Woman gives birth on Philippines Airlines flight from Qatar

It’s only happened about 50 times in the world – but when it does, you want a crew like this by your side.

A baby girl has been born alive and well on board a Philippine Airlines flight from Doha to Manila.

The baby, named Scarlet Ann, was born at 7.20am on November 20, just two and a half hours before flight PR685 landed in Manila.

The flight, which was carrying 320 passengers, made a safe landing after being flown by Captain Rainiel Viola.

The baby girl was born healthy and happy.

The baby was born on a flight from Doha to Manilla.

According to the airline’s spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, the plane’s cabin crew worked together in handling the in-flight birth.

Two of the crew members, Merian Buan Ventura and Philip King Aguilar, are registered nurses, while Marc Anthony Cue, Clinton Ros, Ann Claire Reboron, and Scarlett Mercado assisted.

“Flight attendant Merian, assisted by FS Philip, cut the umbilical cord and attended to the medical needs of the mother,” Ms Villaluna explained on Facebook.

The baby was born two and a half hours before landing in Manila.

“FS Philip and FS Mark helped the mother gently down on the blankets they positioned on the cabin floor while FA Ann wrapped the baby with a blanket to keep her warm.

“FA Scarlet sealed off the area for privacy. While mother and child rested side-by-side, two medical doctors on board – Dr Evelyn Bunye and Dr Christy Lamonosa visited the area to check on them.

“Two mothers on board donated infant’s clothing.”

According to Simple Flying, while births on board a flight are quite rare – with it happening to just one in 26 million passengers – it’s been recorded that just 50 ‘skyborns’ have been recorded in the world.

Typically, when a baby is born on-board, it tends to be an unexpected delivery that takes place prematurely of the baby’s due date. According to The Points Guy, airlines try to minimise the risks of this with policies for pregnant women. For example, American requires a doctor’s note for expectant mothers travelling within 30 days of their due date.

Birth on board a flight happens to every one in 26 million passengers.

While cabin crew receive first aid and medical training, this doesn’t normally cover a mum going into labour.

When this does happen, the crew may call upon any travelling medical professionals among the passengers to assist. During this time, airlines typically arrange for the flight in question to divert.