Kids ASK! about Myths & Facts

I must confess that I have always somewhat believed that if a baby is born on a plane, he or she will get free air travel on that carrier for the rest of his/her life. The truth is, airlines do not offer free air travel for babies born on their flights. It is an urban legend that has caught on in the public’s imagination, and one people believe is the reason for airlines’ restrictions on having pregnant women on board.

The real reason why airlines are very particular about having pregnant women in their third trimester on board is more medical than anything else. Pregnancy, if complications occur, can be dangerous for the mother and baby without professional help. Pregnant women also run risks of blood clot and inflammation in the veins of their legs when sitting too long. Air humidity in planes is kept at 8 percent and therefore it is easy to be dehydrated when on a plane. Different airlines have different regulations and many require a doctor’s letter if traveling within 30 days of due date of birth.

You can read here for information of restrictions some airlines have and here on risks of travel when pregnant.

That said, there have been 2 cases where babies have been given a lifetime of free travel from the airline carrier they were born in. In 1995, Dararasami Thongcharoen was born 2 months earlier than scheduled and it happened on Thai Airways. In addition to being able to fly for free on Thai Airways, she also got an educational scholarship and is considered a “daughter of Thai Airways”. The other baby, Mohd Aliff Mohd Fuad, was born in 1996 on Asia Pacific Airlines and he too got a lifetime of free air travel and education sponsored by the airline.

The other question commonly asked is of course what citizenship a child gets if he or she is born on a plane or on a ship in international waters. What do you think?

Reference:
Mikkelson, B. (2007, July 18). The plane truth. Retrieved January 24, 2009, from snopes.com Web site: http://www.snopes.com/pregnant/airbaby.asp

Easmon, C. (2005, April 1). Pregnancy and travel. Retrieved January 24, 2009, from netdoctor.co.uk Web site: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/travel/diseases/ &pregnancy_and_travel.htm

If you want to read more about urban legends, here are books you can check out at our libraries.

For Children:

Image retrieved from www.amazon.com

Urban legends by Rachel Lynette
Publisher: Detroit : KidHaven Press, c2008
Call Number: J English 398.2 LYN -[FOL]

Image retrieved from shopping.discovery.com

Mythbusters: don’t try this at home! by Mary Packard
Publisher: San Francisco, Calif. : Jossey-Bass, c2006
Call Number: J English 507.8 PAC

For Adults:

Image retrieved from www.amazon.com

Lemmings don’t leap: 180 myths, misconceptions and urban legends exploded by Edwin Moore
Publisher: Edinburgh : Chambers, 2006.
Call Number: English 001.96 MOO

Singapore urban legends: myths & mysteries, edited by Tee Hun
Publisher: Singapore : SPH Magazines, 2005.
Call Number: SING English 398.2095957 SIN

All websites are last accessed on 24 January 2009. Please refer to the terms and conditions on the homepages for use.
For the availability of the above book titles, please check the library catalogue.

Answered by Felicia Chan,

Librarian, Children’s Services