Theresa Claiborne: First Black Woman USAF Pilot Retires from United

Retired United Airlines Captain Theresa Claiborne has become a viral sensation on TikTok, bringing attention to her groundbreaking career. She holds the distinction of being the first Black woman pilot commissioned in the US Air Force. After serving in the military, she joined United Airlines in 1990 and spent 34 years flying various Boeing aircraft.

Her career comes at a time when diversity in aviation is a topic of national debate. Claiborne has spoken out against recent criticisms of diversity initiatives, asserting that all pilots must be fully qualified. Beyond the cockpit, she actively works to increase representation through her nonprofit, Sisters of the Skies.

Theresa Claiborne began her aviation journey in a military family. She was commissioned as an Air Force second lieutenant in 1981 and quickly made history. She became the service's first Black woman pilot, a significant achievement in a male-dominated field at the time.

Training was rigorous and limited. Claiborne noted that the Air Force initially accepted only 10 women a year for pilot training. She earned her spot after the program expanded to 30. Her primary aircraft was the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, an aerial refueler.

Despite her success, Claiborne faced constant pressure to prove her capabilities. She often felt she had to work harder to gain the same benefit of the doubt as her white male counterparts. She retired from the Air Force Reserves in 2003 as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1990, Claiborne joined United Airlines as a flight engineer on the Boeing 727. At the time, she was one of only a few Black women pilots at the company. Over the next three decades, she climbed the seniority ranks and flew nearly every major Boeing passenger jet.

Her flight log includes the 737, 747, 757, 767, and 787 Dreamliner. She described flying the massive Boeing 747 double-decker as her favorite. Standing only five feet two inches tall, she joked about handling the large aircraft, stating she could "fly with her fingertips."

She retired in May 2024 as a captain on the 787. Claiborne noted that the transition from military to commercial flying was smooth skill-wise, though the missions changed from combat logistics to safely transporting passengers. She also highlighted that airline pay was significantly higher than military salaries.

Claiborne's viral fame coincides with a heated national conversation regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in aviation. Recent statements by political figures, including the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have questioned whether lowered standards are affecting safety.

Claiborne has called this messaging "damaging." She firmly believes that women and people of color bring valuable skills to the industry. She stated, "No airline is going to hire people just because; there's too much responsibility."

She emphasized that every person in the flight deck is qualified. Statistics show that the industry remains largely homogenous: roughly 82% of US airline pilots are white, while Black women hold fewer than 150 pilot licenses of any kind.

Through her experience, Theresa Claiborne has become a mentor for the next generation. In 2017, she co-founded the nonprofit Sisters of the Skies. The organization provides mentorship and scholarships to young women of color interested in aviation.

Her goal upon retiring was to see at least 10 women who looked like her working at United. She believes that representation matters, stating, "If you can see it, you can be it."

Claiborne continues to advocate for the profession. She advises aspiring pilots to ignore the "chatter" about lowered standards and to simply be the best they can be. Her career serves as a testament to the value of perseverance and excellence in the cockpit.