Is it permissible for the wife's mother to travel by plane without a mahram to help her daughter with childbirth and its aftermath, and is that considered a necessity?

The majority of scholars hold that it is not permissible for a woman to travel without a mahram unless there is a necessity, and her travel to her daughter for childbirth is not considered one of these necessities. However, some scholars have permitted travel without a mahram when there is no fear of fitna (temptation or strife), especially by airplane. Therefore, if there is a need for the woman to travel to her daughter and her travel is safe, there is no impediment to adopting the view of those who permit it.