Passenger gives birth during flight from Jamaica to New York

A woman gave birth over the weekend during a flight from Jamaica to New York.

Caribbean Airlines said the “medical event” occurred on flight BW005, which departed from Kingston on April 4. “Upon arrival, the mother and newborn were attended to by medical personnel and are receiving the necessary care,” the carrier told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

In audio published by CBS News, an air traffic controller can be heard telling the pilot to suggest the passenger name the baby “Kennedy,” as the plane was scheduled to land at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

There was no emergency declared during the flight, Caribbean Airlines added. “The airline commends the professionalism and measured response of its crew, who managed the situation in accordance with established procedures, ensuring the safety and comfort of all onboard,” the company said.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the airport, referred a separate request for comment to the airline.

Caribbean Airlines welcomes pregnant customers onboard without medical clearance through the end of their 32nd week of pregnancy. “Between the 32nd and 35th week, medical clearance is mandatory,” the airline said on its website.

Passengers are not permitted to fly after 35 weeks of pregnancy. The carrier did not specify how far along the passenger who gave birth was.

The incident is not the only one of its kind in recent years. A woman went into labor just before takeoff on a Pegasus Airlines flight from Istanbul to Marseille, France in 2023.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caribbean Airlines traveler gives birth during Jamaica-New York flight