Baby Born In-Flight Delivered by Flight Attendant and Passengers

With so much unsettling news surrounding air travel lately, it’s refreshing to hear about a true miracle in the skies. A Brussels Airlines flight from Dakar, Senegal, to Brussels, Belgium, recently became the scene of an unforgettable moment when a baby girl was born mid-flight

Shortly after takeoff, Ndeye, a passenger onboard, began experiencing intense abdominal pain. Flight attendant Jennifer Joie, trained for nearly any in-flight emergency but never expecting this, quickly called out for medical assistance. A 22-year-old newly graduated nurse named Lore and a doctor onboard stepped forward without hesitation.

As Ndeye’s contractions intensified, the team moved her to the galley—transforming the narrow space into a makeshift delivery room. Joie provided calm, steady support while the nurse and doctor guided Ndeye through breathing techniques. Before long, her water broke, and in a truly awe-inspiring moment, baby Fanta made her entrance into the world.

The cabin erupted into quiet cheers as the doctor confirmed the baby was healthy. With Ndeye momentarily unable to hold her newborn, Joie cradled little Fanta in her arms until mother and daughter could be reunited. “I still don’t quite realize what happened,” Joie shared afterward. “Helping deliver a baby was something I’d only ever imagined. In another life, I might have been a midwife.”

Brussels Airlines later celebrated the miraculous birth on social media, describing the event as a ”true reflection of teamwork, care, and the extraordinary moments that happen in the sky. Welcome to the world, little Fanta! We hope to have you on board again one day.”

A rare occurrence, a 2020 study by the International Society of Travel Medicine reported that at least 74 babies have been born on commercial flights between 1929 and 2018.

While flying while pregnant is generally considered safe, there are limits. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises that most pregnant people can travel domestically until 36 weeks. However, individual health factors—like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or a history of preterm labor—may prompt doctors to recommend avoiding air travel earlier.

For many, the story of Joie, nurse Lore and the anonymous doctor who came together mid-flight serves as a reminder of the compassion and teamwork that can shine through in unexpected moments—even 30,000 feet above ground. And for little Fanta, it’s one heck of a birth story to tell.