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First Woman in the Airlines
Ashlie Mellichamp
School of Aeronautics, Liberty University
AVIA 245: Aviation Leadership
Professor James Mashburn
October 29, 2021
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First Woman in the Airlines
Emily Howell Warner is known to be one of the most influential people in aviation
history. On January 29, 1973 Warner was the very first woman to be hired as an airline pilot.
She was known for more than her accomplishments in life, but she was known for her
passion and commitment towards aviation! Having good leadership in aviation is more than
what has been accomplished, but it’s about how you achieve it and the person you become.
The story of Emily Warner is a very inspirational one, not because of her accomplishments.
But how she was passionate and dedicated to something that was very different to the female
race. Throughout this essay we will be looking over the attributes of a good, well rounded
pilot in leadership. And how Warner was able to become such an inspiration and strong
leader to aviation history.
Emily and her twin sister Eileen were born on October 30th, 1939. From a young age
Warner had a passion and interest in planes. However, it wasn't until her later years in
highschool when she was introduced to the airline industry. She was encouraged by a peer to
take a small flight with the airlines. The moment she left the ground, she knew the sky was
created for her! From that moment on her career and accomplishments in aviation did nothing
more than grow. After she landed from her first airline flight, the pilot suggested she take
flight lessons. As he saw her interest spark in this career path. At first, Warner had a hard
time finding the finances to take lessons. After working some things out with her flight
school at Stapleton Airport, in Denver Colorado. She was able to exchange her work as a
receptionist for flight lessons. It took Warner a little less than a year to complete her first
rating, as a private pilot. She continued to work and fly for the school. Where she grew her
experience and became a CFI, to the schools manager, and then chief pilot.
During the time Warner spent instructing, she was able to rack up +7,000 logged
flight hours. In the early 1960s, Warner applied to several airlines, including Frontier
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Airlines, where she took her first flight. Even with over 7,000 flight hours she was declined
by all airlines. Most were not ready for the change in industry that would occur. However,
that did not stop Warner and her passion to one day fly for an airline. For the next 7 years she
continually worked on her experience and hours, by training other male pilots. Who would
eventually fly her dream. “In 1973, she applied yet again to Frontier, and this time she
managed to get an interview with Ed O'Neill, the vice president for flight operations. After
auditioning her in a model cockpit that simulated a balky Convair 580, he hired her. She was
33. Ms. Warner debuted as a full-time co-pilot in 1974. Two years later, she piloted a twin-
engine turboprop De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, a rugged intercity commuter
plane, commanding the cockpit as the first female captain of an American commercial
airline.” (Robert, 2020).
Emily Warner's legacy as an Airline Pilot did not end there. Her leadership and
passion towards something so against the cultural norm, was what inspired over 300 women.
In just a few short years to follow after and pursue a career in the airlines. The next big
achievement for Warner was she was the first woman to lead the first all female airline flight,
in 1986. There had previously been several other women before Emily Warner, to make
groundbreaking achievements in aviation. However, “Emily Howell Warner was the first
permanent female pilot for a scheduled U.S. passenger airline.’’ (Butzer, 2020). What makes
Warner stand out from any other women in aviation history, isn't her accomplishments. But it
was her dedication. From age 17 when she took her first flight, she knew the life of an airline
pilot was for her. That wasn't because others said she would never make it, or to prove a
point. But it was because of the love, passion, and excitement she had towards that aviation.
“It wasn't easy. Emily worked hard for her chances. She seized upon changes wrought
by the women's liberation movement and grasped each possible opportunity. As a metaphor
for life, a stable aircraft can be put into rotation. Emily faced some turbulent spins; but, she
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always managed to recover. She changed obstacles into challenges; she answered critics with
excellence.” (Cooper, 2003). Warner continued her career in aviation for several years later.
She moved from Frontier Airlines, where she was the first woman to earn her captain wings.
To UPS Airlines. In her whole career she logged over 21,000 hours in flight time and was
awarded award after award. In July of 2020, at just age 80 Emily passed away. It is seen
throughout Warner's time on earth, that she was able to make history for women in aviation.
History that seemed impossible years ago. It is because of Warner's great leadership, passion,
and dedication that women are now able to pursue a career in the airline industry.
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Work Cited:
Cooper, A. L. (2003). Weaving the winds: Emily Howell Warner. 1st Books Library.
Butzer, S. (2020, July 8). 'captain Emily,' first female pilot for us commercial airline, dies at
80 in Colorado. KMGH. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from
https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/captain-emily-first-female-pilot-for-us-
commercial-airline-dies-at-80-in-colorado.
Roberts, S. (2020, July 17). Emily Howell Warner, who broke a sky-high glass ceiling, dies at
80. The New York Times. Retrieved November 6, 2021, from
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/us/emily-howell-warner-dead.html.
