Who Was the First Woman to Fly a Plane? Unveiling Aviation’s Female Pioneers

Since the dawn of powered flight, women have played an integral yet often understated role in aviation history. While the Wright brothers are rightly celebrated for their groundbreaking 12-second flight in 1903, the contributions of women began just a few years later and continue to shape the skies today. From early passengers to pioneering pilots, women have progressively broken barriers, achieving full access to military and commercial cockpits, space exploration, and aerospace technology. Today, women are a vital part of every facet of aviation, from airline pilots and military aviators to air racers, instructors, and engineers. But when we look back at the very beginning, the question arises: Who Was The First Woman To Fly A Plane? The answer, like the history of women in aviation itself, is rich and multifaceted.

The narrative often begins with Thrse Peltier, a French aviator born Thrse Juliette Cochet (1873–1926). Popular accounts often mistakenly credit her as the first woman passenger in an airplane on July 8, 1908. However, emerging evidence and historical re-evaluation suggest a more significant achievement: Thrse Peltier may well deserve recognition as the first woman to pilot an aircraft, allegedly as early as September 17, 1908. While documentation from this early period is scarce and sometimes contradictory, the assertion that Peltier took the controls, even if briefly, positions her as a crucial early figure in women’s flight history. Her contributions, though perhaps not as widely celebrated as others, mark a pivotal moment, suggesting that women were not merely passengers but active participants in the very infancy of aviation.

While the details surrounding Peltier’s potential piloting achievement are debated, the timeline of early female aviators quickly expands. Blanche Stuart Scott holds the distinguished title of the first American woman to fly solo in an airplane, accomplishing this feat on September 2, 1910. Just prior to Scott’s solo flight, another Frenchwoman, Elise Deroche (1882-1919), known by her alias Baroness Raymonde de Laroche, secured her place in history. On March 8, 1910, Deroche became the world’s first woman pilot to earn an airplane pilot license. This license, the 36th issued by the Aeroclub de France – the pioneering organization for pilot certifications – solidified her status as a groundbreaking figure.

Following in these pioneering footsteps, Harriet Quimby (1875-1912) further propelled women’s advancement in aviation. On August 1, 1911, Quimby became the first U.S. woman pilot to earn an Aero Club of America aviator’s certificate. Her ambition soared even higher when, on April 16, 1912, she achieved another remarkable milestone, becoming the first woman to fly across the English Channel. These early achievements were not isolated incidents. By 1930, the number of women pilots had grown to approximately 200, and by 1935, this number surged to between 700 and 800 licensed women pilots, demonstrating the increasing momentum of women in aviation.

The early history of women in flight also includes significant, though sometimes less publicized, roles beyond piloting. Mrs. Hart O. Berg, or Edit Berg, the spouse of the Wright brothers’ European business agent, played a unique part in aviation lore. In 1908, Wilbur Wright was in France demonstrating the Wright Model A. Edit Berg, witnessing his demonstrations in Le Mans, was captivated and requested a flight. On October 7, 1908, she became the first American woman to fly as a passenger in an airplane. Her two-minute, seven-second flight, though as a passenger, captured public imagination and even inadvertently influenced fashion. Famously, she secured her skirt with a rope during the flight to prevent it from billowing in the wind. This practical measure was observed by a French fashion designer and is rumored to have inspired the “Hobble Skirt” fashion, though designer Paul Poirier disputed this origin, claiming independent creation.

Another influential woman in aviation’s early days was Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001), an accomplished author and aviator, and the wife of Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh actively participated in her husband’s aviation endeavors. On January 29, 1930, her six-minute glider flight earned her third-class, second-class, and first-class glider licenses simultaneously, making her the first American woman to earn a first-class glider pilot’s license. She was more than just a licensed glider pilot; Anne served as Charles’s co-pilot, navigator, and radio operator on pioneering explorations. Together, they charted air routes for commercial airlines, surveyed routes across continents and the Caribbean for Pan American’s airmail service, and in 1931, journeyed from Canada and Alaska to Japan and China in a single-engine airplane. Their 1933 five-and-a-half-month, 30,000-mile survey of North and South Atlantic air routes, also in a single-engine Lockheed “Sirius,” was described by Charles as even more challenging than his famous New York-to-Paris flight.

No discussion of early women in aviation is complete without mentioning Amelia Earhart (1897–1937). An iconic American aviation pioneer and author, Earhart achieved unparalleled fame and inspired generations. She was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for her groundbreaking solo transatlantic flight in 1932. Earhart continuously broke records, authored bestselling books about her experiences, and played a crucial role in forming The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots, becoming its first elected president. Her passion extended to education; in 1935, she joined Purdue University as a visiting faculty member, counseling women on careers and fostering a love for aviation. Her attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937, in a Purdue-funded Lockheed Model 10 Electra, tragically ended when she disappeared over the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island, cementing her legendary status and enduring mystery. Interestingly, her path to aviation was influenced by her time as a nurse’s aide in Toronto during World War I, where exposure to injured pilots ignited her passion for flight.

Recognizing the global impact of women in aviation, the ICAO Museum in Montreal features an exhibit dedicated to First Licensed Women Pilots from different regions worldwide. This collection of frames highlights pioneers from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America, underscoring the international scope of women’s contributions to flight.

In conclusion, pinpointing “who was the first woman to fly a plane” depends on the nuances of “flying” and “plane.” While Thrse Peltier may have been the first to pilot an aircraft, albeit potentially briefly, Raymonde de Laroche definitively holds the title of the first licensed female pilot. Regardless of the specific title, it is clear that the early years of aviation saw remarkable women like Peltier, De Laroche, Scott, Quimby, Berg, Lindbergh, and Earhart, among many others, fearlessly pushing boundaries and establishing a lasting legacy for women in the skies. Their courage, skill, and determination paved the way for future generations of women in aviation, ensuring their continued and growing presence in every aspect of flight.