Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast Women are extremely under-represented in senior roles in aviation – how could that change?
Nov 17, 2025
Katherine Moloney, founder of Elevate(her) Aviation and a licensed pilot, discusses the stark gender disparity in aviation leadership, where only 5% of key roles are held by women, despite 30% female representation overall. She highlights barriers such as lack of female-friendly facilities and the need for role models to inspire future generations. Katherine also addresses the challenges women face in training and re-entering the field postpartum, and she proposes strategies to increase female pilot numbers and achieve gender parity in aviation.
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Large Gender Gap Hides Role Segregation
- Aviation is about 30% female overall but under 5% in pilots, engineers and air traffic control worldwide.
- These gaps show systemic role segregation rather than lack of interest among women.
Perception And Role Models Matter As Much As Rosters
- Perceived lifestyle barriers don't fully explain low pilot numbers, because female cabin crew face the same scheduling demands yet remain numerous.
- Role models and perceptions, not just practical constraints, shape career choices for women in aviation.
Start By Fixing Small Visible Barriers
- Fix visible, low-cost barriers first: toilets, uniforms and training seating to make roles more accessible to women.
- Increasing female representation in engineering will help design equipment that fits diverse bodies.