DUBAI – When Hanan Mohammed Jawad was 14 years old, she watched the UAE’s first female pilot on television. The confidence and presence of the woman in uniform left a lasting impression.
That moment sparked a dream that would eventually carry her thousands of metres above the ground and into the history books.
This year, Hanan and fellow Emirati pilot Bakhita Al Mheiri became the first Emirati women to be promoted to captain at Emirates, marking a milestone not only for the airline but also for women in the UAE’s aviation sector.
The two pilots, who both began their careers through the Emirates National Cadet Pilot Programme, have officially received their fourth stripes and now command Boeing 777 aircraft, one of the world’s most widely used long-haul passenger jets.
For Hanan, the promotion represents the culmination of a journey that began nearly two decades ago when she joined the cadet programme in 2008.
“From that point on, all I wanted was to become a pilot,” she recalled, referring to the television appearance that inspired her as a teenager.
Over the years, she steadily progressed through the ranks, accumulating more than 9,200 flying hours while navigating one of the aviation industry’s most demanding career paths.
Yet she views the captaincy not as a final destination, but as another step forward.
“Receiving my fourth stripe is a proud milestone, but I don’t see it as the destination,” she said. “This is just the beginning.”
Away from the cockpit, Hanan continues to embrace new challenges. Recently taking up skiing as a beginner, she says she enjoys placing herself in situations where she is still learning. She has also shifted her focus from intensive gym training to activities such as yoga and Pilates, which help her maintain the concentration and discipline required for her profession.
For Bakhita, the journey was shaped by years of mentorship from senior pilots and trainers who guided her through every stage of her career.
She joined Emirates as a cadet pilot in 2011, inspired by the growing number of successful Emirati women entering aviation. Along the way, she learned lessons that extended beyond technical flying skills.
“My journey at Emirates has been deeply influenced by the mentorship and guidance I received from exceptional training captains and leaders,” she said.
The experience, she added, taught her the importance of responsibility, discipline and continuous learning. Now, as a captain herself, she hopes to pass those lessons on to younger generations.
“One of the most meaningful lessons I gained throughout this journey was the importance of passing knowledge and experience forward,” she said.
Their achievement comes at a time when the UAE continues to expand opportunities for women across sectors traditionally dominated by men. Aviation, once seen as an unlikely career path for women in the region, has increasingly become a field where Emirati women are making their mark as pilots, engineers and industry leaders.
For Hanan and Bakhita, the significance of their promotion extends beyond personal accomplishment.
“Our leadership has long recognised women as essential partners in shaping our nation’s future,” they said in a joint message to aspiring female pilots. “Emirates is creating the environment and opportunities for women to thrive, and we will continue to build on this for future generations.”
Their stories began with ambition, determination and a willingness to pursue an unconventional dream. Today, as they take command of aircraft carrying hundreds of passengers across continents, they are also helping chart a new course for the next generation of Emirati women looking toward the skies.
