Report: Woman Gives Birth on Southwest Airlines Flight

December 10, 2014

Passengers report that the captain and flight crew called for medical assistance aboard flight 623, but most were unaware of the nature of the medical emergency. The baby was born with the help of a doctor and nurse who happened to be on the plane. One of the pilots, Captain John Gordy, praised air traffic controllers for quickly arranging the unscheduled landing at busy LAX airport. The newborn arrived 15 minutes before the plane landed.

Paramedics met the plane at the gate to give immediate attention to the new mother and her baby, who are in good condition at an LA hospital.

Following the hospital transfer, the remaining passengers — who applauded when the captain announced the birth — were allowed to exit the flight. They were boarded on another Southwest plane to continue on to their original Phoenix destination.

Photo: Getty

Vicki Clinebell majored in journalism at the University of Colorado and headed to an advertising agency before beginning a long career in broadcasting, spanning production and copywriting to Sales and Management for an ABC affiliate station.

Her decision to switch gears to pursue a career in writing fulfilled a lifelong ambition. She started as a blogger for a diverse group of businesses, and now writes for a number of digital publications for companies stationed in her hometown in the Rocky Mountains, and provides advertising copy and media buys for national and regional clients. She finds the research as intersting as the writing—she loves learning about subjects as diverse as construction scaffolding, child safety seats, and the newest trends in beauty and fashion.