I might have to fly to Sydney in March by which time I will be 32 weeks pregnant. My Dr says I can get away with it until 34 weeks and I think Cathay take you up to 34 weeks, but I am obviously concerned that it is a 9 hour trip and i will be big.
My name is Miranda. My husband is from Hong Kong and I'm from the States. We just gave birth to our first child this past November but I returned to the States to give birth--I couldn't fly after 32 weeks (airline regulation) so I returned at 28 weeks--it was seriously no problem.
You will need a note from your doctor saying you're in good health to fly and when you get to the airport they will call the captain and crew on the plane and ask them and then they will give you the final go-ahead--but if you're in good health it isn't a problem.
You say you're flying 9 hours to Sydney? I was in transit for 26 hours--with a layover in Korea and two in the USA before I made it to my destination. My actual flying time was over 22 hours so I think 9 hours should be a breeze. However, flying late in pregnancy isn't really comfortable--for example, I couldn't really fit my belly behind the dining tray etc. Also, my ankles and legs swelled a lot--but I've heard you can help with this by wearing pressure pantyhose--anyway, a direct flight to Sydney--or even one layover sounds like a breeze compared to what I went through but you should be just fine--even at 32 or 34 weeks.
I just flew back from Sydney at 28 weeks recently. It was fine, except it does become uncomfortable sitting in the same position for so long and being so far along.
There is a Travel insurance policy that will cover pregnant women upto the 36th week of pregnancy whilst travelling. Or the 18th week if the pregnancy is the result of any kind of fertility treatment.
I flew back from Brisbane on Qantas at 33 weeks and there was no problem. They will take you up to 36 weeks as long as you have a 'fit to fly' letter from your dr.