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Ba Marked International Women Day
9 - Mar - 2018

British Airways Celebrates International Women’s Day by Operating All-Female Flight

 

British Airways (BA) marked International Women’s Day by operating UK’s biggest all-female flight.

The 61 BA women staff comprising of check in staff, security, baggage handlers, stewardesses, pilots, flight managers, loaders and pushback teams handled the flight, which took off on 6 March en route from London Heathrow to Glasgow.

One of the 204 passengers on board the flight was TV presenter Carol Vorderman, 57, who is also a qualified pilot. Vorderman is an ambassador for the Royal Air Force Cadets. She wanted to take part in the celebration in order to encourage more women to get into the aviation industry.

Vorderman had this to say about her experience after landing in Glasgow, “What an incredible day, I loved getting a sneak peek behind-the-scenes at British Airways and meeting all the amazing women who, like me, have such a passion for encouraging more young women into aviation. 

“Spending the day with the students was great fun, they're all so enthusiastic and they've got a wonderful future ahead of them. 

“The world, or plane, is theirs for the taking!”

British Airways Captain Julie Levy, said: “I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of the team on our all-female flight.

“As a mum of two teenage daughters I think it’s crucial that we grab every opportunity we can to inspire the next generation. There wasn’t any visibility of female pilots when I was growing up, so I think events like this are important to help show the range of different careers that are available to women.”

“With women currently only representing around three to four per cent of the industry’s professional pilots, we have to redress the balance. I’m pleased to be part of an organisation trying to do something about it.”  

EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic also have flights operated by all-female crews.

By Airport Pickups London