Faith Nyasuguta
Pioneering aviator Captain Theresa M. Claiborne has retired after a distinguished 43-year career in aviation, starting as the first Black female pilot in the U.S. Air Force and concluding as a captain at United Airlines.
Claiborne joined United Airlines in January 1990 following seven years of active duty with the Air Force and 13 years in the Air Force Reserves. Her final landing for United took place at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, marking the end of her 34-year tenure with the airline. Over her career, Claiborne logged more than 23,000 flight hours.
In an Instagram post commemorating her retirement, Claiborne wrote, “I plan to spend my days inspiring young people to follow their dreams by turning them into goals, shattering glass ceilings, and defying all odds. I’ll be calling in my friends from all around the world to share their experiences to empower the next generation of trailblazers who are destined for greatness.” She concluded her post with, “It’s been a pleasure to be your Captain and an absolute honor to fly the friendly skies.”
At the time of her retirement, Claiborne was one of only 25 Black female pilots at United Airlines. According to United’s 2023 U.S. demographic data report, 15.1% of their frontline employees ”including pilots, flight attendants, gate agents, baggage handlers, and caterers ” are Black or African American.
United CEO Scott Kirby praised Claiborne’s career, stating, “Congratulations to Captain Claiborne on a remarkable career. Her legacy and impact are an inspiration to so many current and future aviators. United is a better airline thanks to her decades of service and leadership, and we wish her nothing but the best in retirement.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 93.7% of professional pilots in the U.S. are white and 92.5% are male. In a 2022 interview, Claiborne highlighted the significant financial barriers and generational and economic disadvantages that contribute to the lack of pilots of color. The average cost for the training and licensing required by the FAA to become a commercial pilot is nearly $100,000.
“That’s a lot of money. And financial institutions are not jumping at the bit to loan that kind of money to an aviation student,” Claiborne said. “We don’t have these long generations of pilots in the family.”
There are fewer than 200 Black female pilots in the U.S., according to the Sisters of the Skies Foundation, a nonprofit Claiborne co-founded in 2016 to increase that number through scholarships and mentorships.
Reflecting on her career, Claiborne told New York’s WABC TV, “I guess maybe I did make an impact, and that’s important. When you put your heart and soul into something and it turns out that people appreciated it and people listened and got something out of it, it makes it all the better.”
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