Delta's first Black female pilot reflects on International Women's Day

In 1997, Stephanie Johnson became Northwest Airlines first Black female pilot. In 2016, she was the first to break through that ceiling at Delta. (Photo credit: Laura McDermott)

Captain Stephanie Johnson made history by becoming Northwest Airlines’ first Black female captain and then doing the same thing at Delta Airlines.

Johnson has been a commercial airline pilot for more than two decades.

She joined “All Things Considered” on International Women’s Day to discuss how the industry has changed over the course of her career and what she would say to potential future pilots.



Although Johnson said it used to be rare to fly with another woman, it has become somewhat more common, and now she has the chance to develop a network of female peers.

Christopher Alston contributed to this report.