MEDIF and medical report.
Children travelling alone
- Under 5
- Not allowed to fly alone, and not covered by the service. An adult must share the flight and the cabin.
- 5 to 11
- The Unaccompanied Minor service costs nothing if arranged beforehand. Buy an ordinary adult fare.
- 12 to 17
- Can fly on an adult ticket by themselves, or the service can be added for a charge
- Price: nothing for ages 5 to 11 when arranged ahead. A same-day request, or any child of 12 to 17, pays USD 100 per direct flight leg or USD 150 per leg on connections.
- How to book: buy the flight, then send the Unaccompanied Minor form a day or more before departure. Etihad confirms within 24 hours once documents and payment are in order. Sign a printed copy and bring it to the airport.
- The child checks in at an airport desk two hours or more ahead; off-airport check-in is not allowed. The adult waits in the terminal until the aircraft departs.
- Etihad staff stay with the child until boarding and, on arrival, help through immigration, baggage claim and customs. The person collecting the child must bring identification.
- Connections: a host takes the child to a lounge in Abu Dhabi, with transit time capped at eight hours, and a female staff member stays on if the next flight is delayed.
- Changes: change the flight at etihad.com/manage, then send a new form 24 hours ahead. For 12 to 17 year olds, payment is needed again only when a direct flight becomes a connecting one.
- Teenagers aged 12 to 17 cannot escort an unaccompanied minor. A legal guardian under 18 may accompany an infant or child with documents such as birth certificates and passports.
Questions travellers ask us
How soon should I ask for assistance?
Two days before the flight, at etihad.com/manage or by phone.
Until what week can I fly while pregnant?
Week 36 for one baby and week 32 for twins or more. A certificate is needed from week 29.
Can my 10-year-old fly alone?
Yes, with the Unaccompanied Minor service, which is free when booked ahead.
Baggage Allowance is an independent information site and is not part of Etihad. Check the airline's own pages before you travel.
28 questions and answers
Thanks in advance
We are sorry to inform that the airline does not provide baggage carriage or handling on your behalf, if you are pregnant. It is advisable to take a travel companion along.
Please get in touch with the airline customer service directly. Etihad is one of the best global airlines. They will surely take care to ensure that you have a nice journey.
Thank you for your kind response
Generally, passengers in special conditions are allowed to board ahead of others.
You have not mentioned the number of weeks pregnancy. However, if the pregnancy is in 29th week to 38th week period and is a single pregnancy, a medical certificate is required. Similarly, if pregnancy is multiple and between 29th week and 32nd week the medical certificate is required. The certificate shall state her fitness for travel, approximate due date of delivery and the number of weeks for which she is pregnant. The certificate shall be on official letterhead, stamped by attending doctor or midwife. This certificate would be valid for 3 weeks from date of issue.
Pls advise
Airline will itself cancel the flight if it is not possible to land in Kochi.
Please elaborate on what you intend to say. It is better to have the certificate from the treating or attending doctor, if possible.
From 29th month onwards and up to 36th week, the airline would need a medical certificate of her fitness and allow her to fly.
does it need pre-approval from the airlines if i am between 33 and 35 weeks pregnant?
any changes of the conditions or it is still up to 36 weeks of pregnancy?
Thanks
Yes it is a formal certificate and is to be issued on doc's letterhead. This certificate is to be submitted from the beginning of the 29th week to the end of the 36th week in case of single pregnancy.
yes, this is to be done. You can even show it during the time of checking at the airport.
Thank you!
Yes, you will need a fit to fly certificate.
Please clarify for my medical team.
Regards
Till the end of 36 weeks of pregnancy, women can be accepted for air travel by Etihad. From beginning of 29th week till end of 36 weeks, medical certificate is required.
Since airline prohibits travel from beginning of 37th week onwards, you are within this limit technically but we would suggest that you seek prior approval of airline for this purpose. Fit to Fly certificate would be required.
I am currently 29 weeks AOG of pregnancy, singleton and uncomplicated pregnancy, my due date via ultrasound is on April 24, 2016. Approximately my husband want to book a ticket on Feb 19, 2017, from Philippines going to Madinah Ksa. What requirements do I need to bring with me during travel or requirements needed prior to travel?
Good day and have a nice day.
Medical certificate is required. What is to be written or mentioned in this certificate is given in the webpage above.
she is traveling to USA from middle east.
can you inform about what to do ??
She will be required to produce a medical certificate from her attending doctor or mid-wife. This shall be done on the letterhead of doctor (hospital) or, if from midwife, than duly stamped by her. This certificate shall state that she is fit to fly, whether pregnancy is single or multiple, the number of weeks she is pregnant, expected date of delivery and shall be written either in English or in Arabic.
Many Thanks
Doctors do have these proforma. Please check the same with your doctor.
If there is no special assitance required, there is no real need for informing the airline.
You can book the wheelchair assistance for the whole journey and there will be no issue at all at any stage of he journey. No medical proof or document needed.
9 weeks pregnancy is no issue in flying. There shall not be any complication and it shall be a case of single pregnancy. She does not need a fit-to-fly certificate.
I plan to travel to South Africa in December my child will be 3 months old. would she need to pay for a flight ticket? and are there any special preparations iv to make prior to the flight
There is a Global service fee to be paid instead of a ticket. However, you will have to add an infant to the booking. PLease use this link for specific requirements for South Africa travel: https://www.etihad.com/en-us/experience-etihad/family-travel/prepare/
Else please contact the Etihad local office.
I am planning to travel in August 2016 where I will be 33 weeks pregnant with single pregnancy. Can you please suggest the procedure and guidelines for the same.
Thanks in Advance,
There will be a need to submit a medical certificate. The guidelines are mentioned in the content above.
If you have doctor pregnancy record chart, it can be taken. Else, you can carry a Fit to Fly certificate even if it is not needed in 22 weeks of pregnancy.
I have seen the policies of pregnant woman travel in etihad airways.Its shown that fitness for travel certificate from midwife is needed after 28 weeks pregnancy and can travel until 36 weeks pregnant.I am pregnant 22 weeks pregnant now
and my mid wife told their hospital will give certificate until 32 weeks pregnancy.can i know whether i can travel in etihad during 34 weeks pregnant and is there any approval form from etihad or etihad doctor approval is needed.
If you will not have the Fit to Fly certificate from attending midwife or doctor, you will not be able to fly.
For any assistance, please contact Etihad Airways directly.
Etihad allows pregnant women to travel till end of 36th week of pregnancy. Till 28th week, there is no need for any medical certificate but from the 29th week till 36th week, there is a need for Medical certificate. Medical certificate guidelines are given in content above.
The midical Certificate just write my doctor o there are some especial certificate that i have to take from your web site?
If something rong there are some doctot in the fly?
Thanke you
Alessia
If yours is a 1-child pregnancy, you will have to submit a medical certificate. This certificate shall meet following requirements:
Can the traveler bring his oxygen concentrator and sleep Apnea as additional hand luggage. Is there an extra fee? Can you provide a number to call for details and a convenient time EST.
Thanks.
You can call their toll free customer service number at 18002090808. Normally, these medical equipments are allowed in cabin but it is better to inform the airline about your special need in advance of travel date.
Thanks
Yes, you might be asked proof. You can carry your pregnancy progress chart with you which can satisfy the airline staff about your duration of pregnancy.
You will have to buy tickets for personal care attendants.