January 24th, 2009
If a baby is born on a plane, does he get free air-travel for the rest of his life?
Kids ASK! about Myths & Facts
I must confess that I have always somewhat believed that if a baby is born on a plane, he or she will get free air travel on that carrier for the rest of his/her life. The truth is, airlines do not offer free air travel for babies born on their flights. It is an urban legend that has caught on in the public’s imagination, and one people believe is the reason for airlines’ restrictions on having pregnant women on board.
The real reason why airlines are very particular about having pregnant women in their third trimester on board is more medical than anything else. Pregnancy, if complications occur, can be dangerous for the mother and baby without professional help. Pregnant women also run risks of blood clot and inflammation in the veins of their legs when sitting too long. Air humidity in planes is kept at 8 percent and therefore it is easy to be dehydrated when on a plane. Different airlines have different regulations and many require a doctor’s letter if traveling within 30 days of due date of birth.
You can read here for information of restrictions some airlines have and here on risks of travel when pregnant.
That said, there have been 2 cases where babies have been given a lifetime of free travel from the airline carrier they were born in. In 1995, Dararasami Thongcharoen was born 2 months earlier than scheduled and it happened on Thai Airways. In addition to being able to fly for free on Thai Airways, she also got an educational scholarship and is considered a “daughter of Thai Airways”. The other baby, Mohd Aliff Mohd Fuad, was born in 1996 on Asia Pacific Airlines and he too got a lifetime of free air travel and education sponsored by the airline.
The other question commonly asked is of course what citizenship a child gets if he or she is born on a plane or on a ship in international waters. What do you think?
Reference:
Mikkelson, B. (2007, July 18). The plane truth. Retrieved January 24, 2009, from snopes.com Web site: http://www.snopes.com/pregnant/airbaby.asp
Easmon, C. (2005, April 1). Pregnancy and travel. Retrieved January 24, 2009, from netdoctor.co.uk Web site: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/diseases/ &pregnancy_and_travel.htm
If you want to read more about urban legends, here are books you can check out at our libraries.
http://blogs.nlb.gov.sg/ask/adults/860But I read somewhere saying that it will be hard to determine the citizenship as citizenships are granted upon the country you gave birth to the baby...
like this news...
http://cbs2.com/national/Immigration.baby.plane.2.275751.htmlCitizenship Uncertain For Baby Born On Plane
Baby Girl Was Born On Flight From Mexico To ChicagoCHICAGO (CBS)
Immigration officials say it remains to be seen whether a baby girl born aboard a plane just before it landed in Chicago will be a U.S. or Mexican citizen.
Maria Elena Garcia-Upson is a spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She says a child born in airspace over U.S. territory is eligible for citizenship.
But the parents have to file an application, and then officials have to investigate whether the child was born in Mexican airspace or international waters, Garcia-Upson said.
A 42-year-old woman gave birth to the 7-pound, 8-ounce girl late Wednesday night on a Mexicana Airlines flight from Guadalajara, Mexico.
An obstetrician traveling on the plane helped with the birth about an hour before the plane touched down.
The woman was on her way to visiting her in-laws in Milwaukee.
