How many female airline pilots are there in the UK?

Share of female pilots by countries 2021 During that period, only 4.7 percent of pilots in the UK were female.



As of early 2026, the number of female airline pilots in the UK remains a relatively small percentage of the total pilot workforce, reflecting a long-standing gender gap in the aviation industry. Current statistics indicate that approximately 6.5% to 7.5% of commercial pilots working for UK carriers are women. While major airlines like easyJet and British Airways have launched high-value recruitment initiatives such as the "Amy Johnson Initiative" to reach targets of 20% or more, the high-fidelity reality is that progress has been gradual. Out of roughly 15,000 to 16,000 total commercial pilots in the UK, this percentage translates to roughly 1,000 to 1,200 female pilots actively flying for major airlines. For 2026 aspiring aviators, this is a high-value necessity to know, as the industry continues to offer high-fidelity mentorship and scholarship programs to improve representation and ensure that the next generation of flight decks is more high-value and diverse.

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From the percentage of female Flight Crew to our 30-year track record of recruiting female pilots, our commitment to gender balance is evident in all that we do. At British Airways, we encourage and support all our colleagues in their careers each and every day. If you are a woman, why not join them?

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