Airlines

Woman gives birth to surprise baby on KLM flight from Ecuador

A passenger who didn’t know she was pregnant gives birth mid-flight.

On a KLM flight last week from Ecuador to Amsterdam, a young woman unexpectedly gave birth to a baby, according to the Dutch hospital that took care of the passenger.

Crying baby on 29-hour flight sparks debate as travellers demand child-free flights(Opens in a new browser tab)

On Wednesday, the woman felt abdominal ache and went to the bathroom a few hours before landing. She gave birth to her son there, according to the Spaarnse Gasthuis hospital, after only a few brief contractions. She was unaware that she was pregnant, the hospital added.

Wowza, woman gives birth on transatlantic flight, DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS PREGNANT. Everyone healthy now ? https://t.co/YUMZRbUAlh
— ednl ?? (@ednl) December 11, 2022
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Two Austrian medical professionals—a doctor and a nurse—were on the aircraft and able to help. The mother gave her kid the name Maximilian, according to the hospital, in honour of one of the individuals who helped her.

Once at Schiphol Airport, the mother was brought to the hospital. Spaarnse Gasthuis, which also prepared for the required papers so she can continue her journey to Madrid as originally planned – now holding a child in her arms – stated that both mother and son are in good health.

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Airlines

A Costly Mistake: Passenger Pays for Fuel After Disruptive Flight

A Western Australian man has learned a costly lesson after his unruly behavior on a flight resulted in the aircraft having to turn back. The passenger was ordered to pay over $5,000 in fuel costs, along with a significant fine, for causing the plane to divert.

The incident occurred in September 2023 when the man, who was not publicly named, became disruptive on a flight from Perth to Sydney. Due to his behavior, the pilot was forced to turn the plane around and return to Perth, which required dumping fuel to land safely.

The passenger pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behavior and non-compliance with safety instructions. As a result, he was ordered to pay $8,630 to the airline to cover the cost of the wasted fuel and was also fined $6,055. This combined penalty of over $11,000 is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disruptive behavior on flights.

While this is not a typical punishment, other cases of in-flight misconduct have resulted in hefty fines. One passenger in the United States was fined over $40,000 for a series of offenses, including bringing their own alcohol on board, being intoxicated, attempting to smoke marijuana, and sexually assaulting a flight attendant.

The Australian Federal Police emphasized that disruptive behavior on flights will not be tolerated. They warned that individuals who cause disturbances can face significant financial penalties and legal consequences. The case of the Western Australian passenger serves as a clear message that obeying airline staff and adhering to safety regulations is essential for a smooth and safe flight.