United Airlines is about to make aviation history. As the carrier celebrates its 100th anniversary, veteran Boeing 787 captain Chresten Wilson is set to become the most senior pilot among United’s 18,000 aviators—and the first woman ever to hold that title.
Her rise is the culmination of a 42‑year career spent defying odds in a cockpit still dominated by men (women make up just 6% of pilots), and her story lands just as airlines face a massive pilot shortage and surging demand for new recruits.
“I’ve done something that no woman has accomplished,” the 64-year-old told Fortune, after just returning from a trip to Australia. “It just goes to show that it can be done and [I’m] trying to inspire more women to get into the field.”
Beyond the prestige and globe-trotting lifestyle, being a pilot comes with six-figure pay, is AI-proof, and—perhaps surprisingly—requires no college degree.
Airline pilots are in high demand—and salaries can stretch over $400,000
