153 Passengers, Then 154: Baby Born Mid-Air On US Flight Just Before Landing

Last Updated:April 28, 2026, 17:01 IST

Delta Airlines passenger Ashley Blair gave birth midflight from Atlanta to Portland, aided by off-duty paramedics, baby and mother were healthy and taken to a local hospital.

Delta Airlines welcomed a 5 1/2 pound girl after she was delivered in one of its flight from Atlanta just before landing at Portland International Airport in Oregon.

According to Associated Press, a passenger gave birth with the help of two paramedics, who were on the flight on April 24 night. They borrowed blankets from other passengers and using a shoelace to tie off the umbilical cord. The baby, named Brielle Renee Blair, came about two weeks ahead of schedule.

The mother, Ashley Blair, who is from Tennessee, was flying to Oregon to be with her own mother for the birth.

AP quoted one of the paramedics, Tina Fritz, saying that she and the other paramedic, Kaarin Powell, were returning home after a holiday in the Dominican Republic. She further said that they were helping a nurse attend to the medical needs of another passenger at the back of the plane when a flight attendant asked them to check on Blair.

Upon checking, the paramedics found Blair to be in labour and contractions were getting closer. They then got blankets from other passengers and a shoestring from a flight attendant to tie off the umbilical cord. Powell used one of her own shoes laces to use as a tourniquet to start an IV. After this, it was time for the mother to deliver her baby.

“Baby pinked up right away," Fritz said. “She was gorgeous. Mom was a rock star."

AP reported that Powell cut the umbilical cord and sat down while holding the baby as the plane touched the runway.

As the aircraft came to a halt, the paramedics handed over the baby to Blair and everyone celebrated by taking photos.

Later, Port of Portland spokesperson Molly Prescott told AP that a responding crew from Portland Airport Fire & Rescue “found the mother and baby healthy, and the new family was transported to a local hospital for observation".

“We extend our sincere thanks to the crew and medical volunteers on board who stepped in to provide care to a customer onboard prior to landing in Portland. The health and safety of our customers is always our top priority, and we wish the new family all the best," Delta said in the statement.

News world 153 Passengers, Then 154: Baby Born Mid-Air On US Flight Just Before Landing

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