29.04.2026 07:52
A birth story that began in the sky and ended on the runway unfolded on a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Portland. A passenger whose labor pains started minutes before landing gave birth after an unusual intervention by the cabin crew and medical personnel who happened to be on board, using shoelaces.
According to reports in the US press, extraordinary moments occurred on a Delta Air Lines passenger plane traveling from Atlanta to Portland. Ashley Blair, a resident of Tennessee, gave birth as the plane approached Portland.
PAINS BEGAN IN THE AIR
The passenger's pains began approximately 30 minutes before the plane arrived at Portland International Airport. The cabin crew quickly took action, and coincidentally, emergency medical technicians Tina Fritz and Kaarin Powell, who were on board, assisted with the delivery.
INTERVENTION WITH A SHOELACE
Due to the lack of sterile delivery equipment on the plane, the teams developed creative solutions. A delivery area was set up using blankets collected from passengers, and the baby's umbilical cord was tied with a flight attendant's shoelace. The same lace was also used as a tourniquet to open a vein.
BORN AS THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN
The birth occurred as the plane touched down on the runway. The mother named her baby, who was born about two weeks early, "Brielle Renee."
After the plane docked at the gate, medical teams were brought on board to check on the mother and baby. Both were reported to be in good health, though they were taken to the hospital as a precaution.