A 1-year-7-month-old girl experienced a terrifying medical emergency during a flight from Guangzhou to Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia flight AK115 in the early hours of 4 July. The child, identified as Natasha, was flying with her family when she suddenly became pale, breathless, and almost unresponsive — sending her parents into panic.
According to her mother, Jalinda, who shared the ordeal on Facebook, Natasha was peacefully asleep for the first 90 minutes of the journey. But shortly after waking up for a feed, she began displaying worrying signs. Her face and lips turned white, her breathing became rapid, and she went limp, sparking fears of a life-threatening situation.
“I was terrified. I immediately picked her up, patted her back, rubbed her hands and feet to keep her conscious, and called the cabin crew for oxygen,” Jalinda recalled.
Emergency Medical Response by AirAsia Crew Praised
The AirAsia cabin crew jumped into action with impressive speed. They delivered an oxygen tank and assisted Jalinda in placing the oxygen mask on Natasha’s tiny face. A crew announcement also requested for any medical professionals onboard, and, as luck would have it, a female doctor responded swiftly.
The doctor performed an emergency assessment of Natasha’s condition. At the same time, the pilot descended the plane to a lower altitude to stabilise cabin pressure, an emergency aviation procedure known for helping passengers experiencing hypoxia or other breathing difficulties.
This quick, coordinated response between the AirAsia crew, the onboard doctor, and ground staff from Ho Chi Minh City was instrumental in ensuring Natasha’s safety, showcasing a textbook example of airline safety and effective emergency medical response.
Airline Safety and Child Health Awareness
Jalinda expressed heartfelt gratitude on social media: “Thanks to the AirAsia team and everyone who helped. Without your prompt actions, I don’t know what would have happened.”
This incident highlights the importance of preparedness among airline crew members in handling unexpected emergencies involving young passengers. It also serves as a reminder to parents to be vigilant about their children’s health, especially during air travel, when the cabin environment can exacerbate underlying conditions.
Experts advise parents to consult a paediatrician before flying if their child has any respiratory or chronic health concerns. Airlines, meanwhile, continue to train crew members for medical emergencies to protect passenger health and uphold airline safety standards.