Women in the role of airline pilots

A woman piloting a commercial aircraft is no longer an unusual sight. In fact, the perception of being a pilot is no longer exclusively associated with men—the aviation industry is evolving, and the number of female pilots is steadily increasing. “Pilot the Future”—this is our call to aspiring pilots who want to join our ranks. We are currently recruiting pilots and actively encouraging both men and women to apply and pursue their dream of flying.

The number of women in aviation, especially as airline pilots, is growing each year. Breaking stereotypes is not just about changing public perception, but also a natural consequence of progress and industry-wide transformation.

Women in the cockpit continue to break barriers, proving that professionalism, skills, and knowledge are not dependent on gender.

For decades, the image of pilots has been male-dominated, but history tells a different story. Women have played a crucial role in aviation since its early days, paving the way for future generations.

✈️ Milestones in Women’s Aviation History:

• 1908: Thérèse Peltier became the first woman to pilot an aircraft.
• 1910: Raymonde de Laroche became the first woman to receive a pilot's licence.
• 1930: Amy Johnson became the first woman to fly solo from the UK to Australia.
• 1932: Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.
• 1942: The Women Air force Service Pilots (WASP) was formed in the U.S., with 1,074 female pilots logging nearly 100 million kilometres in service.
• 1973: Emily Howell Warner became the first female jet pilot for a U.S. airline (Frontier Airlines).
• 1981: Captain Adelajda Szarzec-Tragarz became LOT Polish Airlines’ first female captain, completing her pilot training at Rzeszów University of Technology.

The growing number of female pilots demonstrates progress and change. It also sends a positive message to the entire aviation industry—that embracing diversity leads to innovation and advancement.

This year, we are celebrating our 95th anniversary as the 12th oldest airline in the world. Now, we are seeking ambitious individuals who want to become part of our team.

What Can You Expect?

• The best career path in the region.
• A modern fleet of aircraft.
• A home base in Warsaw.
• An expanding route network.

Joining our team means rapid career growth with a clear progression path—starting with narrow-body aircraft like the Embraer and Boeing 737, and advancing to wide-body Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

At LOT, our pilots receive world-class training, supported by the Polish Aviation Academy, which provides year-round access to advanced simulators and ongoing professional development.