While no formal declarations have been made on the subject, it is known that roughly 60 babies have been born in the sky and are referred to as “skyborne” or “airborne.” A plane may not be the ideal delivery room for a future mother, but it has happened before — and in certain cases, the newborn was rewarded with unique gifts and privileges.
It is up to the crew to determine whether or not an emergency landing is required.
Even though most airlines now have limits on how far along a pregnant woman can be while flying (typically no later than 38 weeks or 30 days before the due date and confirmed by a doctor’s letter), unexpected labor can still occur.
Even though it’s uncommon, if it does happen and a lady goes into labor, the crew is limited. First and foremost, flight attendants are untrained in childbirth. At that point, everyone will be hoping that the airplane has a doctor or a nurse on board.
The flight attendants will function as midwives and deliver the baby if there are no medical experts on board. If there is no option for them to make an emergency landing, the flight will most likely proceed to its original destination.
There is no one rule that relates to the citizenship of the newborn.
While the restrictions aren’t carved in stone and can vary depending on the airline and the country over which the plane is traveling, one thing is certain: the kid will inherit the same citizenship as its mother and father.
The other two options are for the kid to gain citizenship in the country where the plane is registered or where it is at the time of delivery. For example, if a baby is born in any portion of the United States, even the air, it will automatically become a citizen of the United States. A baby delivered in British airspace, on the other hand, will not receive UK documentation.
Some airlines may provide the baby with complimentary tickets.
There are rumors circulating that babies born aboard planes are entitled to a lifetime of free travel. Regrettably, this is not true for everyone. Only a few babies have been given free flights for life, including a baby boy born on an Indian airline and a girl born on an Egyptair trip.
Babies born on Polar Airlines, AirAsia, Asia Pacific Airlines, or Airways flights — as well as one baby born on a Virgin Atlantic aircraft — were given free tickets until they turned 21. In 2017, a boy was born on a Spirit Airlines aircraft and was given complimentary tickets for life on his birthday, as well as an extra guest passenger.
The plane might be renamed after the baby.
A JetBlue flight with an extra passenger landed in 2019. The crew and accessible medical staff assisted in the delivery of a baby boy hundreds of kilometers away. After the infant and their youngest customer, they christened the plane “Born to Be Blue.”
The airlines may even provide gifts to babies. A baby girl was born aboard a Chick-fil-A flight in 2018. She was provided food for the rest of her life and was even promised a job when she was old enough.
The baby’s health may be jeopardised.
There are several reasons why giving birth on an aircraft is not the best option. To begin with, the air is thinner up there, making it difficult for the baby to breathe. Second, there is no high-tech equipment on a plane to assist with labor, especially if an emergency C-section is required. Additionally, due to the air pressure, the newborn’s ears may struggle.
Even though giving birth in the air is uncommon, the crew will ensure that the mother is as secure and comfortable as possible. The mother may be transferred to a more spacious section of the plane, such as first or business class.
What country did you come from? Do you have a friend or family member who was born on a plane? What destinations would you go to if you could travel for free for the rest of your life?
