Breaking Barriers: Meet Lynn, British Airways’ First Female Pilot
At British Airways, we’re proud of the pioneers who have shaped our journey. We had the privilege of welcoming Lynn to our Waterside head office, where she shared her extraordinary story as the very first female pilot to fly with British Airways.
Lynn discovered her love of flying at an early age. From the moment her stepfather first took her up in the air, her passion truly took off. While most teenagers were just learning to drive, she was already taking to the skies at just 17 years old. At the time, only a handful of women worldwide were pilots, and the idea of flying professionally was considered more of a dream than a possibility.
The Equal Employment Act of 1974 opened new doors, but opportunities for women in aviation were still incredibly rare. When Lynn applied to the College of Air Training, the programme was only open to male cadets. After rejection from the college, she signed up to a secretarial course to continue flying in whatever way she could. From there on, our first female pilot built her experience; from operations desk roles to instructing, volunteering, and flying at every opportunity.
Determined to spend more time in the skies, Lynn also trained as a flying instructor. It was the first step toward turning her passion into a profession, anything to be near an aircraft. For her, it was simple:
"If I can fly full-time and get paid, then that’s what I’ll do."
In February 1979, Lynn became the very first woman at the College of Air Training. Out of 150 cadets, she was the only woman, navigating a world that had never before welcomed female trainees. Despite the challenges, she kept pursuing her passion. Her career took her from instructing to supporting pilots on landing approaches, and eventually into the cockpit of commercial airlines including Air UK and Dan Air, where she helped pave the way for future generations of female pilots.
In 1987, British Airways needed to hire pilots, and our airline wasn’t afraid to employ diversely. Lynn’s application stood out - not only did she already have 500 flying hours under her belt, but she also brought strong nautical and mechanical knowledge. Unlike many of her peers who arrived in tweed jackets, Lynn turned up confidently in trousers. It was clear she ready to break convention, and so were we – she got the job.
True determination lead Lynn to British Airways
In February 1979, Lynn became the very first woman at the College of Air Training. Out of 150 cadets, she was the only woman, navigating a world that had never before welcomed female trainees. Despite the challenges, she kept pursuing her passion. Her career took her from instructing to supporting pilots on landing approaches, and eventually into the cockpit of commercial airlines including Air UK and Dan Air, where she helped pave the way for future generations of female pilots.
In 1987, British Airways needed to hire pilots, and our airline wasn’t afraid to employ diversely. Lynn’s application stood out - not only did she already have 500 flying hours under her belt, but she also brought strong nautical and mechanical knowledge. Unlike many of her peers who arrived in tweed jackets, Lynn turned up confidently in trousers. It was clear she ready to break convention, and so were we – she got the job.
When we asked her for her words of wisdom, Lynn didn’t disappoint.
"I would say to any aspiring pilot, becoming a commercial pilot is both hard work and fantastically rewarding, follow your dreams, put in the work and your dreams will come true."
Lynn retired in 2014, having flown across the globe to destinations including her favourite, Sydney and Hong Kong, and having inspired countless others to follow their passion for aviation.
Did you know, in 2019, there was a cocktail devised in her honour called ‘The Barton’ which is served in First Class and Concorde lounges; it’s a refreshing gin blend that Lynn herself gave the seal of approval.
Today, women make up a growing percentage of pilots at British Airways, and stories like Lynn’s remind us why representation matters. She proved that with resilience and courage, barriers can be broken, and the sky truly has no limits.
Inspired by Lynn’s story? Explore our pilot career pathways here.
Pilot jobsYou can also ask our current pilots what it’s like to work for British Airways.
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