From Cabin Crew to Cockpit: Meet the Inspiring Women Changing Singapore’s Skies
SINGAPORE — Captain Vanessa Khaw, now an Airbus A320 pilot and instructor with Scoot, began her aviation career in a very different seat — as a cabin crew member at Singapore Airlines. Today, she’s part of a small but growing number of women pilots in Singapore, with only 61 female pilots across Scoot and Singapore Airlines, representing just 1.9% of the SIA Group’s 3,245-strong pilot workforce.
Her transformation from flight attendant to captain wasn’t an easy one. Sparked by cockpit visits during her cabin crew days and a love for the sunrise views mid-flight, Khaw left her job in 2007 to pursue her dream of flying.
She trained at Singapore Flying College, earned her commercial pilot licence in 2009, and joined Tigerair the following year. After the airline merged with Scoot, she continued flying Airbus A320s and A321s. Recently, she took on the role of instructor, mentoring cadets and helping shape the next generation of aviators.
Khaw’s path came with major hurdles — family concerns, financial strain, and repeated rejections. Still, she pressed on, funding her training through personal savings and family support.
She emphasizes that success in the cockpit isn’t about gender: “Whether you’re male or female, the standards are the same.” Khaw also enjoys a balanced life today, flying regional routes and returning home daily to her two daughters — both of whom hope to follow in her footsteps.
Growing Space for Women in the Skies
While the number of female pilots in Singapore remains low, it’s rising. SIA Group has grown from 1.4% women pilots in 2021–22 to 1.9% in 2023–24. Still, this lags behind countries like India (14.4%) and Australia’s Qantas (7.5%).
Industry leaders like Mabel Kwan, vice-president of the Women in Aviation Singapore chapter, cite lack of awareness and misconceptions about the profession as major barriers for young women. She believes greater exposure through mentorship and stories like Khaw’s could inspire change.
At Scoot, Khaw is part of an all-female pilot chat group, showing how a sense of community is growing among women aviators.
Another Inspiring Flight Path: Lim Wen Shan’s Story
Jetstar Asia’s Senior First Officer Lim Wen Shan took a different but equally inspiring path. She flew C-130s in the Republic of Singapore Air Force for 14 years before switching to commercial aviation in 2019.
With a looming retirement at age 50 in the military, she transitioned by self-funding a commercial pilot conversion course in the US — a more affordable route than starting from scratch as a cadet.
Her civilian career milestone came in December 2024, when she flew her mother on a commercial flight for the first time — a touching moment after years of piloting military aircraft without passengers.
Breaking Stereotypes, Inspiring the Future
Both Khaw and Lim overcame societal norms, financial obstacles, and structural barriers to pursue their aviation dreams. Their stories reflect a slow but steady shift in the traditionally male-dominated aviation sector in Singapore.
These women are not just flying planes — they’re paving runways for future generations to soar.
