Back in 1990, Debbie Owen thought her
British Airways flight from Ghana to the UK
would be routine. Seven months pregnant, she was traveling solo with her four-year-old daughter, Claire, while her husband stayed behind.
But shortly after takeoff, what had started as mild twinges turned into contractions. Although her baby was due seven weeks later, Owen knew this little one had other plans. Despite a recent doctor’s check-up clearing her for travel, early arrival was clearly on the agenda.
Click through the gallery to find out how in-flight births happen, how airlines handle them, and just how rare these airborne arrivals really are.