• Emirates cabin crew in the airline's brown, white and red uniforms. Getty
    Emirates cabin crew in the airline's brown, white and red uniforms. Getty
  • Emirates was rated the world’s safest airline in January 2022 for the second year in a row. Reuters
    Emirates was rated the world’s safest airline in January 2022 for the second year in a row. Reuters
  • An Emirates Boeing 777-200LR aircraft mid-flight. Photo: Emirates
    An Emirates Boeing 777-200LR aircraft mid-flight. Photo: Emirates
  • Emirates airline's Boeing 777-300ER jets at Dubai International Airport. Reuters
    Emirates airline's Boeing 777-300ER jets at Dubai International Airport. Reuters
  • Travellers at Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Travellers at Dubai International Airport's Terminal 3. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Emirates has first and business class lounges around the world. Photos: Emirates
    Emirates has first and business class lounges around the world. Photos: Emirates
  • A fast-track gate that uses face and iris-recognition technology at Dubai International Airport. The biometric system is being used at 122 smart gates at the airport's arrival and departure terminals. AFP
    A fast-track gate that uses face and iris-recognition technology at Dubai International Airport. The biometric system is being used at 122 smart gates at the airport's arrival and departure terminals. AFP
  • An Emirates cabin crew staff member demonstrates new health and safety measures introduced after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Emirates
    An Emirates cabin crew staff member demonstrates new health and safety measures introduced after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Emirates
  • Emirates has fully enclosed private suites in first class. Photo: Emirates
    Emirates has fully enclosed private suites in first class. Photo: Emirates
  • An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft on the tarmac at the 2021 Dubai Airshow. AFP
    An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft on the tarmac at the 2021 Dubai Airshow. AFP
  • Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia aircraft perform a flypast over the UAE. Emirates
    Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia aircraft perform a flypast over the UAE. Emirates

Passenger gives birth on Emirates flight from Tokyo to Dubai


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

A baby has been born on an Emirates flight travelling to Dubai from Tokyo.

The airline confirmed to The National in a statement that the incident took place on January 19.

"The passenger was assisted by crew and the flight continued to Dubai as per schedule," it said.

"The passenger and baby were in stable condition and upon arrival in Dubai were met by local medical staff."

The plane took off at 10.31pm, Japan time, and landed in Dubai at 5.44am, UAE time.

It is not the first time an Emirates passenger has given birth mid-flight.

On May 6, 2020, a passenger gave birth during a repatriation flight that was heading to Lagos from Dubai.

In 2017, a passenger gave birth on board a Dubai to Paris flight.

Emirates provides training to its cabin crew to handle medical emergencies, including heart attacks and childbirth.

How Emirates trains its cabin crew - in pictures

  • An Emirates cabin crew trainee takes the plunge into cold water with a life jacket on. All photos Pawan Singh / The National
    An Emirates cabin crew trainee takes the plunge into cold water with a life jacket on. All photos Pawan Singh / The National
  • Trainees are taught to huddle in the cold water to conserve heat during an emergency landing on water.
    Trainees are taught to huddle in the cold water to conserve heat during an emergency landing on water.
  • Trainees are shown how to unravel and attach the protective orange cover for the life raft.
    Trainees are shown how to unravel and attach the protective orange cover for the life raft.
  • Despite being taught to stay in the inflatable life raft, trainees are asked to jump in the cold water during emergency landing exercises to learn the proper technique for keeping warm.
    Despite being taught to stay in the inflatable life raft, trainees are asked to jump in the cold water during emergency landing exercises to learn the proper technique for keeping warm.
  • Tania Hettiaratchy, training instructor, watches her class.
    Tania Hettiaratchy, training instructor, watches her class.
  • Trainee Emirates cabin crew leave the Airbus A380 simulator using the inflatable slide.
    Trainee Emirates cabin crew leave the Airbus A380 simulator using the inflatable slide.
  • A trainee opens the emergency exit in preparation for evacuating the aircraft.
    A trainee opens the emergency exit in preparation for evacuating the aircraft.
  • Emirates Cabin Crew Training College is the only one in the world to have a full-sized A380 fuselage.
    Emirates Cabin Crew Training College is the only one in the world to have a full-sized A380 fuselage.
  • Tania Hettiaratchy lectures trainees on how to wear the life jackets for an emergency evacuation on water.
    Tania Hettiaratchy lectures trainees on how to wear the life jackets for an emergency evacuation on water.
  • This cabin replica is where crew members are shown how to serve guests on board.
    This cabin replica is where crew members are shown how to serve guests on board.
  • Crew serve and are served during their training so they learn to appreciate the customer experience.
    Crew serve and are served during their training so they learn to appreciate the customer experience.
  • Trainees form tight bonds with others in their 'batch' and often remain friends for years into their service.
    Trainees form tight bonds with others in their 'batch' and often remain friends for years into their service.
  • Talks on the importance of skin care, including an emphasis on protection against the sun, are part of crew training.
    Talks on the importance of skin care, including an emphasis on protection against the sun, are part of crew training.
  • At the image station, female trainees are taught how to apply their make-up and males are shown the importance of a proper manicure.
    At the image station, female trainees are taught how to apply their make-up and males are shown the importance of a proper manicure.
SUNDAY'S ABU DHABI T10 MATCHES

Northern Warriors v Team Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangla Tigers v Karnataka Tuskers, 5.45pm
Qalandars v Maratha Arabians, 8pm

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

War and the virus
Brief scores:

QPR 0

Watford 1

Capoue 45' 1

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

The biog

Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children

She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career

She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence

Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken

Six large-scale objects on show
  • Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
  • The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
  • A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
  • A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
  • Torrijos Palace dome
Disability on screen

Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues

24: Legacy — PTSD;

Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound

Taken and This Is Us — cancer

Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)

Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg

Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety

Switched at Birth — deafness

One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy

Dragons — double amputee

5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away

It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.

The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.

But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.

At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.

The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.

After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.

Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.

And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.

At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.

And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.

* Agence France Presse

The biog

Favourite book: You Are the Placebo – Making your mind matter, by Dr Joe Dispenza

Hobby: Running and watching Welsh rugby

Travel destination: Cyprus in the summer

Life goals: To be an aspirational and passionate University educator, enjoy life, be healthy and be the best dad possible.

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Updated: January 23, 2023, 5:17 AM