A Ryanair flight en route from Belgium to Spain was forced to make an emergency landing in France after a pregnant passenger went into labor and delivered her baby mid-flight, according to multiple reports.
Flight FR4797, which departed from Brussels Charleroi Airport and was headed to Castellón, Spain, was about an hour into its journey when the unexpected medical emergency unfolded.
As reported by Business Insider, the aircraft diverted to Limoges – Bellegarde Airport in central France to allow the mother and newborn to receive immediate medical attention.
The flight-tracking website Flightradar24 confirmed the unscheduled landing, which occurred around midday. The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, delivered her child with the assistance of the cabin crew and two medically trained passengers who were on board.
“In-flight births are rare, but cabin crew are trained for such emergencies,” a Ryanair spokesperson told reporters. “We commend our crew and the medical professionals who helped ensure the safety of both mother and baby.”
Although Ryanair has not officially commented to media outlets, similar incidents have occurred in the past. In February, a Brussels Airlines flight experienced a comparable situation, with crew members and two passengers helping a woman give birth mid-air.
“As a cabin crew member, you train for everything, even childbirth — but nothing prepares you for the real thing,” one flight attendant said in a statement after that event.
Thursday’s Ryanair flight remained on the tarmac in Limoges for approximately 90 minutes before resuming its journey. Despite the emergency landing, the plane arrived in Castellón less than two hours behind schedule, though it did operate with delays for the remainder of the day.
Current airline policy prohibits pregnant women from flying beyond their 36th week of pregnancy, or 32 weeks if carrying twins or more. A “fit to fly” certificate from a doctor is typically required after 28 weeks of gestation.
The guidelines are in place to prevent exactly these kinds of in-flight medical emergencies, which pose risks to both mother and baby due to limited onboard medical resources and potential complications.
After giving birth, women must wait at least two days before flying again, and longer if a caesarean section was involved. Newborns are also required to be at least eight days old and accompanied by an adult before they can board a commercial flight.
While urban legend has it that babies born mid-air receive free flights for life, this is rarely true. Business Insider noted that some airlines have provided symbolic rewards.
One woman born on a plane was granted two first-class tickets upon turning 18, while another baby reportedly received a million frequent-flyer miles.
Despite the disruption, passengers on board expressed admiration for how calmly the situation was handled. “It was an unforgettable flight,” one traveler posted on social media. “We witnessed a new life begin at 30,000 feet.”
The mother and child were reported to be in stable condition following their arrival at a hospital in Limoges.
