Vanessa Khaw, inspired by cockpit sunrises, overcame family doubts to become a pilot.
Now a captain, she trains others, defying stereotypes.
In 2004, Vanessa Khaw, then a Singapore Airlines flight attendant, marveled at cockpit sunrises while serving pilots’ meals. The view inspired her to pursue piloting, leading her to quit her cabin crew role in 2007 after 3.5 years. She funded most of her commercial pilot license at Singapore Flying College in 2009, covering the six-figure cost with personal savings and family loans, despite their objections. Her family warned that piloting was a “men’s job” and feared it would deter suitors, but her resolve won them over.
Facing rejections from multiple airlines, Khaw secured her break with Tigerair in 2010. Now a 41-year-old captain with Scoot, she flies Airbus A320 and A321 planes and became a flight instructor in 2024. One of 61 female pilots among SIA Group’s 3,245 (1.9%), per 2023–2024 data, she credits pioneers like Captain Vanessa Ess, SilkAir’s first female cadet in 2001, for showing the path. On X, posts like @AviationDream’s, with 1,500 views, call her “Singapore’s sky trailblazer.”
Khaw, who flew an all-women crew flight to Chiang Mai on March 8, 2025, for International Women’s Day, emphasizes equal standards for all pilots. Operating regional flights, she balances life with her two daughters, who aspire to fly.
With only 5% of global pilots female, per a 2024 aviation report, Khaw’s journey highlights the need for awareness to inspire young women. Her story underscores determination in breaking barriers.
