Are you flying during your pregnancy? So what happens if you give birth on a plane? Woman gives birth on flight might sound cliché. But as filmy as it sounds, this really has happened in the past, and there is no certainty that it won’t happen again in the future.
So what happens if you give birth on a plane? How will the crew handle the situation? Do not worry because if such a situation is expected, the crew follows some measures to handle it. Generally, cabin crew are prepared during their training to handle in-flight childbirth. Satisfied? Not really!
The concern is way bigger than in-flight birth. There are a few things that come to everyone’s mind in case of such a situation. Don’t worry, we are here to calm your curiosity. The blog answers some of the most frequently asked questions about what happens if you give birth on a plane.
Whether you want to know about the child’s nationality or lifetime free air trips, we have given the answers. Read the blog to find out. Let’s get started.
What Happens if You Give Birth on a Plane?
The first question that comes to mind with this topic is: What happens if you give birth on a plane? If you are expecting and need to travel abroad, you should know that on-board deliveries can happen to any woman. I understand it is quite challenging and a matter of deep concern. The situation poses significant risks for expectant mothers and their unborn babies. Other than that, the situation becomes challenging for the plane's crew and passengers.
Thus, the question arises: What happens if you give birth on a plane? Are there any regulations for a woman who’s expecting? Is any medical care provided mid-air in case of an emergency? What would be the baby’s nationality?
Well, these are some general queries anyone would have in such a case. From a medical perspective, the crew takes certain measures if such a situation is expected. Simultaneously, from a legal standpoint, there are some provisions concerning the baby’s nationality and other rights.
What’s the Maximum Week of Pregnancy a Woman is Allowed to Fly?
If you are in the last few weeks of your pregnancy, it would be best to avoid flying during this period. But if you still need to fly and cannot avoid it, you should know that most airlines allow pregnant women to fly. However, they are only allied till their 36th week of pregnancy. In case you are expecting twins, triplets, or multiple pregnancies, the flying limit usually reduces to the 32nd week of your pregnancy due to the chances of early delivery.
Airlines usually don’t allow women to fly during their last month of pregnancy, as flying during the last month can be complicated. This is why mid-air deliveries are rare. In fact, if you are travelling after the 28th week of your pregnancy, the airline may ask for a medical certificate assuring that you are fit to travel. Additionally, the expectant mother must carry her maternity log.
Depending on the airline you are travelling with, the regulations may vary. It is advised to learn about the terms & conditions of the airlines regarding the expectant mother’s flying scenario before confirming your booking. Also, if you are planning to take a return flight, make sure your schedule aligns with the airline’s guidelines.
What Happens if Labour Starts Mid-Air?
Mid-air labour! Panicking in such a scenario is natural. But what really happens if labour starts mid-air? As a matter of fact, if your labour starts during a flight, the crew will transfer you to a spacious cabin of the aircraft, maybe a first-class or business cabin.
Then the crew will make an announcement to see if any medical professionals are on board. If so, the crew seeks assistance from them. However, if not, do not panic because it will only make the situation worse. Flight attendants receive first-aid training during their training period, but childbirth is not included. Most airlines have doctors or nurses on board who can help in such emergencies.
Although if the situation goes out of hand, pilots can opt for an emergency landing so that the mother in labour and her child can seek medical care as soon as possible. Considering some previous instances, mid-air births were manageable because medical professionals were on board.
Is it Common for Women to Give Birth in a Plane?
Moving forward, on what happens if you give birth on a plane, people ask, “Is it common for women to giving birth on a plane?” For what it is worth, women giving birth in a plane is not a common occurrence. Since airlines have strict policies regarding expectant mothers flying during their last trimester, the chances are rare.
What Nationality does the Child Hold Who is born on a Plane?
Moving on to the next question, “What nationality does the child hold who is born on a plane?” Well, the situation is dependent on several factors. Different countries have different rules regarding the newborn child’s citizenship. For instance, if a child is born mid-air in a German region, the government says the child will automatically acquire German citizenship. However, at least one parent must be German.
The territorial principle, depending on the country's laws, may require that a newborn child be granted the nationality of the country where the baby is born. Suppose you give birth at sea; the newborn will acquire the nationality of the country where the airline is registered. The nationality rules may vary from country to country.
What About the Baby’s Birth Certificate?
If a woman gives birth on flight, the birth certificate will show that an airplane is the birthplace of the newborn baby, mentioning the coordinates of the flight’s location. On the contrary, the nearest airport where the plane will land after birth will be shown on the baby’s birth certificate. This way, authorities can have a clear idea of what to document for a mid-air birth case.
Sometimes, “on board an aeroplane” or “in the air” will be recorded on the baby's birth certificate. Usually, the country where the plan lands after the baby's birth issues the baby’s birth certificate. Whereas, in some cases, the airline’s registered country will issue the certificate, depending on the country's laws.
Do babies born on a Plane Get Free Flights Throughout their Lives?
Babies born on a plane get free flights throughout their lives! As a matter of fact, this is a myth to some extent. Not every airline is entitled to offer free flights to babies born on an aeroplane for the rest of their lives. However, some airlines have granted babies born on planes lifetime free flights. AirAsia, Thai Airways, Asia Pacific, Polar Airlines, and more airlines have granted such privileges.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, “What happens if you give birth on a plane?”, we would say that delivering a baby on a plane is a rare occurrence. Airlines have strict regulations against expectant mothers flying after the 36th week of pregnancy. This is actually for your own safety. You may get assistance on the plane by the crew or any medical professional, but it is better to do it the conventional way. No woman should take that risk, as it is the best choice for them and their future babies. For any expecting mothers out there, if you are planning a babymoon, make sure to travel before your last trimester. Hope you found the blog helpful. Stay safe, may you have a healthy baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if a baby is born on an airplane?
If a baby is born on an airplane, the pilot will land at the nearest airport, and the authorities will send the mother and her newborn to a hospital for medical assistance.
Do you get free flights if you give birth on a plane?
Not all airlines do, but some, such as AirAsia, Thai Air, Asia Pacific, and more, offer lifetime free flights to those born on board.
Where is your citizenship if you were born on a plane?
When born mid-air, the baby will automatically acquire the citizenship of the country where the plane was flying. However, this depends on the respective country's laws. In some cases, “in air” or “born on board” is mentioned in the baby’s birth certificate.