In a groundbreaking achievement that is inspiring a new generation, Zoey Williams, a 27-year-old trailblazer, has made history as the first Black female pilot to fly a Boeing 777 for Air Canada. The roar of jet engines was a familiar sound during her childhood, but never did she envision that one day she would be at the controls of a commercial airliner.
Growing up in an airline family, with her father serving as a long-time Air Canada pilot, Williams and her siblings were raised amidst the unique challenges and demands of the aviation industry. “When Air Canada called and they needed someone to fly, my dad didn’t have childcare, so they would book us onto the flight,” she recalls with a laugh. This unconventional lifestyle, however, initially deterred her from pursuing a career in piloting. “I thought dressing up for red-eye flights was normal… turns out it’s not.”
Despite these early reservations, Williams found her path not only in aviation but also in breaking barriers. Today, on February 12, 2025, she proudly reflects on her remarkable journey to the cockpit. According to a report by The Honest Talk News, “I love that in aviation, everyone’s got their own story of how they got here,” she shared. “I’ve never heard two stories that are the same. It’s definitely been an interesting road for me.”
Overcoming Fear
In her household, it was common for her father to encourage his children to explore flying, offering familiarization flights that piqued her curiosity. However, her first experience was far from smooth; turbulence shook the small aircraft, leaving Williams terrified and vowing never to fly again. Yet, her adventurous spirit wouldn’t let fear win. “It was one of those things that became very nagging. I kept thinking about the experience,” she admitted. “I didn’t want to live my life in fear, so I decided to go back up.”
And return she did, repeatedly facing her fears until she earned her pilot’s license and discovered her passion for aviation. “I always joke that I liked the idea of freedom more than I didn’t like the idea of flying,” she stated. “I was a bit stubborn and just adamant that I wasn’t going to let fear conquer my life.”
Taking to the Skies
Her aviation journey truly took flight from that pivotal moment. Encouraged by her father, Williams began her career at the local airport, towing and fueling planes. “I worked really hard, and physically it was a tough job,” she reflected. “But you gain a first-hand appreciation for these systems surrounding you that allow an operation to run.”
From there, she embraced various roles within the aviation industry, becoming a flight instructor and flying to remote communities in northern Ontario, delivering essential supplies and connecting residents to services only accessible by air.
The pandemic, while challenging for many in the industry, provided Williams with the opportunity to return to school and earn her Master’s Degree. Upon her return to flying, she took on domestic and transborder flights, ultimately landing her dream job with Air Canada, piloting the Boeing 777.
One of her proudest moments came when she had the chance to fly alongside her father in the commercial flight deck, a goal she had set as a teenager. “The day it happened was unforgettable,” she recalled. “Professionalism comes first, but there were still moments where we looked at each other and thought, ‘I can’t believe we’re here.’”
The Power of Representation
Williams is acutely aware of the importance of representation in her field. “I can acknowledge that I don’t see other people around me that look like me, and representation is so important,” she said. Yet, it’s in her interactions with young women that the impact of her role as a pilot truly resonates.
Recently, a captain shared a video of Williams with his daughter, igniting her excitement about pursuing aviation. “I’ve had women of all ages approach me at the airport, saying, ‘I didn’t know we could do this; I didn’t know we had the option to do this,’” she explained. “That always really stuck with me and was quite heartbreaking. My question is always, ‘Who told you you couldn’t?’”
These conversations inspired Williams and her sister to create a children’s book focused on aviation, aiming to inspire future generations not to give up on their dreams. “I’m looking forward to sharing it and hopefully getting the message to younger and younger people that you have to believe in yourself above anything else,” she said.
A Passion That Inspires
While balancing her full-time role as a pilot, professor, and entrepreneur, Williams remains committed to her advocacy and mentorship work. “When you love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life,” she affirmed. “I know I love what I do. All of it feeds my passion in different areas and provides me opportunities to give back or connect with people, and that’s very important to me.”
As she soars to new heights, Zoey Williams is not just flying planes; she is paving the way for others to follow in her footsteps, proving that with determination and resilience, the sky is truly the limit.
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