JetBlue marked Women’s History Month with a powerful initiative aimed at inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals. The airline hosted its annual Fly Like a Girl event in Fort Lauderdale, bringing together young students, aviation professionals, educators, and community leaders for a day dedicated to mentorship, learning, and exploration within the aviation industry.
Now in its 12th year, the Fly Like a Girl program has become a cornerstone of JetBlue’s community engagement efforts. The initiative is designed to spark interest among young girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while highlighting the wide variety of career paths available in aviation. By providing direct interaction with female professionals working across different areas of the airline—from pilots and engineers to technicians and executives—the program aims to break down barriers and demonstrate that aviation is a field open to everyone.
Inspiring the Next Generation Through Hands-On Aviation Experiences
The Fort Lauderdale event welcomed more than 100 students between the ages of 10 and 14, offering them a unique opportunity to explore the world of aviation through hands-on experiences. Participants engaged in interactive activities, behind-the-scenes tours, aircraft demonstrations, and discussions with JetBlue crewmembers who shared their personal career journeys.
Young attendees were able to interact directly with women working in key aviation roles. Female pilots discussed the path to the cockpit and the rigorous training required to become commercial aviators. Engineers and technicians explained the complex systems that keep aircraft operating safely and efficiently, while airline leaders spoke about the importance of innovation and leadership within the industry.
Through these conversations and activities, students gained an understanding of the wide range of skills required to operate a modern airline. From flight operations and maintenance to technology, customer service, and logistics, aviation offers numerous career opportunities that rely heavily on STEM education.
JetBlue designed the event to make these career paths tangible and relatable. Instead of simply talking about aviation careers, the program encourages students to experience them firsthand, helping young participants imagine themselves working in these roles in the future.
Collaboration With Community Partners
The Fly Like a Girl event was made possible through collaboration among several organizations connected to JetBlue. Key partners included Jetscape Services, the airline’s internal Women in Flight Crewmember Resource Group, the airline’s Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact team, and the JetBlue Foundation.
These groups worked together to organize the program and create an engaging learning environment for students. Volunteers from across JetBlue’s workforce participated in the event, demonstrating the airline’s commitment to mentorship and community outreach.
In addition to aviation professionals, the event was attended by local government officials and community leaders. Among them was Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who joined the celebration and spoke about the importance of initiatives that encourage young women to explore careers traditionally dominated by men.
The presence of community leaders underscored the broader significance of the program—not only as an educational opportunity but also as part of a wider effort to promote diversity and inclusion in the aviation workforce.
Celebrating JetBlue’s Long Relationship With Fort Lauderdale
Hosting the event in Fort Lauderdale carried particular significance for JetBlue. The airline has maintained a strong connection with the city for more than two decades. In fact, some of JetBlue’s earliest flights landed in Fort Lauderdale over 26 years ago, marking the beginning of a long-standing relationship with the region.
Today, the airline maintains a major operational presence at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, where it operates as one of the leading carriers. Thousands of JetBlue crewmembers work throughout South Florida, contributing to the region’s aviation industry and local economy.
JetBlue leadership emphasized that bringing Fly Like a Girl back to South Florida reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the community.
Ursula Hurley, President of the JetBlue Foundation and Chief Financial Officer of JetBlue, highlighted the significance of the region in the airline’s history and future.
According to Hurley, Fort Lauderdale has been an integral part of JetBlue’s journey since the airline’s earliest days. She noted that the airline remains proud to continue investing in the region and supporting initiatives that benefit its people and communities. Hurley explained that hosting the Fly Like a Girl event in South Florida demonstrates JetBlue’s dedication to the future of Fort Lauderdale, from its diverse workforce and culture to the aviation infrastructure that helps power the airline’s operations.
Encouraging More Women to Enter Aviation
The aviation industry has historically been male dominated, particularly in technical roles such as piloting and aircraft maintenance. Programs like Fly Like a Girl aim to address this imbalance by introducing young girls to aviation careers early in life.
