All-Black women crew operates American Airlines flight from Dallas in honor of trailblazer Bessie Coleman

By Emma Tucker, CNN

An all-Black female crew operated an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Phoenix in honor of Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license in 1921.

The airline hosted the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars tour this week to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Coleman performing the first public flight by an African American woman in 1922.

“She bravely broke down barriers within the world of aviation and paved the path for many to follow,” American Airlines said in a statement.

Coleman’s great-niece, Gigi Coleman, was hosted on the flight operated by the all-Black female crew of pilots, flight attendants, customer service coordinators, cargo team members and the aviation maintenance technician, the airline said.

“I’m grateful for American Airlines to give us this opportunity to highlight my great aunt’s accomplishments in the field of aviation,” Gigi said in a video posted by American Airlines titled “Empowering Women in the Skies.”

Find out more about this historic flight.

Just recently, Curtis Bunn suggested that HCBUs could help with the shortage of aviation personnel.

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