The Unique Reality of Being Skyborn at 39,000 Feet
15 February 2024
Debbie Owen assumed that the British Airways flight from the Ivory Coast to London Gatwick would be straightforward: seven hours non-stop, swapping the heat of Africa for the cozy pre-holiday glow of Britain. At seven months pregnant, Owen was traveling solo back to the UK with her four-year-old daughter, Claire; husband Duncan was still at home in Africa and would follow closer to the birth. However, it wasn’t long after take-off that the twinges started, soon turning into contractions. Owen knew her baby wasn’t due until Christmas, seven weeks later. She had even visited her doctor before the flight and had a letter deeming her safe to travel. Nevertheless, it was clear that her second child was planning an early arrival.
Initially, Debbie fought the contractions, hoping to reach a hospital, but it soon became evident that her baby would touch down before the plane did. The crew took care of Claire, while a Dutch doctor, Wym Bakker, en route home from providing maternity care in Ghana, took charge of the birth. The flight was just off the coast of the UK when the baby was born; she would be named Shona Kirsty Yves, or SKY. Interestingly, Duncan didn’t receive the news from his wife: “The pilot phoned my father himself to say, ‘This is the BA pilot, and your wife is going into labour,’” recounts Shona, now in her thirties.
Shona is one of an estimated 70 people worldwide known as skyborns — impromptu deliveries that increase the passenger manifest mid-flight. While creating a digital journalism project, Shona developed a website and community for skyborns and researched the history of births like hers. There have been a few noteworthy cases in recent years. Matthew Dulles de Bara made headlines when his mother delivered him mid-air between New York and Orlando. Another bonus passenger emerged in 2015, a little girl born on a flight from Taipei to Los Angeles. Virgin Atlantic’s first birth at 36,000 feet occurred in 2004, with a baby named Virginia. In January 2023, another mother gave birth during a lengthy overnight Emirates flight from Tokyo Narita to Dubai International.
Shona was particularly thrilled to uncover the story of the first recorded baby born mid-flight. Found in an obscure clipping from a Florida newspaper dating back to 1929, the tale involved a father who, being an aeroplane enthusiast and a doctor, flew his wife in circles at 2,000 feet until she gave birth. They named her Airleen. Additionally, Shona found records of twins — one born in flight and the other upon landing. Unfortunately, there have also been cases where babies were abandoned in airplane bathrooms. Notably, Shona mentions that no official data on skyborns is held by airlines or medical associations. Furthermore, a 2020 study published by the International Society of Travel Medicine revealed that 74 infants were born on commercial flights between 1929 and 2018, 71 of which survived.
Such occurrences are exceedingly rare, happening in approximately one in every 26 million passengers, according to MedAire, an aviation medical support firm. “In-flight childbirth is extraordinarily rare, and those that occur are usually unexpected — cases of premature babies,” says Dr. Paulo Alves, the company’s global medical director. “It’s not an ideal place for childbirth due to the thinner air, making it harder for the baby to breathe, akin to giving birth in a high-altitude location.” Additionally, there are no prenatal experts with necessary medical equipment aboard to assist during childbirth emergencies like an emergency C-section, which presents significant risks during delivery.
Furthermore, the dangers extend beyond premature births. Laura Einstetler, a pilot for a major US airline and blogger as Captain Laura, learned this firsthand. “On one flight, a passenger nearing seven months pregnant began to hyperventilate,” says Einstetler. “We were two-and-a-half hours from the closest airport but managed to stabilize her after some anxious moments.”
An estimated 70 people worldwide are known as skyborns — impromptu deliveries that increase the passenger manifest mid-flight.
Current procedures for in-flight births are generally informal. Often, as in Debbie Owen’s case, the pregnant passenger might be moved to a more spacious seat in business or first class, or an area might be cleared in the galley. Emergency landings are unlikely; as Einstetler explains, “It would take a minimum of 45 minutes to reach a hospital from an altitude of 39,000 feet. This option is disruptive for all passengers and costly for the airline.” As a result, cabin crew typically act as ad hoc midwives while the plane proceeds to its destination.
Aviation regulations surrounding pregnant travelers are murky. There isn’t a universal rule: Some airlines refuse to carry women past 36 weeks of pregnancy, while others accept them up to 40 weeks, requiring appropriate medical documentation. “The recommendation is that pregnant women avoid flying within four weeks of their due date and consult their physician before flying,” says a representative from Delta Airlines.
As for citizenship status for children born at 36,000 feet, this can vary as well. Dr. Alves from MedAire explains, “There is no universal rule, but generally, an aircraft is considered the jurisdiction of the country to which it is registered.” However, most children receive citizenship based on their parents’ nationality, adhering to the policy of jus sanguinis, or right of blood. Some countries use jus soli, or right of soil, which grants citizenship based on the location of birth. The 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness comes into play rarely, typically only if the child would otherwise be stateless.
Shona Owen possesses a UK passport, but her unusual place of birth has led to confusion during renewal attempts. Initially noted on an official observation page as “Holder born on an airplane 10 miles south of Mayfield, Sussex,” the passport format eliminated this page when updated, forcing her to select “born at sea” as the closest available category.
Despite passport challenges, a successful in-flight birth brings joy to both parents and airlines, often resulting in promotional opportunities. For instance, Virgin provided one baby with free flights until age 21, while British Airways gifted Shona a pair of tickets for her 18th birthday, which she chose to use to visit her grandmother in Australia. Although free flights for life remain more of a fantasy, Owen often shares her story during check-in, leading to complimentary upgrades — an added perk that enhances her travel experiences. Fittingly, Owen has pursued a career in travel, currently working for iBestTravel’s UK office.