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz praised the initiative for opening doors to new possibilities for young women in Florida. She emphasized that events like this showcase the wide range of opportunities available in aviation and help inspire girls to consider careers they may not have previously imagined.
According to Wasserman Schultz, programs that provide mentorship and real-world exposure are essential for encouraging young women to pursue careers in fields where they have traditionally been underrepresented.
By meeting female aviation professionals and learning about their experiences, participants gain role models who demonstrate that success in these fields is achievable.
STEM Learning Through the Museum of Discovery and Science
This year’s Fly Like a Girl event also featured participation from the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), a JetBlue Foundation grantee based in Fort Lauderdale. The museum contributed to the event through its STEMobile, a traveling science laboratory designed to bring hands-on STEM learning directly to students.
The STEMobile offers engaging educational activities that introduce young learners to scientific concepts through experimentation and problem solving. At the Fly Like a Girl event, educators from MODS guided students through interactive demonstrations that illustrated principles related to aviation and engineering.
The program encourages students to apply the engineering design process, challenging them to tackle real-world problems and develop creative solutions. By combining science education with aviation themes, the STEMobile helps participants understand how STEM skills are used in everyday industries such as air travel.
Joseph P. Cox, President and CEO of the Museum of Discovery and Science, highlighted the value of partnerships like this one. He explained that connecting people with inspiring scientific experiences is central to the museum’s mission. Programs like Fly Like a Girl transform aviation into a hands-on STEM learning opportunity that builds confidence and curiosity among young students.
Cox also noted that through initiatives like the museum’s Aviation Academy and STEMobile outreach programs, students can begin to envision themselves as future pilots, engineers, and innovators.
Expanding Access to STEM Education
JetBlue’s commitment to STEM education extends beyond a single event. Through the JetBlue Foundation, the airline supports numerous educational initiatives that aim to expand access to high-quality STEM programs for students across the United States.
Icema Gibbs, JetBlue’s Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact, emphasized the importance of providing young people with opportunities to explore STEM careers in meaningful ways. She explained that programs like Fly Like a Girl help make these fields tangible and exciting by demonstrating real-world applications.
According to Gibbs, when students can see and interact with professionals working in aviation, they begin to recognize the many career possibilities available to them. This exposure can play a critical role in shaping future educational and career choices.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Museum of Discovery and Science, the JetBlue Foundation continues to invest in programs that support students’ academic development while inspiring them to pursue careers in aviation and related industries.
Strengthening South Florida’s Aviation Community
South Florida remains one of JetBlue’s most important operational regions. The airline employs thousands of people throughout the area and continues to expand its services across the state.
Fort Lauderdale, in particular, serves as a major gateway within JetBlue’s network. The airline operates numerous domestic and international flights from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, connecting passengers to destinations throughout the Americas and beyond.
JetBlue’s presence in the region has helped strengthen the local aviation ecosystem, supporting jobs in areas such as airport operations, aircraft maintenance, customer service, and logistics.
By hosting community events like Fly Like a Girl, the airline not only promotes education but also helps cultivate the future workforce that will support the aviation industry in years to come.
Looking Toward the Future of Aviation
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the need for skilled professionals in STEM-related fields is expected to grow. Airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and technology companies are increasingly seeking talent with expertise in engineering, data science, sustainability, and advanced aviation technologies.
Programs like Fly Like a Girl play an important role in preparing the next generation for these opportunities. By inspiring students at a young age and providing them with exposure to real-world aviation careers, JetBlue hopes to help shape a more diverse and innovative future workforce.
The success of the Fort Lauderdale event demonstrates the impact that community engagement and educational partnerships can have in encouraging young people to explore new possibilities.
As JetBlue continues to invest in STEM education and outreach programs, initiatives like Fly Like a Girl will remain an important part of the airline’s efforts to inspire future aviators, engineers, and leaders—ensuring that the next generation is ready to take flight in the evolving world of aviation.
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