Meet Captain Michelle Huntington, one of the few female airline captains in the world, who has spent her life soaring beyond limits — both in the skies and within herself. From being told as a teenager that “girls can’t be pilots” to commanding commercial aircraft for Virgin Australia, Michelle’s journey is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and faith in life’s timing. Her story, shared with Humans of Fuzia’s global community, reminds every woman that dreams don’t come with gender labels — only courage does.
Q: What inspired you to start your journey?
Michelle: As a young girl, I dreamed of becoming a pilot. Growing up on a Royal Australian Air Force base, I was surrounded by aircraft and adventure. My parents were very supportive, but in high school, I was told that “women couldn’t be pilots.” So, I did something else — I became an artist. Years later, I saw a woman my age learning to fly, and she reignited that spark in me. That’s when I decided to follow my childhood dream.
Q: What challenges have you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
Michelle: Being told no at a young age really shaped me. I was always the good girl who listened, so I took that “no” seriously and changed paths. But I’ve always given 110% to everything I do — art, travel, exhibitions — and each experience opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which was another tough moment. Thankfully, it was caught early, and I had incredible support from my workplace and family. Through everything, I’ve held one belief: everything always works out for me. Even in the hardest times, there’s a lesson waiting to be discovered.
Q: You’ve been a female airline captain — a true trailblazer. What are your thoughts on women in leadership today?
Michelle: There are only about 500 female airline captains in the world — that’s roughly 1.5% of all captains. So yes, we are a minority. Interestingly, India leads the world in the number of female pilots and captains, which is fantastic to see! Leadership isn’t about gender — it’s about perspective. Everyone brings different experiences and ways of leading. As long as the mission is achieved, diversity only makes the journey stronger.
Q: What message would you give to aspiring women leaders and dreamers?
Michelle: If someone tells you no, do it anyway — especially if it’s something that lights you up inside. Most people say no out of fear or insecurity. Be authentic, be yourself. I used to try to fit in with the “boys’ club” when I started flying — dressing and acting like them to blend in. But my real power was me. That’s what passengers and colleagues appreciated most — when I showed up as myself.
Q: Tell us a bit about your business and what success means to you.
Michelle: My husband and I run a training and high-performance business. He’s been doing it for over 35 years, and I joined him after leaving aviation post-COVID. We love learning and often take on new challenges together. For me, success isn’t a finish line — it’s about enjoying the journey. Once you hit a goal, it’s easy to ask, “what now?” So I believe real success is moving forward with excitement, helping others along the way, and sleeping well at night knowing you’ve made a difference.
“Be yourself. The world doesn’t need another version of someone else — it needs the most authentic version of you.” — Captain Michelle Huntington
Connect with Michelle Huntington:
Michelle Huntington | LinkedIn
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