How does a flight arrive with 165 passengers when it left with 164? Ask Nereida Araujo.
Araujo was 38 weeks pregnant and had to fly from Tampa (TPA) to Pittsburgh (PIT) via Charlotte (CLT). She was cleared by her doctor for the pair of short flights and settled back, hoping there would not be turbulence enroute.
While there was no clear air turbulence or spilled beverages, there was certainly another type of turbulence: her water broke toward the end of the flight.
And this little baby was ready to enter the world…
Paramedics and the Charlotte Fire Department met the flight. Araujo was rushed to the jetway. There, she promptly gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
She named her baby Lizyana Sky Taylor.
Speaking to WSOC, Araujo stated:
I was sleeping and I felt like a pop in my lower back. I just felt like liquid and I woke my husband up.
Happy Thanksgiving…
Another passenger onboard helped her with her breathing and the pilot received clearance to expedite the landing.
Her short layover in Charlotte turned into a little longer…
Everybody was so great. They’re like my heroes. It was an experience that I will always remember.
Welcome to the world baby Sky!
There’s no word yet on how American Airlines may reward the little Sky. When a similar incident happened on Spirit Airlines in 2017, the budget carrier gifted the newborn (and companion) annual free birthday flights for life.
image: Nereida Araujo
They are smiling now. Wait until they see how much AA will charge them for missing their connection and rebooking on a new flight.
Seriously though, wonderful story and glad mom and baby are doing well.
Hope they didn’t end up going to the hospital. Otherwise AA’s charge will pale in comparison.