Celebrating a legacy of mentorship and belonging this National Aviation Day

Summary

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This National Aviation Day, we’re celebrating the mentors, role models and community leaders in aviation who have worked tirelessly to foster a sense of belonging across the industry.

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Together, Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air are paving the way for the next generation of aviators through mentorship, innovative training programs and a shared commitment to excellence.

Every Aug. 19, we celebrate National Aviation Day — a sky-high tribute of those who first dared to dream of flight and the generations who’ve followed in their footsteps. But to us, aviation isn’t just about flying; it’s about our people.

Representation in aerospace careers is rarely a solo journey — it’s often built on the support of mentors, role models and communities that ignite growth, confidence and a sense of belonging. That spirit was front and center at the 49th annual Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) Conference, held earlier this month in Tacoma, Wash., where breaking barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for to connect and thrive in aviation took center stage.

Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air proudly served as title sponsors of this year’s conference — a first for our combined company.

“Being OBAP’s title sponsor has long been a dream of ours. Having Hawaiian, Alaska and Horizon show up together in Tacoma was a meaningful opportunity to help remove obstacles to participation and inspire prospective aviators to consider starting an enriching and inclusive career with our combined company.”

Deja Hubbard

Director of Talent Acquisition Outreach, Alaska Airlines

Throughout the conference, our employees eagerly answered questions, exchanged stories, offered career guidance and connected with the more than 2,400 attendees. Our title sponsorship also supports OBAP’s year-round efforts to expand access to professional development through programs like the Luke Weathers Flight Academy, Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy events and Aerospace Professionals in Schools.

Beyond OBAP, we continue investing in the next generation of aviators across our network. For example:

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Our True North program recruits from schools including HBCUs Delaware State University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore, helping students build the skills and confidence to fly commercially, with financial support along the way.

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We have over 450 students in Pilot Development who are training across the United States at a variety of schools.

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In Hawaiʻi, we’re opening doors for aspiring pilots to train locally through a first-of-its-kind program that offers a path to join Horizon Air while easing the financial burden of flight training.

Feeling inspired this National Aviation Day?

Meet a few of our pilots whose journeys reflect the power of mentorship and representation. Their stories remind us that aviation’s true magic isn’t just in the skies — it’s in the people who lift others up and help them take flight.

Ian

Airbus A321neo captain at Hawaiian Airlines

Tell us your pilot launch story.

“My mum bought me a book about all the airplanes flying at the time. I remember reading it cover to cover, memorizing the different aircraft types, and telling her all their stats and specifications. From that moment, I knew I wanted to be a pilot and set my sights firmly on achieving that goal.”

How crucial is it for pilots to support the next generation of pilots?

“It is crucial that we support the next generation, just as my predecessors did for me. For me, I feel a responsibility to be an ambassador and role model to the next generation of African Americans, especially as this is a career many may feel is unattainable. I believe it is imperative to reach out in any way I can — to speak with them, encourage them and show them that becoming a pilot is possible.”

Kasey

Embraer 175 Captain at Horizon Air

Tell us your pilot launch story.

“I became a pilot simply because I fell in love with flying! Growing up, I had always daydreamed about flying a plane, but I never even considered being a pilot as an actual path that I could choose. No one in my family had any aviation background or experience, so I didn’t know what I didn’t know. After college and while working at a corporate desk job, my office moved just down the road from the local airport, and I thought, ‘Why not take lessons just for the fun of it?’ That 30-minute intro flight shifted my whole world, and I KNEW that I had to become a pilot. Along with the encouragement of my instructor at the time and the support of my family, I saved up for flight school, quit my job, moved to a new state to learn how to fly and never looked back!”

What is your favorite part about being a pilot?

“My favorite part of flying is witnessing the miracle of flight up close and personal every day. There is so much science, engineering and analysis that continually goes into modern aviation, and it is incredibly awe-inspiring and humbling to be a part of that each time I go to work. And it’d be remiss of me if I didn’t admit that the view from the flight deck is unbeatable!”

Mia

Boeing 737 first officer at Alaska Airlines

Tell us your pilot launch story.

“One of my aviation mentors […] literally had five airplanes and let me fly them for free. And I asked him, ‘How can I pay you back? What can I do?’ And he was like, ‘Well, you’re going to be in a position where you can pay it forward one day, so do that.’”

What’s your hope for the future of aviation?

“Being a woman of color, it was interesting because I felt like, prior to coming to Alaska, I was looked at as like ‘Oh, you’re here taking our space,’ and it felt like every time I stepped into the flight deck, I needed to work extra hard to prove that I deserved to be there. The future that I’m hopeful for is that people will see someone who looks like me and won’t have to do a double-take.”

Benn

Embraer 175 first officer at Horizon Air

Tell us your pilot launch story.

“I became a pilot to travel the world! I caught the aviation bug ‘late’ in life. I flew on my first-ever flight at 18 in flight school and knew deep down this is what I wanted to do. However, I did not think of it as a career until I was 22. I joined the Marine Corps straight out of high school, and when I was exiting active duty, I found what I wanted to do instead of staying in the military.”

What’s a piece of advice someone gave you during your aviation career that you wish you had received at the start of your career?

“I wish somebody had told me to keep flying! Do not take a break! I took a break because I was figuring out a way to pay for Part 61 flight school while my GI Bill was paying for my first Part 141 school. If you do take a break, stay involved in aviation one way or another, whether that’s working a job in aviation or volunteering.”