Guide to International
Airline Breastfeeding Policies by Continent

Via Flickr – by oatsy40
Table of Contents
Overview
Africa/Middle East
Asia/Pacific
Europe
Latin America/Caribbean
North America
Overview
Though
breastfeeding is widely recommended for babies, moms nursing in public often find
themselves under scrutiny. This is especially true when trying to nurse a child
within the tight quarters of an airplane.
Unfortunately, many
airlines do not offer official breastfeeding policies, and as a result, it can
be difficult for mothers to know what situations they might run into once they
take flight.
In
order to better inform moms, where possible, this guide presents the policies
of major international airlines listed by continent. Where official policies
weren’t readily available, it provides information, pulled from outside
sources, regarding what it’s like to nurse on an airlines’ flights.
Airlines With Policies
Africa/Middle East
Emirates Airline
?
Through EmiratesBaby.com, a mother says she was told by the airline that
breastfeeding mothers are asked to be “well covered.”
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information, contact Emirates Airline.
Qatar Airways
?
Official Breastfeeding Policy
?
For more information, contact Qatar Airways.
Royal
Air Maroc
?
Here a breastfeeding mother recounts her experience
nursing on Royal Air Maroc.
?
No policy is listed.
?
No response to our policy guidance request was
received.
?
For more information, contact Royal Air Maroc.
South
African Airways
?
Here a mother recounts her experience on an SAA
flight.
?
No policy is listed.
?
No response to our policy guidance request was
received.
?
For more information, contact South African Airways.
Asia/Pacific
Air New
Zealand Group
?
NursingInPublic.com presents a response on Air New Zealand’s
breastfeeding policy from its PR and social media manager.
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information, contact Air New Zealand.
Asiana
Airlines
?
AirlineTrends.com reports that the airline provides free nursing
covers through its Happy Mom program.
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information, contact Asiana Airlines.
JAL Group (Japan
Airlines)
?
Consumerist.com explains that on some flights Japanair provides
a special space where mothers can nurse in private.
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information, contact JAL Group.
Malaysia Airlines
?
The airline provides Lactation Rooms at certain airports.
?
No official in-flight breastfeeding policy.
?
For more information contact Malaysia Airlines.
Qantas
?
PhDinParenting.com mentions that Qantas encourages nursing mothers
to do so during take off and landing.
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information contact Qantas.
Singapore
Airlines
?
In this customer service response shared on BritishExpats.com, an SA representative explains that nursing on
their flights is allowed, and states, “All crew are aware that breastfeeding in
public is internationally acceptable.”
?
No policy is listed.
?
No response to our policy guidance request was
received.
?
For more information, contact Singapore
Airlines.
Virgin Australia
?
Official Breastfeeding Policy
?
For more information, contact Virgin Australia.
Europe
Air France KLM
?
In the comments of this article, a commenter notes that she has never had
difficulty nursing on an Air France flight “with or without a cover.”
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information, contact Air France KLM.
British Airways
“British Airways is fully supportive of a mother’s choice to breastfeed
her baby, when traveling with us – therefore you do not need to ask the cabin
crew on your flight if you are allowed to do so. You are also welcome to
breastfeed during take-off and landing if necessary, as long as both yourself
and your baby are wearing your fastened seat belts.
We appreciate that there could be times when a fellow passenger might
feel uncomfortable when sitting next to/near a feeding mother, and in this case
the cabin crew would see if they can re-seat either of you to ensure you both
continue your journey as comfortable as possible.”
~British Airways
Flybe
?
In this forum, a mom reports nursing her child on a Flybe
flight during takeoff and landing and doesn’t report having any problems.
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information, contact Flybe.
Icelandair Group
?
Per this response via Twitter, Icelandair welcomes mothers
breastfeeding on their flights.
?
For more information, contact Icelandair Group.
Lufthansa
?
According to PhDinParenting.com, Lufthansa requests that mothers use a cover
when nursing their child.
?
No policy is listed.
?
No response to our policy guidance request was
received.
?
For more information, contact Lufthansa.
Ryanair
?
Via the Babyworld forum, a mom reports having nursed her children on
several Ryanair flights without any problems.
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information, contact Ryanair.
SWISS
“We do not have an actual breastfeeding policy in itself.
The rules on SWISS would be the same as in daily life.
It is in order for mothers to breastfeed discreetly
at their seat. Should the fellow passengers in her
immediate vicinity object to this, the Maître de Cabine may request mothers to
please move to the galley or any other more secluded part of the aircraft.
It is not possible to take pre-pumped breastmilk onboard,
as no bottled liquids over 100ML are permitted through the security control.”
~SWISS
Turkish Airlines (THY)
?
A commenter in the Moms4Moms.com forum says flight attendants advise mothers to nurse
during take off and landing.
?
No policy is listed.
?
No response to our policy guidance request was
received.
?
For more information, contact Turkish Airlines.
Virgin Atlantic
?
In PopSugar’s Circle of Moms forum a mom reports
breastfeeding her child on a Virgin Atlantic flight without any problems.
?
No policy is listed.
?
For more information, contact Virgin Atlantic.
Latin America/Caribbean
Avianca
?
Response from Avianca
Customer Service:
“We would like to inform you that
we do not have a policy for breastfeeding that has terms and conditions.”
North America
Air Canada
?
Response from Air Canada Customer Service:
“Air Canada does not have a policy on breastfeeding.”
Airlines Without Policies
*We’ve reached out to these airlines to find out more about their
policies and are awaiting their responses.
Africa/Middle East
Air Mauritius
Air Namibia
Air Tanzania
Arik Air
Camair-Co
ECAir
Egypt Air
El Al Israel Airlines
Etihad Airways
Ethiopian Airlines
Fastjet
Gulf Air
Iran Air
Kenya Airways
Kuwait Airways
Middle East Airlines
Royal Jordanian
Rwandair
Saudi Arabian Airlines
Starbow
Tunisair
Asia/Pacific
AirAsia
Air China
ANA
Cathay Pacific
China Airlines
Hainan Airlines
Jet Airways
Korean Air
THAI
Vietnam Airlines
Europe
Adria Airways
Aegean Airlines
Aer Lingus
Aeroflot
AirBaltic
AirBerlin
Air Europa
Alitalia
Atlasjet
Austrian Airlines Group
Finnair
Luxair
Nordwind
Pegasus
SAS
Thomson
Volotea
Latin America/Caribbean
Air Caraibes
Bahamasair
Caribbean
Cayman Airways
Cubana de
Aviación
Inselair
LAN
LATAM
TAM Linhas Aereas
North America
AeroMexico
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