Delta Air Lines continues to break barriers with its annual Women Inspiring the Next Generation (WING) Flight, a program designed to ignite young girls’ passion for aviation and aerospace. Since its inception in 2015, this groundbreaking initiative, in partnership with Women in Aviation International, offers girls a firsthand look into careers they may have never imagined, from piloting to engineering—all traditionally male-dominated fields.
On September 20, 136 girls, ages 11-18, embarked on a life-changing journey, flying from Atlanta to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a chartered Boeing 737-900. In a powerful display of female leadership, the entire flight—pilots, crew, and ground staff—were all women. For the third year in a row, Delta remains the only airline to land directly at Cape Canaveral, the historic home of space exploration.
“If you have any questions, even five years from now, you can always call me,” said Captain Cheri Rohlfing as she encouraged a young aspiring pilot. This heartfelt sentiment echoed throughout the day, as Delta’s female crew members mentored the students, emphasizing that with hard work and big dreams, anything is possible.
The flight, which began with a ceremonial water cannon salute from the Atlanta Fire Department, aimed to inspire and empower girls from nine schools focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). With Delta’s continued support of STEM programs in the Atlanta Public School System, the selected students received breakfast, Delta goodies, and friendship bracelets—complete with 3D-printed Delta widget charms, created by Delta’s TechOps team.
Upon arrival at the Kennedy Space Center, the students engaged in an inspiring “Women in STEM” panel, explored interactive exhibits like the Space Shuttle Atlantis® and the Apollo/Saturn V Center, and learned from NASA leaders about the limitless possibilities in space and aviation.
For Delta First Officer Hiwot Taddesse, the day was particularly meaningful: “Like so many of these young girls, I always knew I wanted to fly, but I didn’t know anyone in the industry to guide me. Events like the WING Flight show our next generation that their dreams can take flight too.”
Delta, where 42% of the workforce is female, is dedicated to increasing the number of women in roles like piloting and technical operations. The WING Flight is just one of the many initiatives aimed at closing the gender gap in aviation and building a diverse talent pipeline.
“Seeing the possibilities for a fulfilling career in aviation is the first step toward believing you can achieve it,” said Gina Laughlin, Vice President of Global Brand Communications at Delta. “Delta’s WING Flight is about celebrating these opportunities and inspiring the future generation of aviation professionals.”
As Delta continues to break barriers and create opportunities, the WING Flight stands as a powerful testament to the airline’s commitment to fostering a new generation of women in aviation.
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