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A Caribbean Airlines passenger gave birth aboard a plane that landed at John F. Kennedy Airport Saturday (April 4), according to an ATC recording obtained by CBS News.
The newborn was delivered on Boeing 737 Max 8 Flight 005 from Kingston, Jamaica, as the plane made its final approach just before noon local time and a ground controller suggested a creative name for the new mother.
“Tell her she’s got to name it Kennedy,” the ground controller said.
The pilots on board asked officials for a quicker landing amid the emergency.
“Descend and maintain 3000, Caribbean 005, and we have a passenger that’s going into labor at this time, and we’d like to continue direct Zetal,” the pilot said in the audio clip.
The air traffic controller misheard the pilot and thought there was a "sick passenger" on the plane.
“We have a passenger, a pregnant passenger, who’s going into labor at this time, requesting direct Zetal,” the pilot said.
Air traffic control gave the green light for the direct approach and medical personnel was waiting at the gate.
“Kennedy Tower, Caribbean Airlines 005, descending through 2,200 for 2,000 direct ZETAL, with one woman in labor on board,” the pilot said.
The JFK ground controller welcomed the flight and asked about the status of the child.
“Caribbean five, ground. Is it out yet?” the airport official asked, to whch the pilot responded, "Yes, sir."
A child was previous previously born at JFK to a 33-year-old mother midway through a Royal Jordanian flight in January 2015.