Virgin Atlantic’s founder Richard Branson has marked the 21st birthday of Virginia, the first child to be born on a Virgin Atlantic flight.
In March 2004, a Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to London witnessed a rare event when Abimbola Eduwa, a 28-year-old Nigerian bank clerk, went into unexpected labour mid-air.
Eduwa, who was traveling with her 19-month-old son to visit relatives in London, had been assured by doctors that her baby was due at least a month later.
However, just an hour into the six-and-a-half-hour journey, she gave birth with the help of a doctor and nurse on board.
The baby, delivered safely at 30,000 feet above the Sahara Desert, was named Virginia in honour of her extraordinary birth.
The plane was quickly re-routed back to Lagos, where Mrs Eduwa and her daughter were taken to the Gbagada medical centre near their home in the city. They were given a check-over and soon discharged.
To commemorate the moment, Branson offered Virginia free flights every year until she turned 21.
On Thursday, the billionaire businessman marked her milestone birthday, reflecting on their connection over the years.
Sharing pictures of Virginia on Thursday, including throwback photos, Branson wrote, “For the past 21 years, I’ve had a wonderful pen pal. On this day, 21 years ago, @virginiatlas became the first person to be born on a @VirginAtlantic flight. Her wonderful mother was travelling from Lagos to London with her 19-month-old son when Virginia decided it was time to enter the world, one month early!
“Thanks to a brilliant nurse, surgeon, and all the crew on board, Virginia was safely delivered at 30,000ft somewhere above the Sahara Desert. We decided to gift Virginia with a free flight each year for the first 21 years of her life, and we touch base every year on her birthday. Sometimes we share song suggestions, and I love hearing all about her travels and life updates. Sending lots of love to you, Virginia, and to your family. My favourite pen pal to date!”
Many social media users took to Branson’s comment section to commend his kindness over the years, while some claimed they were part of the flight crew present when Virginia was born.
