Summary
- A midair birth occurred on a Finnair flight, showcasing the airline’s emergency preparedness.
- The incident raises complex questions about a newborn’s citizenship under the “jus soli” vs. “jus sanguinis” principles.
- An off-duty firefighter and the onboard flight attendant assisted in the swift delivery, ensuring the mother and baby’s health.
Onboard medical emergencies can be very distressing, ranging from cardiac arrests to injuries like the turbulence event on SQ123 not so long ago. But at times, they can also come with a happy event, like what happened on a Finnair flight to Paris.
What exactly happened?
According to Aviation 24, extraordinary events unfolded on Finnair flight OH-LXF (Airbus A320) from Helsinki to Paris Charles-de-Gaulle on Friday morning when a woman unexpectedly gave birth mid-air. The woman, who was reportedly unaware of her pregnancy, went into labor about an hour before the scheduled landing.
Photo: Getty Images
Despite the unexpected events, the flight continued as planned and safely landed at Charles-de-Gaulle airport, where a medical team was ready to assist the mother and the newborn. An off-duty firefighter and a flight attendant were onboard, and he played a crucial role in assisting with the birth. The first responder described the delivery as swift in the plane’s restroom. The baby boy and the mother were reported to be in good health upon landing. The mother and her baby were reported as safe and well.
Photo: Emirates
Like all other airlines worldwide, Finnair ensures its staff are trained to manage various in-flight emergencies and can consult with healthcare professionals via satellite phone if necessary. The airline’s policy allows pregnant women to fly up to the 36th week of pregnancy for flights over two hours.
Related
Finnair Opens Expanded Lounge At Helsinki Airport
The lounge will accommodate 440 people in the airport’s Schengen departures area, including passengers with oneworld Emerald frequent flyer status.
This rare event left the flight with one additional passenger upon arrival in Paris, illustrating the unpredictable nature of air travel.
Simple Flying reached out to Finnair but has yet to receive a response.
What nationality would the newborn have?
The concept of citizenship by birth is a complex issue explored in previous discussions, with no easy answers. The debate revolves around two fundamental principles: “jus soli” (right of the soil) and “jus sanguinis” (right of blood).
In France, a child born in the country can acquire French citizenship if their birth is registered at a local courthouse by the family.
Additionally, in Finland, a child automatically becomes a Finnish citizen at birth if at least one of the parents is a Finnish citizen, regardless of the place of birth. This means children born to at least one Finnish citizen parent are eligible for Finnish citizenship.
According to Businessday NG, citizenship is granted based on different principles in some countries. For instance, in the United States, if a child is born on a plane over U.S. territory or within its airspace, they are automatically granted U.S. citizenship based on the principle of “jus soli,” which confers citizenship to individuals born within a country’s territory, including its airspace.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom follows the “jus sanguinis” principle, where the parents’ nationality determines citizenship. This means babies born to non-British parents while flying over the UK’s airspace typically do not acquire UK citizenship.
Bottom line
A remarkable incident on a Finnair flight from Helsinki to Paris saw a woman unexpectedly give birth mid-air, illustrating the unpredictable nature of air travel.
The successful delivery, aided by an off-duty firefighter and a flight attendant, underscores the importance of in-flight emergency preparedness. Finnair’s staff training and policies ensure readiness for various situations, aligning with global airline standards.
The incident also surfaces complex questions about the newborn’s citizenship, highlighting the intricate interplay between “jus soil” and “jus sanguinis” principles. Ultimately, this event marks a rare and heartwarming addition of a passenger before landing in Paris.