American Airlines recently operated a flight from Dallas Fort-Worth Airport (DFW) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Arizona, with an all-black female crew. This includes everyone involved in the safe operation of the flight, including the Captain, flight attendants, aircraft maintenance agents, to even the cargo personnel. The flight was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bessie Coleman getting her pilot’s license.

Onboard the flight was Gigi Coleman, Bessie Coleman’s niece, who now runs an after-school aviation program named after her aunt. Gigi expressed her gratitude to American Airlines for the opportunity to highlight her great aunt’s accomplishments in the field of aviation.

Gigi told CBS News,

"I think she would've been really amazed and in awe. I was in awe, and this is 2022. My great-aunt received her license two years before Amelia Earhart. She wasn't in the history books. No one knew about her."

All-black female crew

This was the first time in American Airlines’ history that a flight was operated by all-black female crew. Bessie Coleman was the first ever female of color to get a pilot’s license. Fueled by her passion for aviation, she had to travel all the way to Europe to attend flight school, as women had virtually no opportunities in the United States. Bessie obtained her pilot’s license in 1921, over a hundred years ago.

American Airlines flight AA 372 was operated from DFW to PHX to mark this occasion. According to Simple Most, the flight was operated on August 8th on a Boeing 737 aircraft registered as N43AN. Data from Flightradar24 shows the plane departing Dallas at 22:50 UTC for the two-hour journey west.

The crew on this special flight comprised of:

Beth Powell - Pilot, Boeing 737 Captain

Charlene Shortte - Pilot, Boeing 737 First Officer

Cheryl Gaymon - Flight Attendant

Mary Roberson - Flight Attendant

Vanessa Bennett - Flight Attendant

Breana James - Flight Attendant

Sharron Brooks - Ramp Crew Chief

Nicole White - Ramp Crew Chief

Maya Matthews - Fleet Service Agent

Natasha Williams - Fleet Service Agent

Alisha Bates - Fleet Service Agent

Patricia Milfort - Manager on Duty, Customer Operations

Tracy Brown - Customer Service Agent

Arlene Law - Customer Service Coordinator

Lynette Daniels Moody - Customer Service Coordinator

Lillie Hayes - Customer Service Coordinator

Kacy Stevenson - Customer Service Coordinator

Muje Abdul-Qadir - Control Center Coordinator

Pamela Calton - Aviation Maintenance Technician

Crystal Tochi McDaniel - Duty Manager, Cargo Services

Audrey Van Hook - Cargo Crew Chief

Sandra Butler - Cargo Crew Chief

Jessika Mejia - Premium Guest Services Representative

Veronda Butler - Senior Manager, Premium Guest Services

Black representation in aviation

Even in 2022, black representation in aviation in the United States remains extremely poor. According to American Airlines, black women pilots currently account for less than 1% of all pilots in the US commercial airlines industry. Therefore, it is clear that much work needs to be done in this regard to make the aviation community more inclusive and diverse.

Thankfully, several organizations are working towards this goal. American Airlines is working through its Cadet Academy, while Gigi Coleman’s organization, the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars, is doing its bit by promoting aeronautical studies among young kids.

What do you think can be done to increase diversity in the aviation industry? Please, share your thoughts in the comments.

Source: CBS News and Simple Most