Qantas and Jetstar Australia announced that it will celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 by running 50 all-female operated flights this week.
From the week of March 3-9, 2025, flights will be planned, dispatched and operated by more than 250 female pilots, cabin crew, engineers, airport and operations center team members across Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar, and span over 20 routes in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
The first flight, a Jetstar service from Adelaide Airport (ADL) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), took off on the morning of March 3, 2025. It will be followed by a range of flights throughout the week including SYD Airport to Hobart Airport (HBA), Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Geraldton Airport (GET), Cairns Airport (CNS) to Melbourne Airport (MEL), SYD Airport to Perth Airport (PER), Auckland Airport (AKL) to Christchurch Airport (CHC) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) to Fukuoka Airport (FUK).
“It’s exciting to see incredible talent across Qantas and Jetstar come together in force so more flights than ever before can soar in recognition of International Women’s Day,”
Second Officer B787 Brigitte Howe said in a statement.
“These flights are a celebration of all the women who paved the path for the next generation and are ensuring today’s teams can thrive in a more diverse workplace. My hope is that young girls see these flights and are inspired to take up a career in aviation working beside supportive, passionate, inclusive and seriously talented women,” Howe added.
Howe also said she was proud to stand among her female colleagues and to recognize how far the aviation industry has come and the incredible career paths available to women.
Jetstar’s Senior Manager of Flying Operations Captain Lizzie Archibald said the all-female crews highlight the exceptional talent and leadership women bring to the aviation industry.
“Jetstar is proud to have women in leadership positions across the airline, inspiring the next generation of female leaders,” Archibald said.
Archibald added: “Today’s flights are such an important moment to showcase to young girls and women all the different career paths aviation can offer, including pilots and engineers. From the flight deck and cabin, to the operations center, engineering, ground staff, and corporate teams, this week is an opportunity to celebrate the invaluable contributions of women to the world of aviation every day.”
According to Qantas, its Group Pilot Academy has doubled the number of scholarships to 20 for female and First Nations students, helping to broaden the talent pipeline.
This year, women made up 20% of the apprentice intake at the Qantas Group Engineering Academy, marking an important step to grow the next generation of female engineers. Meanwhile a record 35 % of Jetstar’s 2025 engineering graduates are made up of women.
The Qantas Group said it is committed to attracting more women into aviation careers through school outreach programs and work experience opportunities.
