A passenger gave birth aboard a commercial flight in the United States, delivering a baby girl mid-air shortly before the aircraft’s scheduled landing, in an unexpected in-flight emergency that required immediate assistance from crew and medically trained passengers.

The incident occurred on a Delta Air Lines flight travelling from Atlanta, Georgia, to Portland, Oregon, a journey of more than five hours. The woman, who was pregnant when she boarded the aircraft, went into labour with approximately 30 minutes remaining before landing.

The baby girl, weighing around 2.5 kilograms, was born about two weeks earlier than expected while the aircraft, a Boeing 737, was still in flight. The situation prompted the crew to coordinate an emergency landing upon arrival.

According to the airline, assistance was provided by flight attendants as well as a doctor and two nurses who happened to be among the 152 passengers on board. The aircraft was operated by two pilots and four cabin crew members trained to handle medical emergencies.

Delta Air Lines issued a statement thanking both its crew and the medically trained passengers who intervened during the delivery, and extended well wishes to the newborn and her mother.

Emergency services were waiting on the ground upon landing in Portland, and the aircraft was given priority clearance by air traffic control. The landing proceeded without complications.

The airline noted that while some carriers impose restrictions on late-stage pregnancy travel, Delta does not enforce such limitations. The mother and newborn are reported to be in good health following the incident.