Zoya Sapra Aggarwal: Meet the youngest female pilot to fly a Boeing 777

  Captain Zoya is more than just a pilot—she's a beacon of inspiration

Digital Desk: Meet Captain Zoya Sapra Aggarwal, a trailblazing commercial pilot whose wings have carried her across vast distances and brought hope to countless individuals. Picture this: soaring through the skies for 17 hours straight, covering a staggering 16,000 kilometers over the icy expanse of the North Pole. But her achievements don't end there. When the world was grappling with the challenges of a pandemic, Captain Zoya rose to the occasion, orchestrating the evacuation of millions of stranded Indians from 12 different countries, demonstrating extraordinary courage and compassion.

But Captain Zoya is more than just a pilot—she's a beacon of inspiration. Taking the stage as a TEDx speaker, she shares her remarkable journey, inspiring others to reach for the stars and break through barriers. Her accomplishments speak volumes, including becoming the youngest female pilot to command a Boeing 777, a testament to her determination and skill. Captain Zoya Sapra Aggarwal embodies the spirit of perseverance and excellence, proving that with passion and dedication, the sky's the limit.

A Mini Bio

In 2006, The Times of India spotlighted Agarwal as a rising star in Indian aviation. She made history in 2013 as the youngest female pilot to fly a Boeing-777 in India. In 2015, she earned praise for her quick thinking in saving a passenger's life by diverting a flight to get them medical help.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Agarwal was selected to co-pilot the first repatriation flight under the Vande Bharat Mission, which brought back thousands of stranded Indians from various countries.

In 2021, she led an all-female crew on a groundbreaking non-stop flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru, one of the world's longest routes. The crew even made a special appearance on Indian Idol. Agarwal was also chosen as a spokesperson for Generation Equality by the United Nations.

In August 2022, the San Francisco International Airport Aviation Museum honoured Agarwal for her exceptional career in aviation and her advocacy for women's empowerment.

Teaming up with co-pilots R Someshwar, Sandeep Mukhedkar, and Abhay Agarwal, Zoya Agarwal piloted Air India's first Boeing 777 over the Hindu Kush mountain range, significantly reducing flight time for one of Delhi's popular North America routes compared to the previous route taken since Afghan airspace closure.