LONDON- Travelers on a Wizz Air (W9) flight from Jordan (AMM) to London (LTN) experienced an unexpected addition when a newborn baby joined them upon disembarking.
Approximately two hours into the Amman to Luton Airport flight, a woman went into labor, prompting 28-year-old junior doctor Hassan Khan to respond swiftly.
Wizz Air London Flight with Extra Passenger
Upon the crew’s call for a doctor, Dr. Khan, who works at Basildon Hospital in Essex, volunteered to assist the woman, who was lying outside the cockpit door. The incident unfolded during Dr. Khan’s holiday trip to Jordan with friends.
Drawing on his experience in the neonatal resuscitation unit, Dr. Khan played a crucial role in assisting the baby girl, who initially appeared ‘a little blue.’
Dr. Khan elaborated, saying, “I informed the flight attendants about the necessary equipment, including a neonatal-sized oxygen mask, a clamp for the umbilical cord, and a stethoscope – none of which were available on the plane, naturally.”
With the assistance of Dr. Khan and a passenger fluent in Arabic who translated for the unnamed woman, a healthy baby girl was successfully delivered, relying solely on the use of towels.
Subsequently, the Wizz Air flight diverted to Brindisi Airport in Southern Italy to ensure the new mother and her baby girl could receive the necessary medical treatment.
Dr. Khan mentioned, “I ended up being tardy for my shift due to this diversion, but fortunately, they were highly impressed and requested a comprehensive update. My consultant extended congratulations, affirming it was an exceptionally well-executed job. People were deeming it miraculous, and I only fully grasped its significance after being able to process the entire situation.”
The little girl’s birth on the Wizz Air flight marks the 75th baby born on a commercial flight. Dr. Khan noted that the woman and her family provided updates from the Italian hospital, confirming the well-being of both the mother and the baby.
“It brought about a considerable sigh of relief, offering a positive resolution to the entire ordeal,” he remarked.
Not An Easy Task
Experiencing labor more than 30,000 feet in the air is far from ideal, but most flight attendants undergo training for basic medical emergencies. A flight attendant once shared with Business Insider, “I could deliver a baby if I have to.”
In such situations, pilots are informed, and they frequently inquire if there is a doctor or nurse among the passengers who can provide assistance during the birth.
However, the baby’s citizenship can become a point of contention. When a baby is born over land, some countries automatically grant citizenship, as is the case in the United States.
Several factors include the country where the plane is registered, the parents’ nationality, and the destination.
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