In a rare and surprising event, Turkish Airlines Flight TK538 from Conakry (Guinea) to Istanbul (Turkey) gained an unplanned passenger. A baby girl was born at 42,000 ft (12,800 m) when a woman went into labor mid-flight.

The mother, Nafi Diaby, was a passenger who was 28 weeks pregnant—a gestational age typically permitted to fly under airline regulations. However, shortly after takeoff, Nafi began suffering intense labor pains.

Cabin Crew Becomes Emergency Delivery Team

In the absence of a doctor on board, the Turkish Airlines cabin crew responded quickly and professionally, transforming into an impromptu delivery team. They moved Nafi Diaby to an empty row of seats, providing a more private space, and began assisting with the birth.

The incident was made even more remarkable when one of the flight attendants, Bouthayna Inanır, recounted: “The mother gave birth while standing, and we received help from several other passengers.” The seamless coordination between the attendants and passengers ensured both mother and baby were safe in the pressurized, high-altitude environment.

The baby girl, named Kadiju, was successfully delivered. The name now carries the unique significance of her extraordinary birthplace.

Safe Landing and Health Declaration

Following the miraculous birth, the plane landed routinely in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). The mother and baby Kadiju were immediately met by local medical teams and transferred to the hospital for specialized care and monitoring. Both were reported to be in good health, a phenomenal outcome for a preterm birth at 28 weeks that occurred under non-ideal circumstances.

Turkish Airlines quickly shared the joyful news on Twitter, welcoming its youngest ever member: “Welcome on board Princess!” Kadiju’s story became not only a personal memory but also a memorable brand story, demonstrating the professionalism and adaptability of the Turkish Airlines crew in any situation.