Ryanair flight from Brussels to Castellón made an unexpected turn when a woman gave birth to her baby mid-air. The unplanned arrival took place on 8 May 2025, one hour after the departure at an altitude of 18,000 feet.
The flight, which typically takes two hours to get to Castellón, left Brussels at 1:28 pm but as the woman started going into labour, the Ryanair crew made a quick decision to divert to the nearest airport.
When looking for a person on board with medical experience or willing to assist, Kathleen Depoorter, a Belgian member of parliament, stepped in and worked alongside the crew. She was travelling with her son, Sebastiaan, to Castellón to celebrate his birthday with his grandmother.
“I saw a woman come out of the bathroom and explain to the stewards that she was feeling unwell,” Ms Depoorter told The Olive Press.
“When I heard her say that she has been pregnant for 37 weeks, all of my alarms started going off.”
“I asked the pilot to make an emergency landing, and he complied,” she added.
The Belgian MP had studied pharmacy plus her son was a doctor and could also assist. They collaborated with other medical specialists on the aircraft to guarantee the baby’s safe arrival.
“Helping deliver a baby, 25 years after the last time I gave birth myself, is a very special feeling, especially on an airplane,” Ms Deeporter said.
The flight safely landed at Limoges, France, where medical personnel had been stationed and waiting. Luckily, both the mother and newborn daughter were reported to be in good health. Following a brief 90-minute stop, the flight continued to Castellón, but slightly late.
Even though flying is safe for expectant mothers and their babies, some airlines will not allow passengers to travel if the pregnancy is in its final stages. For example, Ryanair has rules that require medical clearance after 28 weeks and does not permit flying after 36 weeks.
The flight attendants may be taught to handle medical emergencies, but in most cases, they tend to get help from passengers with prior experience in medicine. Although in-flight deliveries are rare, when they happen, it is a story to be remembered.
