Etihad Airways A380 flight takes off with its first all-female crew

UAE's national carrier marks International Women's Day with Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow service staffed by women

Etihad Airways Captain Faela Stevenson, left, with cabin crew Loredana-Iuliana Lupu. Courtesy Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways marked International Women's Day with a first for the UAE's national airline carrier — a service staffed by an all-female crew.

Flight EY17 took off from Abu Dhabi bound for London Heathrow on time at 1.45pm on Friday. It was expected to land in the UK at about 5.45pm local time (9.45pm UAE).

French Captain Sophie Blanchard and Irish Captain Faela Stevenson piloted the Airbus A380 along with First Officers Pirre Susana Leese from Finland and Liesbeth Baldewijns from Belgium.

The 19-member all-female cabin crew from 13 nationalities were in charge of 398 guests.

“On International Women’s Day, we’re so proud to have thousands of strong, ambitious and talented women working with us across the entire value chain both above and below the wing," said Amina Taher, Vice President Corporate Affairs at Etihad Aviation Group.

The flight operation brought together women in roles including pilots and cabin crew, engineers, technicians, a technical safety manager, a flight dispatcher and a load controller, Etihad said.

International Women's Day was also marked inside Abu Dhabi International airport. Travellers were able to see artwork featuring four of Etihad’s inspiring female employees.

Women landing in Abu Dhabi were treated to a welcome card and flowers to mark the global occasion, while outbound guests on board Etihad Airways flights heard a welcome announcement on board celebrating the day.

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