We hosted our inaugural Legacy of Firsts event to honor Black aviators and the founders of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP). American is proud to have hired the first Black commercial pilot who broke barriers in aviation and paved the path for future Black pilots.

Providing access to the pilot career path is key to increase the representation of Black pilots in our industry. At the 46th annual OBAP conference, we announced a $1.5 million donation to provide grants and scholarships to students seeking a career in aviation.

At the conference’s career exhibition hall, we were also the only carrier to extend job offers to pilots in attendance.

In 1921, Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of her groundbreaking achievement, we operated a flight with an all-female crew with Bessie’s great niece, Gigi Coleman, on board.

From the pilots and Flight Attendants to the Cargo team members and the aviation maintenance technician and more, our team members celebrated the path Bessie paved a century ago.

American is turning aviators’ dreams into a reality with the Cadet Academy. Continuing our legacy of firsts, we welcomed the first two graduates of a legacy carrier’s pilot training program. Both began their aviator journeys at the Cadet Academy, completing their flight training, building their hours, and flying for one of American's wholly owned carriers — Envoy. They now will join American's flight deck as mainline first officers.

Through the Cadet Academy, we provide a structured platform that involves financing, training, and ongoing support while creating greater diversity among the current and future pilot ranks.