In a powerful display of progress, Qantas and Jetstar are launching a series of over 50 flights this week, operated entirely by women.

This initiative marks the lead up to International Women’s Day 2025. It aims to illuminate the diverse career paths available to women within the aviation industry.

It celebrates the capability of women, particularly in what have been traditionally male-dominated roles.  

Flight Services Across the Week

Operating this week, these flights will be planned, dispatched, and executed by over 250 female pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and operations personnel.

The operations will traverse more than 20 routes across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. This undertaking spans the Qantas, QantasLink, and Jetstar networks, showcasing the breadth of female talent within the Group.

The inaugural flight, a Jetstar service departing from Adelaide to Sydney, marked the beginning of this significant week.

Subsequent flights will connect cities such as Sydney to Hobart, Brisbane to Geraldton, Cairns to Melbourne, Sydney to Perth, Auckland to Christchurch, and Tokyo to Fukuoka. The continued flights will further amplify the message of female empowerment.  

A Collective Force of Talent

Second Officer B787 Brigitte Howe gave her thoughts on the initiative. She expressed her immense pride in standing alongside her female colleagues, acknowledging the strides made in the aviation industry.

“It’s truly inspiring to witness the collective force of talent across Qantas and Jetstar. It enables us to operate an unprecedented number of flights in celebration of International Women’s Day,” she stated.

“These flights are a tribute to the pioneering women who paved the way, fostering a more diverse and inclusive workplace for today’s teams.”

“We aspire to ignite a spark in young girls, encouraging them to pursue aviation careers and join the ranks of supportive, passionate, and exceptionally talented women,” Ms. Howe added.

Jetstar’s Senior Manager of Flying Operations, Captain Lizzie Archibald, emphasized the significance of these all-female crews. They are instrumental in highlighting the exceptional talent and leadership women contribute to the aviation sector.

“Jetstar is committed to fostering female leadership, inspiring the next generation of female leaders,” Captain Archibald explained.  

“These flights serve as a crucial platform to showcase the diverse career opportunities within aviation. This includes roles as pilots and engineers, to young girls and women.”

“From the flight deck and cabin to the operations center, engineering, ground staff, and corporate teams, this week is a celebration of the invaluable contributions of women to aviation every day,” she elaborated.

The Continued Gender Imbalance

Aviation, historically a male-dominated field, still faces a gender imbalance, particularly in pilot and engineering roles. Recognizing this, the Qantas Group has implemented several initiatives to address this disparity, acknowledging that continued effort is essential.  

Key initiatives include doubling the number of scholarships to 20 for female and First Nations students. These will allow entry to the Qantas Group Pilot Academy, expanding the talent pipeline.

Additionally, this year, women comprised 20 percent of the apprentice intake at the Qantas Group Engineering Academy, a significant step towards nurturing future female engineers. Notably, a record 35 percent of Jetstar’s 2025 engineering graduates are women.  

The Qantas Group is dedicated to attracting more women to aviation careers through school outreach programs and work experience opportunities. The employee-led Altitude Network provides support, education, and advocacy for women across the Group, promoting gender equality.

“It Starts in Our Schools” 

Group Chief People Officer Catherine Walsh emphasized the need for sustained effort. “While progress is evident, achieving lasting change requires continuous effort. It starts in our schools.”

“We are expanding our school outreach to promote aviation careers and encourage girls to dream big in STEM fields,” she stated.

“Our hope is that young girls, witnessing these remarkable women thriving in technical careers, will gain the confidence to explore roles in hangars, flight decks, or even leading this airline in the future,” Ms. Walsh concluded.

Conclusion

This week’s flights are not a mere symbolic gesture. Hopefully send a powerful message to young girls and women: the sky is not the limit, it’s just the beginning.

The Qantas and Jetstar initiative inspires a future where gender equality in aviation is not just a goal, but a reality.

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