Women in Aviation: A Critical Component

Helping women achieve their dreams of a career in aviation remains a top goal for one nonprofit organization.

Lynda Coffman has a tough job.

The current CEO of Women in Aviation International (WAI) leads 20,000 members in 112 countries.

The long-time aviation veteran is a tenacious, all-in leader of an organization that this year alone is distributing 87 scholarships to women seeking a career in civil and military aviation. In 2025, WAI awarded $530,000 in scholarships. This year, WAI is awarding $610,00 in scholarships.

Since 1995, WAI scholarship recipients have received more than $17 million. Ninety WAI members received scholarships this year to attend Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education Women in Leadership courses.

The organization also is expanding its international efforts to help women from developing nations achieve their goals.

Unfortunately, that uplifting news comes with challenges. Less than 7% of women pilots are employed by the airlines. Only 1 percent are women of color, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

CAT spoke recently with Coffman before WAI’s 37th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference held mid-March in Dallas, Tex.

“We need to focus not only on recruitment of young women in the pilot ranks, but inspire young girls about a career in aviation, as early as the pre-adolescent level,” she said. “That is why our aviation for girls program is dear to our heart. You have to support them on their journey.”

“That is his opinion. There isn’t data to support that women aren’t effective in combat missions,” said Coffman. “There is also the rhetoric about the need for merit-based pilot hiring at airlines. It’s rubbish not supported by the facts. Of course we are merit based. The airlines have always followed FAA regulations, certifications [required] hours and check rides.”

Coffman is not alone on the subject. Claudia Zapata-Cardone, president of Latino Professionals in Aerospace, and a United Airlines Captain, said the following: “The FAA directive requiring airlines to certify merit-based hiring implies that merit has been absent from our profession. That implication is incorrect and dismissive of the very practices that define aviation.”

In recent years, airlines have made concerted efforts to increase the number of women pilots at regional and major airlines.

United Airlines Aviate Academy, Southwest Airlines Destination 225 Pilot Program, Delta Air Lines Propel Collegiate Pilot Career, American Airlines Cadet Academy, JetBlue Gateways as well as independent flight schools are helping increase the number of women airline pilots.

Cost of pilot training remains a challenge for some prospective pilots – both women and men. Average cost of becoming an airline pilot in the U.S. ranges from $70,000 to $150,000, according to various flight schools. JetBlue’s Gateway Select program, conducted by training solutions provider CAE, costs $110,000.

WAI’s education program supports women seeking roles in various areas of civil and military aviation – pilots, aircraft mechanics, and management. Of note are WAI’s Mentorship, Job Connect, Networking and Harvard Emerging Leaders programs for women in mid-career. Hosted by WAI, the three-day professional development program is led by Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education, thanks to a $1 million grant funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. WAI’s goal is to help aviation-related managers “master core business concepts, build key leadership skills and explore and develop their personal leadership style.”

WAI is partnering with numerous small and larger flight schools and universities that provide degrees in various areas of aviation.  WAI offers international scholarships through various schools including:  University of Limerick in Ireland, University of New South Wales in Australia, Leiden University in The Netherlands and France’s École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (National School of Civil Aviation (ENAC).

“This is an area in which we’re very focused, trying to extend our reach to areas of the globe to break down the barriers,” said Coffman.

Running the Joint

For years, there were few women in the “Sweet Suite” at airlines and aircraft manufacturers. But that too is changing.

Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkitt Rakow was appointed to her position in October 2025, following the acquisition of the airline by the Alaska Air Group.

Mitsuko Tottori is President and Chief Executive of Japan Airlines (JAL), an announcement that was unthinkable years ago in a male dominated culture.

In April 2021, the International Airlines Group, which includes British Airways, Iberia and other carriers, announced that Lynn Embleton had been appointed CEO of AerLingus. Embleton is the former Chief Executive and Chairman of IAG Cargo and has held numerous senior roles at British Airways.

Alex Marren, Chief Operating Officer of Air New Zealand, listed as a keynote speaker at this year’s WAI’s Dallas conference, spent 36 years in senior positions at United before going Down Under.

Marren and Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), told attendees to persevere in their aviation career goals despite the roadblocks they may face.

Some women have quietly led the way for years. Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Tammy Romo and Chief Administration Officer Linda Rutherford retired from their positions on April 1, 2025.

There too are noteworthy top women officers at Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Stephanie Pope is Executive Vice President of the Boeing Company and President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA).