Who Is Aisha Al Mansoori? Pilot Becomes United Arab Emirates' First Female Captain

Aisha Al Mansoori made history and became the United Arab Emirates’ first female captain. Mansoori was the first female officer of Etihad Airways until she was promoted to captain.

Aisha Al Mansoori is the first female captain to fly for Etihad Airways and is the first female airline captain from the UAE. Mansoori joined the airline in 2007 as a cadet and completed her training in 2010.

On August 23, the 33-year-old received four stripes on her uniform, confirming her new rank as a captain.

Who Is Aisha Al Mansoori?

• Aisha Al Mansoori joined UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways more than 15 years ago and has almost 6,000 flight hours under her wings.
• In 2010, she completed her training and boarded an Airbus A320 for her maiden flight as a first officer. She progressed to flying the Airbus A330.
• Mansoori made history by becoming the first female pilot from the UAE to fly the Airbus A380 superjumbo, the world’s largest passenger jet.
• Now, she will go back to flying the Airbus A320 as a captain this time.
• Mansoori spoke with The National, “It is an achievement that I’ve been looking forward to and working hard for since I was a cadet pilot”.
• She took inspiration from her sister, Major Mariam Al Mansouri, the UAE’s first female fighter pilot.
• Mansoori’s elder sister started flying when Mansoori was in high school and she went with her to the air show. She said, “When I saw the aircrafts and pilots, I just fell in love. I knew that is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
• Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Aviation Group Mohammad Al Bulooki said, “Etihad is extremely proud of Captain Aisha’s achievement and the trailblazing role she is playing for women in aviation in the UAE.”
• Bulooki said that Mansoori would be the first female captain of many and added that the airline looks forward to welcoming more female pilots to the rank of Captain.
• Mansoori commenced regular flying duties as a captain at Etihad Airways on August 28.

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