My trip to Australia in early 2017 included a lot of firsts for me. It was my first time flying international first class (SEE: United Polaris First SFO to ICN: A review), my first transpacific flight, and my first time (that I can recall) on a 747. And it was the first time I’ve been on a flight that had to be diverted!
My ticket to Australia was already a bit roundabout. Instead of booking a non-stop from SFO to Sydney, I had instead looked for options with a connection in Asia. I pulled the trigger on a route that included SFO-ICN-SYD. One of my goals for this quick trip was a lot of flight time in a premium cabin, and this routing gave me a 12-hour flight in United Global First, and then a 9 hour flight in Asiana business class. All for 80,000 United miles.
I never expected to tack on a stop in Alaska.
A smooth flight goes south (or…north?)
At about 2:20 p.m Pacific time while on United Airlines flight 893 from SFO to Seoul Incheon (ICN), I felt the plane bank for a fairly prolonged time, and immediately wondered what was going on. We were now flying straight north when we should have been going east.
A minute later the captain announced that we would be diverting to Anchorage, stating that one of our fellow passengers was going into labor(!), and we needed to get her off the plane ASAP. We had been in the air for about 3 hours, and Anchorage was the only reasonable destination for an emergency diversion. You can see the diversion on the Flight Aware map.
Previously, a flight attendant announced that they were seeking a doctor on board, specifically an OBGYN, if available. I didn’t think much of it at the time. It turned out to be the very beginning of a crazy few hours!
The entire first-class cabin was abuzz just minutes after the news, both because of the diversion and because a baby might possibly be born onboard the aircraft! Anchorage International Airport was an hour out, and the flight crew set up a makeshift birthing area in the back galley of the plane. Things were serious.
The flight attendant in first informed us that she would certainly keep us appraised of the situation. Since several of us were up and moving about already, she also invited us to come back and watch the fuel being dumped. Unfortunately, we missed that spectacle by a minute or two.
Our emergency diversion
We landed in Anchorage without incident, and there were fire trucks and medical personnel waiting for us. The woman was transported off the plane by a paramedic crew and rushed to the hospital. No baby was born in the air, but it was certainly coming today!
Emergency personnel on the ground in ANC
One of the two medially-trained passengers who assisted the woman said he thought she maybe had an hour before delivery. Had we been a bit further from an airport, that baby just might have had free flights for life or a million air miles!
Things just keep getting weirder
The excitement of the diversion hadn’t even yet abated, when the entire first-class cabin suddenly had their smartphones pointing at a DreamLifter taking off from Anchorage. I’ve read about Boeing’s giant cargo planes, but this was the first time I’d laid my eyes on one! It was impressive.
To top things off, two other passengers in the first-class cabin then got engaged on the spot! The man had planned to pop the question to his girlfriend in a few days in Sydney, Australia (oddly enough where I was headed), but apparently decided that an impromptu diversion to Alaska would be just as suitable an occasion (they had also been drinking…quite a bit).
Another of the first-class passengers ended up de-planing in Anchorage since he would no longer be able to make a business meeting in Korea. At the captain’s request, the flight attendants kindly moved the nurse who had assisted the woman from economy to first. Win for her.
After refueling and other necessary operations, we finally took off from Anchorage about 4:00 p.m. local time, arriving in Seoul right around 7:00 p.m. Korean time. Fortunately, this allowed me to still make my 8:00 connection to Sydney (SEE: Asiana business class review Seoul to Sydney), although I didn’t get any time to wander Incheon airport.
Still, looking back on the experience, I wouldn’t change a thing. I can honestly say it was one of the weirdest travel days I’ve had, and I am so glad I was along for the ride. I just hope the woman had a quick and easy labor (once off the plane) and delivered a healthy baby.
This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as thepointsguy.com. This may impact how and where links appear on this site. Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers and that compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners and I do not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers and other offers and benefits listed on this page. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Other links on this page may also pay me a commission - as always, thanks for your support if you use them
User Generated Content Disclosure: Points With a Crew encourages constructive discussions, comments, and questions. Responses are not provided by or commissioned by any bank advertisers. These responses have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the responsibility of the bank advertiser to respond to comments.
Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I did that UA 893 flight in United Global First, using miles, on August 29, 2016, but my flight was not at all as exciting as yours. However, it was my first time in United’s international First Class offering. As I had started in Seattle (Bus Class), I was met at the aircraft door on arrival at SFO, and escorted to the tarmac where a Mercedes car was waiting to transport me to the International Boarding Area, where I was courteously directed to the First Class Lounge. I have to say that special treatment contributed to an overall great experience.
I also had some extra time after arriving at ICN, and discovered the Korean Cultural Centre and live music before catching my connecting flight to Central Asia. I have since returned through ICN. If you have time in the future, ICN is a great airport with plenty to keep all ages busy during layovers.
Nice! I didn’t get the Mercedes treatment. Had a connection from Arcata-Eureka to get to SFO.
I wish I could have explored ICN. The place seems huge! It was my plan to walk around, as well as visit the Asiana lounge. But instead I spent my short time there running through to my gate.
Wow, I’m planning to take this same flight in GF on the way to New Zealand next month and I’ve been tracking the on time performance, and noticed the ANC diversion. Thanks for the story and great to hear that everything turned out well.
Hope you have a great time, Rob! And that you don’t have the drama we did. But all turned out well. I made my connection to Sydney.
Since when does ANA fly into ANC?
ANC is a large cargo hub, which explains you’ll see ANA, Cathay Pacific and several other large cargo aircraft there regularly.
I don’t understand why anyone pregnant remotely close to the delivery date would fly internationally. This is especially a pet peeve of mine when I see foreign pregnant women flying to the U.S., as I know darn well they are coming here so their child can receive automatic U.S. citizenship. U.S. customs should not admit any pregnant women.
There are many reasons to travel – the woman could have been attending a funeral
Possibly but still inconsiderate. From about 34 weeks on, one probably should live as if labor could start any time.