Mexicana Passengers Deal With Rare Event

It seems passengers on airlines these days are being called on to deal with all sorts of situations. Turbulence, terrorists, shrinking knee room, unruly passengers, bad or no meals, flatulence... it's a real jungle up there.

Passengers aboard a Mexicana Airlines flight Wednesday night may have thought they'd seen it all, but if we've learned anything here at ANN over the past few years when it comes to commercial air travel, it's to expect the unexpected.

The flight departed Guadalajara, Mexico enroute to Chicago's O'Hare International Wednesday afternoon. All went smoothly until a 42-year-old woman realized she couldn't wait, or rather her baby couldn't wait, to land... her unborn baby!

That's right, about a half-hour before arriving at O'Hare, the woman gave birth to a healthy, 7-pound, 8-ounce girl.

Luckily for both Mom and baby, there was an obsetrician aboard who assisted with the birth.

 Paramedic Lori Perez told the Chicago Sun-Times, "Mom was in good spirits, she said there was a doctor on board and that she wasn't in a lot of pain. The baby girl was not really crying; she was alert and looking around."

It isn't clear whether or not Mom presented a Doctor's authorization to fly when six months or more into a pregnancy as is required by Mexicana Airlines.

As for citizenship? Well, if the baby was born in US airspace she's eligible for US citizenship. A spokeswoman for US Immigration Services told the Times the parents can file an application and officials will investigate exactly where the aircraft was when the birth occurred.

So next time you're on a commercial flight, forget the terrorists, bad food and cramped seats. Forget wondering who the Air Marshals are or where the nearest exit is. Find out if there's a Doctor aboard, or you might be delivering the next little bundle of joy.

Better yet, just bring a good book, relax, settle in... and expect anything!

FMI: www.mexicana.com