Aviation is an industry built around precision, discipline and some of the most highly trained professionals in the world. But behind the polished uniforms, aircraft, airports and flight decks is an industry that has historically been dominated by men. Today, more women are entering aviation as pilots, engineers, air-traffic controllers, executives, mechanics and other professionals. But getting through the door is only one part of the journey. For some women, the bigger challenge is navigating an environment where they may still be one of very few women in the room. And that raises difficult questions about the culture of the industry. What happens when women challenge the old ways of doing things? Are women given the same opportunities to rise through the ranks? What role does sexism, sexual harassment, discrimination and the abuse of power play? And when women do speak out, are they genuinely protected — or do they risk damaging their careers in an industry where networks and reputations matter? Recent controversies and scandals have once again brought
questions about conduct, accountability and workplace culture in aviation into the spotlight.
So tonight, we're looking beyond the cockpit and asking a much bigger question: What does it really take for a woman not just to enter aviation, but to survive, succeed and reach the top in an
industry where men have traditionally held most of the power?