AND FINALLY: The name is Nikolai

Crew working Lufthansa flight LH543 from Bogota – Frankfurt faced an extra task on Wednesday when a baby was born on board 39,000ft above the Atlantic. Place of birth: 49degN, 21degW (Lufthansa is thorough with its facts). His name is Nikolai and he and the mother, from Bulgaria, are fine.

Crew moved passengers to the front of the A340-300 and the rear became an impromptu delivery room, closed off with a privacy screen. Aircraft commander Kurt Mayer then diverted to Manchester so further medical care would be available as soon as possible.

Inflight births are rare – this was only the 11th for Lufthansa since 1965. Women with uncomplicated pregnancies may fly with the airline until the end of the 36th week but the airline recommends they consult their gynaecologists before flying after 28 weeks.

www.lufthansa.com

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Simon Grigor, Harrow

Interesting to note that, for 'immediacy', a Bogota to Frankfurt flight diverted to Manchester. I've flown that route, with Lufthansa, and I don't recall it going anywhere near the UK!