Li Xuan thanks Muhammad for his efforts during the flight from Beijing to Paris. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Muhammad said the woman began feeling better within three hours and was in a good state by the last two hours of the flight. Medical staff further examined the woman when the plane landed.

In order to thank Muhammad for his efforts, the cabin crew gave him a round of applause and the chief of staff awarded Muhammad 10,000 Air France mileage points.

"It was best day of my life," Muhammad said.

"I am used to seeing this in movies but it happened in real life, and being the only doctor on the flight, I felt proud of my profession for being able to save a person's life.

"The experience helped me realize being a doctor is a noble profession, and it is beyond the borders of race, color and religion.

"It is the best profession on planet earth, and I am proud to be a doctor and proud to be Pakistani."

The woman, 26, who identified herself as Li Xuan the following day, thanked Dr Muhammad for his efforts after she made a full recovery.

"There is a Chinese saying that 'saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda'. Thank you Dr Muhammad for helping me while I was in distress," she said.