Ever wondered about the most unexpected place to give birth? How about 40,000 feet in the air? Crazy, right? And while we’re on the topic, have you ever pondered on what happens if a baby is born on a plane? And you thought finding an open bathroom on a flight was hard!
Citizenship of a Baby Born on an International Flight
Sky-High Births and Citizenship – It’s Complicated
Listen up, folks: If someone’s past the 36-week mark in their pregnancy, it’s typically a no-go for air travel. Why, you ask? Well, the last thing airlines want is for mothers to have to answer the question, what happens if a baby is born on a plane? Nobody’s trying to handle an in-flight birth! 🤷♂️ But surprise, surprise, some babies just can’t wait. Now, besides the obvious Oh my God, I just gave birth on a plane dilemma, there’s the whole “What’s my baby’s nationality? conundrum. Yep, the skies bring more than just turbulence.
The Laws of Land, Blood, and… Clouds?
So, how does a country decide which passport stamp your little airborne bundle of joy gets? Let’s break it down.
Jus Sanguinis (Right of Blood): Here, it’s all about family ties. If mommy and/or daddy are, say, Brazilian, then baby gets to samba as a Brazilian citizen too.
Jus Soli (Right of the Soil): Birthed on the land (or air) of a nation? Welcome aboard! Most countries in the Americas, like the US and Canada, are all in for this. But have you ever wondered what countries give citizenship by birth in the sky? With air travel bursting at the seams, this rule had to soar sky-high, too.
Imagine popping a baby over US airspace. Thanks to jus soli, your kiddo can now belt out the Star-Spangled Banner. And hey, if the parents hail from a place where what countries give citizenship by birth is determined by blood, there’s a potential bonus of dual citizenship! 🌎✈️
But, don’t think you can swing by over France and secure a French passport for your newborn just ’cause you’re in their skies. If you’re American, baby’s rockin’ the red, white, and blue. You see, globally, it’s the blood tie that binds most.
What If Things Get, Well, Murky?
Picture this: A baby born in international airspace with a mom who doesn’t have an official citizenship (yeah, talk about drama). What then? Good news! The UN’s got your back. They’d usually point to the country where the plane is registered.
But Really, How Often Does This Happen?
Now, don’t start thinking this happens every other flight. These mid-flight miracles? They’re rarer than a peaceful toddler on a red-eye. Heck, most airlines don’t even bother counting!
I mean, let’s be real: try boarding a flight in your third trimester, and you might get more side-eye than a person trying to sneak a water bottle through security.
By the way, a little birdie (or maybe a plane?) told me this story first flew around in 2020 but has been jazzed up for 2023.
Disclaimer: Always consult with airlines and proper authorities about travel during pregnancy. The sky’s the limit, but safety first, right? 😉
Frequently asked questions:
Do you get free flights if you are born on an airplane?
Yo, you heard that chat about peeps born on planes getting free rides forever? Sounds dope, right? But, real talk, it’s mostly just a tall tale. Only a couple of airlines might’ve hooked up newborns like that, but it ain’t a common thing.
Has anyone given birth on a plane?
Whoa, that Emirates flight from Tokyo to Dubai on January 19 had a surprise twist! Mid-flight, one of the passengers popped out a baby! Talk about some in-flight entertainment, huh? ✈️👶🏼
What happens if a baby is born in space?
So, here’s the deal: Gravity does its thing and helps shape up your bones, making ’em sturdy. Just like muscles need a good workout, bones need some stress to stay strong. If not, they become like wet noodles, especially in the arms and legs. Without gravity, you’d have some fragile twigs for limbs!