A sky baby refers to a child born on an airplane while in flight. The term “sky baby” originated because these babies are born at high altitudes, up in the sky. Some key facts about sky babies:
How Often Do Sky Births Occur?
Sky births are rare events. On average, only around 1 in every 26 million flights results in a baby being born mid-flight. However, it’s estimated that over the past few decades, more than 1 baby per week is born during commercial airline flights worldwide.
Why Might a Woman Go Into Labor on a Plane?
There are a few reasons why a pregnant woman might go into labor unexpectedly during a flight:
- The change in air pressure during takeoff and landing could trigger contractions.
- Sitting immobile for long periods can bring on labor.
- Dehydration from air travel could cause early labor.
- Stress and anxiety about flying could lead to preterm labor.
Women are generally advised to avoid air travel late in pregnancy for these reasons. But sometimes labor happens unexpectedly before the due date.
How Do Airlines Handle a Sky Birth?
Major airlines actually have procedures in place to handle a birth in flight. This may include:
- Announcing a request for medical personnel onboard to assist.
- Diverting the flight to the nearest airport if necessary.
- Clearing space and providing privacy for the birthing mother.
- Using the onboard first-aid kit for delivery supplies.
- Having flight attendants assist as needed.
Some airlines also require flight attendants to be trained in childbirth and emergency delivery procedures. However, a doctor, nurse, or EMT with medical training may need to take the lead if they are onboard.
Famous Cases of Sky Births
While rare overall, some sky babies have made headlines over the years:
- 2019: A baby boy was born on a Spirit Airlines flight from Tampa to Baltimore.
- 2017: A baby girl was born mid-air on a Southwest Airlines flight and was given free air travel for life by the airline.
- 2016: A mother gave birth unexpectedly on a JetBlue flight from San Juan to Fort Lauderdale.
In these cases, flight attendants, nurses, and doctors onboard helped safely deliver the sky babies as the planes made emergency landings.
Are Sky Babies Considered Born in Flight?
This was unclear for many years, but in most countries today, babies born on airplanes are considered to be born in the country where the plane is registered. For example:
- On a United Airlines flight (registered in the USA), the baby would be considered born in the USA.
- On a Lufthansa flight (registered in Germany), the baby would be German-born.
However, for births that occur closer to the departure or arrival port, local laws may treat the baby as born in that country’s airspace.
Benefits of Sky Birth Citizenship
Being born mid-flight can actually lead to some advantages for a baby:
- May receive free air travel from the airline they were born on.
- Will have a unique story about their unconventional birthplace.
- Could have citizenship/nationality privileges in the airline’s country.
Of course, these perks come after the challenges involved with delivering a baby naturally at 30,000 feet!
Conclusion
In summary, a “sky baby” refers to the rare occurrence when a child is born naturally on an aircraft mid-flight. While uncommon, these in-transit births must be handled carefully by airline staff and medical volunteers. Sky babies gain access to a special community as well as some unique privileges. Their birth certificates designate the airline’s home country rather than the departure or arrival ports. Although challenging, successfully delivering a baby amidst the clouds makes for an exciting birth story that sky babies can cherish forever.