Captain Sonya Bissett and First Officer Lara Danaher operated Aer Lingus flight EI 650 from Dublin to Frankfurt, marking the first time a mother and daughter have flown a commercial aircraft together for the airline.
Aer Lingus Pilots Make History on Dublin to Frankfurt Route
The historic flight proceeded without incident from Dublin Airport to Frankfurt. Captain Sonya Bissett has been a commercial pilot with Aer Lingus for over 27 years. Her daughter, First Officer Lara Danaher, joined her for the milestone routing after completing the airline’s training pipeline.
“I remember when Lara was about four years of age, she always knew two pilots ‘flew the plane’,” Captain Bissett told RTÉ News, recounting how her daughter declared an early ambition to share the flight deck. “When I was putting on my uniform for work one day she said, ‘I know what mum, when I grow up, I’ll be a pilot, that way I can come to work with you and we can fly the plane together’.”
Did you know?
First Officer Lara Danaher secured her place on the flight deck through the Aer Lingus Future Pilot Programme, a 14-month course combining classroom study and practical flight training.
Future Pilot Programme Training and Career Path
First Officer Danaher pursued a multi-step educational and professional path before earning her commercial wings. She studied Aviation Management at DCU while working as a Flight Dispatcher at Dublin Airport for two years.
To fund initial practical training, Ms Danaher did shift work during her final college year, saving enough money to join a flying club and take lessons on her days off. Although her initial application to the airline’s Future Pilot Programme was unsuccessful, she reapplied and secured a spot in the 14-month training course.
“Getting into the Future Pilot Programme wasn’t easy. It had been a dream of mine since secondary school when I first learned about the programme through pilot career events,” Ms Danaher said, noting that her solo flight remains a major personal milestone.
Strict Flight Deck Procedures and Safety Protocols
Operating a commercial airliner as a family duo requires adherence to rigid operational guidelines. According to First Officer Danaher, personal relationships play no role once the cockpit door closes.
“Airlines have strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place to ensure that every flight is conducted safely and consistently,” Ms Danaher stated. “So, any relationship, parent and child, husband and wife, close friends are left outside the flight deck. Safety is always the highest priority.”
Captain Bissett echoed these sentiments, highlighting the broader evolution of gender demographics in commercial aviation. “It was once considered unusual to have one female in the flight deck. Nowadays it’s quite common and it’s certainly not unusual to have two female pilots fly together,” Captain Bissett told RTÉ News. “To see a mother and daughter flying together as Captain and First Officer is very rare, but I believe it shows that aviation is more accessible to women.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who operated the historic Aer Lingus mother-daughter flight?
Captain Sonya Bissett and her daughter, First Officer Lara Danaher, operated Aer Lingus flight EI 650 from Dublin to Frankfurt.
How did Lara Danaher become a pilot?
Ms Danaher studied Aviation Management at DCU, worked as a Flight Dispatcher at Dublin Airport, funded her initial flight lessons through shift work, and graduated from the Aer Lingus Future Pilot Programme.
Were there any special exceptions made for the family flight?
No. According to the pilots, strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) govern all flights, meaning personal relationships are left outside the cockpit and safety remains the top priority.
Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on this milestone in commercial aviation? Leave a comment below or share this article with fellow aviation enthusiasts.
Worth a look