Pregnant Woman Over 35W Delays Flight After Refusing to Leave

A Tibet Airlines flight from Chengdu to Shijiazhuang was delayed for more than an hour on Monday after a pregnant woman, who told the crew she was over 35 weeks along, was asked to disembark but refused to leave.

Videos shared online show several flight attendants standing near the aircraft door as frustrated passengers watch the standoff unfold.

The incident occurred on Tibet Airlines flight TV9975, scheduled to depart Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport at 5:15pm. The plane eventually took off at 6:46pm, more than 90 minutes behind schedule, according to the flight-tracking app Feichangzhun.

A passenger surnamed Zhang told Jimu News that the woman had informed flight attendants of her pregnancy after boarding, requesting special care. When told that she could not fly due to safety regulations, she refused to leave. Police were eventually called on board, and only after their mediation did the woman and her husband disembark.

Tibet Airlines' customer service responded to Jimu News that the delay was caused by a passenger issue but declined to provide further details.

According to the airline's policy, women who are 35 weeks pregnant or more, or within four weeks of their due date, are not permitted to fly for safety reasons. The rule also applies to those expecting multiple births, at risk of delivery complications, or who have given birth within the past week.

Pregnant passengers between 32 and 35 weeks must present a medical certificate issued within 72 hours by a county-level or higher hospital and sign a risk acknowledgment form before boarding. Those under 32 weeks are generally allowed to travel without restrictions, unless advised otherwise by a doctor.