Passenger gives birth on plane right before take off

A flight waiting to depart from Istanbul almost left with an extra passenger.

The New York Post reports the Pegasus Airlines flight from Istanbul to Marseille, France was making the final preparations for take off when a passenger went into labour.

Flight attendants and paramedics responded to the incident at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, as passengers allegedly watched in shock.

Video footage shows passengers clapping upon the arrival of the new-born, as a medical crew carried the baby towards the back of the plane.

The child and mother were reportedly taken to hospital for further care.

While this baby wasn’t born mid-flight, sometimes births do happen in transit.

In 2020, one woman gave birth on a Fuller ferry from Waiheke Island to Auckland, with the helping hand of crew onboard.

It was the second baby born onboard a ferry from Waiheke in the last six months.

Fullers360 fleet operations manager Megan Watson said at the time: "Our people are trained to provide assistance and support in situations like this, and we are proud of how they responded and supported our passenger, and her midwife, during this time.”