United Airlines Aims High With New Diversity Goal For Pilots

“As I have seen in my career as a pilot, we just haven’t been able to move the needle on this,” said Captain Mary Ann Schaffer with United Airlines.

By Stephanie Kim
United Airlines Aims High With New Diversity Goal For Pilots
A United Airlines jetliner lifts off from a runway at Denver International Airport, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in Denver. On Monday, April 19, 2021, United Airlines said it is still losing money, and it's waiting for a turnaround in lucrative business and international travel to get it back to profitability. David Zalubowski / AP Photo
United Airlines Aims High With New Diversity Goal For Pilots
A United Airlines jetliner lifts off from a runway at Denver International Airport, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in Denver. On Monday, April 19, 2021, United Airlines said it is still losing money, and it's waiting for a turnaround in lucrative business and international travel to get it back to profitability. David Zalubowski / AP Photo

United Airlines Aims High With New Diversity Goal For Pilots

“As I have seen in my career as a pilot, we just haven’t been able to move the needle on this,” said Captain Mary Ann Schaffer with United Airlines.

By Stephanie Kim
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As air travel opens up slowly, United Airlines aims to address the industry’s long standing lack of diversity in the cockpit. By 2030, the Chicago-based airline plans to hire 5,000 new pilots with half of them being women and people of color.

Reset learns more about United’s new diversity goal and other ways the industry can better support women and people of color.

GUESTS: Capt. Mary Ann Schaffer, system chief pilot for United Airlines

Leire Kennedy, flight attendant for American Airlines

Shuyan Ma, flight attendant for American Airlines