Thread: Woman who gave birth on China Airlines flight wanted to deliver baby in US airspace

Q&A: When Can Baby Fly?

Keep these tips in mind when it is necessary to take your newborn on a plane.

By Dr. Laura Riley from Parents Magazine

OksanaKuzmina/shutterstock.com

Q. When can we take our baby on an airplane to go see Grandma?

A. An airplane is no place for a newborn. Many planes use recirculated air, which means that if one person has a cold, his germs are broadcast throughout the plane by the ventilation system. That's no problem for adults, whose mature immune systems can fight off germs. But an infant's immune system is no match for some of the viruses and bacteria that float around on airplanes and in airports. If Grandma can't come to you, wait until your baby is at least 2 months old--and preferably 4-6 months old--before taking a flight.

When you do take baby up into the friendly skies, buy her a seat. Airlines allow babies and young children to ride on a parent's lap for no fee, but that's not a safe place for them if the plane hits turbulence or has to make an emergency landing. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), parents should secure children in an "appropriate restraint." Most car seats fit the bill.

Before you fly, check your car seat for a label that identifies it as certified for use in planes. If there is no label, look at the seat's instructions or contact the manufacturer. A car seat should fit into most airplane seats if the car seat is no wider than 16 inches. If you have questions about whether your car seat will fit, call the airline and ask.

If you're feeling queasy about the idea of spending a whole lot of money on an airline ticket for a baby, ask your airline for a discounted fare. Many airlines offer discounts of up to 50 percent for children under age 2.

Originally published in You & Your Baby: Pregnancy.
All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this site and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.

http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/wee...-can-baby-fly/

When is it safe to fly with my baby?
Expert Answ



The BabyCentre editorial team

Our panel of health writers.


It's probably sooner than you think. If your baby is at least two days old, most airlines should be happy for him to fly. However, some airlines will insist that your baby is at least two weeks old.

There are no standard regulations, so it's best to check with your airline before you book. Some airlines may ask you to provide a fit-to-fly letter from your doctor if your baby is less than two weeks old.

If your baby was born early, you will have to count from his due date, not the day he was born.

If you gave birth by caesarean section, you may need to wait until after your six-week postnatal check-up before you take to the skies. Even then, you should only fly when your GP gives you the all clear.

It's usually easier to wait a few weeks before flying, to give you both time to settle into life together. Also, your baby is more vulnerable to germs during his first month. So you may not want to coop him up with dozens of strangers on an aeroplane.

If he has a cough, cold or ear infection, he is more likely to suffer unpleasant ear-popping when flying due to the changes in air pressure. Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding your baby during takeoff and landing will help his ear pressure adjust and reduce any ear pain.

Give him regular drinks of water during the flight too, as babies are particularly prone to dehydration. If you have any worries about his health, check with your GP before flying.

Even though your baby may be sitting on your lap for the flight, you need to book him a ticket. Most airlines charge for babies to fly.

Ask if you can pre-book a travel cot for your baby. Or arrange to take along your baby's car seat for him to sit in.

If you're flying abroad, your baby will need his own passport.

It's best not to take your baby to places where there are diseases he isn't old enough to be vaccinated against. For instance, if your baby is younger than two months old, it's not safe for him to take anti-malarial medicine. And if he is younger than six months, he can't be vaccinated against yellow fever.

Check with your GP if you plan to take your baby to a country where vaccinations are needed.

Now that you know when it’s safe to fly, check out these other top tips for travelling with a baby.

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/x539495/...#ixzz3pEhJE8DL

Air China Pregnancy, Infant and Child Travel Policy

www.kidsonaplane.com/air-china-flying-with-kids-policy/
Infants (under 2 years old) - You must obtain approval from Air China to travel with an infant. The infant should be over 14 days old and if ...

Woman Who Gave Birth on Plane Allegedly Deported, May Owe Airline $33,000

Mark Shrayber 10/23/15 3:45pm

Two weeks ago, a heroic doctor delivered a baby while 30,000 feet in the air, on a flight from Taiwan to Los Angeles. This week, reports say that the Taiwanese woman whose labor diverted the plane to Alaska may be on the hook for $33,000.

That’s because she may have planned to give birth in American airspace in order for her baby to gain American citizenship.


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The Associated Press reports that the unnamed woman, who’s been sent back to Taiwan without her baby (for reasons that are not not totally clear), has been under suspicion since the story made headlines. That’s due to the fact that she lied to officials about how pregnant she was (36 weeks as opposed to under 32) in order to board the flight and allegedly asked the cabin crew, “Are we in U.S. airspace?” shortly before she went into labor.

(This couldn’t be verified according to The AP.) A passenger told Inside Edition, however, that when she told customs about what happened on the plane, she was informed that women coming to America from other countries to give birth is not uncommon.

If any of this is true, China Airlines may ask the new mother to pay at least $33,000, which was the cost of diverting the plane in order to make sure the child was safe. She may also be in legal trouble in Taiwan:

The incident has garnered widespread attention in Taiwan, even rising to the level of parliamentary debate earlier this week.

“This is a selfish act,” ruling party legislator Luo Shu-lei shouted to the transportation minister during a session Monday. “It was clearly an act carried out to give the child U.S. citizenship. She affected the travel of other passengers. Is there no punishment?”

Alaskan state officials say that the baby is eligible for American citizenship even though it was born in the air. In fact, according to authorities, the baby would have been eligible for citizenship even if it had been born in international airspace, just as long as America was the first place the baby arrived.

http://flygirl.jezebel.com/woman-who...y-o-1738306039

Alaskan state officials say that the baby is eligible for American citizenship even though it was born in the air. In fact, according to authorities, the baby would have been eligible for citizenship even if it had been born in international airspace, just as long as America was the first place the baby arrived.

What a load of crapola! The baby should be awarded the same citizenship as his (or her) mother has since the birth was not in the United States.