Flight Crew Welcomes Unexpected Passenger While 34,000 Feet Above The Ocean

A woman who was flying from Ghana to the U.S on a United Airlines flight gave birth to a baby boy Sunday.

United Airlines boasted that its crews “acted quickly” to ensure there was a safe delivery during the 11-hour flight Saturday into Sunday. Flight 997 was 34,000 feet above the Atlantic ocean, flying from Accra, Ghana, to Washington Dulles International Airport. There was no possible place for the plane to land when the baby boy was born almost a month prematurely.

After the pilot issued a call for assistance, Dr. Ansah-Addo, a Ghanaian doctor practicing in the U.S., was in communication with a flight attendant who fortunately was a retired nurse, when she helped the mother deliver the healthy baby boy.

The baby made his appearance two hours prior to landing. The mother and the infant were met by paramedics in Dulles, Virginia. The time of birth was early Sunday morning, around 3:40 A.M

The mother who wished to be referred to only “GG” was extremely thankful to those who helped and supported her through the delivery.

“We were especially thrilled to see the plane land with one extra, especially beautiful, customer onboard,” the airline said.