New Delhi, June 18 (PTI): He is a born frequent flier - a baby boy, born today 35,000 feet above the Arabian Sea on a Jet Airways plane, has received a free lifetime pass from the airline as his first gift.

Flight 9W 569 had taken off from Dammam in Saudi Arabia for Kochi in Kerala at 2.55am today. While it was still over the Arabian Sea, an expectant mother on board went into premature labour. The crew declared a medical emergency and diverted the Boeing 737 with 162 passengers to Mumbai.

The cabin crew requested on the public announcement system for a doctor to come forward. But since there was none travelling on the flight, a nurse volunteered to help deliver the child along with the airline staff.

After the plane landed in Mumbai, the mother and the baby were rushed to a hospital and were said to be doing well, according to the airline.

"Being the first baby to be born in-flight for the airline, Jet Airways is pleased to offer the newly born a free lifetime pass for all his travel on Jet Airways," the airline said in a statement.

The plane resumed its journey to Kochi and reached at 12.45pm, after a delay of 90 minutes.