Empowering Flight: All-Female Crews Soar in IWD 2025
In a landmark celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, Qantas and Jetstar Australia are set to break new ground in aviation by launching 50 all-female operated flights during the week of March 3-9. This initiative not only highlights the incredible talent of women in aviation but also sends a powerful message of inspiration to the next generation of female pilots, engineers, and aviation professionals.
Over the course of the week, more than 250 female experts—including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and operations team members—will handle every aspect of flight planning, dispatch, and operations. These all-female teams will serve over 20 routes across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, underscoring the industry’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The flights will span a variety of popular routes, ensuring that the celebration reaches a wide audience and showcases the broad range of opportunities available to women in aviation.
The celebration kicked off on the morning of March 3, 2025, with a Jetstar service flying from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). This inaugural flight set the tone for a week filled with significant milestones in promoting female leadership within the aviation sector. Subsequent flights include journeys from Sydney to Hobart, Brisbane to Geraldton, Cairns to Melbourne, Sydney to Perth, Auckland to Christchurch, and Tokyo Narita to Fukuoka, among others. Each flight is a testament to the seamless coordination and exceptional skill of women who manage every detail from the flight deck to the operations center.
Second Officer B787 Brigitte Howe expressed her excitement about the initiative. “It’s exciting to see incredible talent across Qantas and Jetstar come together in force so more flights than ever before can soar in recognition of International Women’s Day,” she said. Howe further emphasized that the week’s flights celebrate the trailblazing women who have paved the way for current and future generations. “My hope is that young girls see these flights and are inspired to take up a career in aviation working beside supportive, passionate, inclusive and seriously talented women,” she added.
Jetstar’s Senior Manager of Flying Operations, Captain Lizzie Archibald, echoed these sentiments, stating that the all-female crews are a clear demonstration of the exceptional leadership and expertise women bring to the aviation industry. “Jetstar is proud to have women in leadership positions across the airline, inspiring the next generation of female leaders,” Archibald noted. She highlighted that the week is an ideal moment to showcase the diverse career paths in aviation—from the flight deck to engineering, ground operations, and corporate roles.
In addition to celebrating these flights, Qantas is actively working to grow its talent pool through initiatives such as the Qantas Group Pilot Academy, which has doubled its scholarship offerings to 20 for both female and First Nations students. Women now represent 20% of the apprentice intake at the Qantas Group Engineering Academy—a crucial step toward nurturing future female engineers. Jetstar’s latest statistics reveal that a record 35% of its 2025 engineering graduates are women, further underlining the industry’s progress.
This week-long celebration is more than just a series of flights—it is a powerful statement about the future of aviation. By providing a platform for female professionals to shine, Qantas and Jetstar are setting a new standard for diversity, inclusion, and excellence in the skies. The initiative serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young girls everywhere, reaffirming that the sky is truly the limit when it comes to women’s achievements in aviation.
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