Summary

  • Captain Theresa Claiborne broke barriers as the first African American female pilot in the US Air Force in 198
  • She spent 34 years flying with United Airlines, accumulating over 23,000 flight hours and inspiring future aviators.
  • Claiborne is the director of Sisters of the Skies, a non-profit focused on diversifying the next generation of aviation professionals.

Diversity was an issue in the field of aviation. Pilots were predominantly white, with white men dominating both military and commercial cockpits. African Americans flying as captains in commercial airlines was nearly unheard of.

The first female military pilots began training 51 years ago when the Navy and Army sent women to pilot training in 1973. However, they were not allowed to fly combat missions for decades.

Captain Theresa M. Claiborne joined these women and shattered boundaries to become the first female African American pilot in the US Air Force (USAF) in 1981. She was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the USAF.

Simple Flying has contacted Captain Claiborne for a comment about her achievements and her challenges during her career.

A career spent breaking conventions

In 1990, Theresa was admitted to United Airlines as a first officer. She retired on May 23rd, 2024, at age 65, after flying for United Airlines for 34 years. She is the second-ever Black female pilot at United Airlines and, at the time of her retirement, one of only 25 Black female pilots at the airline. Her last landing was at Newark Liberty International Airport.

She took to Instagram to post about her retirement and her plans for the future. In her post, she said:

“I plan to spend my days inspiring young people to follow their dreams by turning them into goals, shattering glass ceilings, and defying all odds. I’ll be calling in my friends from all around the world to share their experiences to empower the next generation of trailblazers who are destined for greatness. It’s been a pleasure to be your Captain and an absolute honor to fly the friendly skies.”

Captain Claiborne has type ratings for the Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, and 787. She became a captain on the 757, 767, and 787 types. She is also a director and founder of Sisters of the Skies. This non-profit aims to make the next generation of aviation professionals more diverse by offering workshops, mentorships, and scholarships.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby congratulated Captain Claiborne on her career and retirement, saying:

“Congratulations to Captain Claiborne on a remarkable career. Her legacy and impact are an inspiration to so many current and future aviators. United is a better airline thanks to her decades of service and leadership and we wish her nothing but the best in retirement.”

In her 34 years of service with United, Claiborne has accumulated over 23,000 flight hours, showcasing her vast experience in various aircraft types.

About Captain Theresa Claiborne

Theresa M. Claiborne was born in 1959 to a military family. She attended the University of California at Berkeley for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) and discovered her love for flying.

On June 20, 1981, she was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force (USAF), the first Black woman ever to do so. She graduated in September 1982, after which she served on active duty for seven years while flying the Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker. She later became an instructor for the KC135E and a flight commander.

While in the military, Claiborne rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She retired from the USAF in January 2003 after accumulating over 3000 military flight hours.

Related

American Airlines’ Doug Parker Launches Nonprofit To Promote Diversity In Aviation

The nonprofit is called Breaking Down Barriers.


  • N14106 United Airlines (Her Art Here-California Livery) Boeing 757-224 (1)

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