Rachel Gilmour may look like a fresh-faced teenager just starting her career, but she’s been shattering expectations as one of the world’s youngest airline captains.
Though it’s hard to officially confirm, she’s certainly matched the record set by Kate McWilliams in 2019, becoming the world’s youngest female commercial airline captain at just 26 years old.
Rachel told the Telegraph: ‘People love to label stories, but I’m definitely one of the youngest female captains around.’
Her youthful looks often spark confusion with passengers on her flights for Loganair, a Scottish airline.
Many mistake her for cabin crew, which she remarks is ‘just gender stereotyping,’ adding ‘in winter especially, when I wear my jumper, there’s nothing saying that I am Captain. I think it’s because I don’t have my stripes on.’
Despite occasional misunderstandings from passengers, Rachel says the crew members are nothing but supportive: ‘I’ve been supported by the team and my colleagues and nothing [derogatory] has ever been said to me.’
While female pilots are becoming less of a rarity, the numbers are still low. Women make up just 6 percent of pilots worldwide.
Yet, Rachel remains determined to be a role model for young girls aspiring to join the industry, especially with the rise in female pilot licences.
Rachel Gilmour may look like a fresh-faced teenager just starting her career, but she’s been shattering expectations as one of the world’s youngest airline captains
Between 2019 and 2023, the UK saw a 26 percent increase in female pilot licences, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
A huge barrier to becoming a pilot is the cost. Training can set students back £100,000, making aviation seem out of reach for many.
However, Rachel took a different route, earning her private pilot’s licence before pursuing her commercial qualifications while gaining on-the-job experience.
‘You’ve got to be determined,’ she says. ‘The exams are tough.’
Her hard work paid off, and at just 26, she became a captain – just five years over the minimum legal age for commercial pilots.
In the cockpit, Rachel explains, there are two seats: the captain’s on the left and the first officer’s on the right.
However, Rachel took a different route, earning her private pilot’s licence before pursuing her commercial qualifications while gaining on-the-job experience
While both work together, it’s the captain who bears the final responsibility: ‘There are tough decisions to make. It’s a big jump in responsibility.’
Despite the challenges, Rachel’s favourite flight is still the stunning route from Glasgow to Stornoway over the Outer Hebrides.
‘There’s nothing like a clear, sunny day flying over the sea. Even though the routes are the same, the weather and conditions always make each flight unique.’
She even took her parents on the scenic Stornoway route, showing them her world. ‘It was a special moment. As much as I tell them what I do, they only truly understand when they experience it.’
Rachel’s journey to the cockpit began when she was still in school. At the time, she wasn’t interested in the traditional university route. ‘I knew I wanted something dynamic,’ she recalls. ‘I love travel, and I knew aviation was the right fit for me.’
