In the Left Seat: Two Emirates Captains on Leadership and Learning at 35,000 Feet

When an airline's first officer becomes a captain, the move from the right seat of the flight deck to the left is measured in little more than a meter. But the shift in responsibility is far greater.

For Captains Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri, that move came earlier this year, when they earned their fourth stripes and became Emirates' first Emirati female captains, both flying the airline's GE90-powered Boeing 777 fleet. "Sitting in the left seat of a Boeing 777 is a moment I never take for granted," said Captain Jawad.

What she thinks about most is not the milestone itself, but the responsibility that comes with it.

"On every flight, I think of the trust placed in us by the hundreds of passengers and crew in the back of the plane. That trust keeps us prepared, committed, and upholding the highest standards."

For Captain Al Mheiri, who also flies the Boeing 777, moving to the left seat was about much more than the fourth stripe on her uniform. The added responsibility is all about safety. "On any flight, regarding any decision, safety is our number one priority."

But commanding an aircraft requires more than technical expertise. It also requires the ability to lead a crew, communicate clearly, and understand the people around you. "As a leader, you must learn soft skills - good communication, good listening, understanding what matters to and motivates people," she said.

A journey built over years

Reaching the captain's seat was the culmination of years of training for both pilots, beginning with Emirates' National Cadet Pilot Programme. Together, their stories reflect a development journey spanning 15 years - one shaped not only by determination, resilience and a commitment to continuous learning, but also by the training, mentorship and opportunities provided throughout their careers at Emirates.

Both captains are quick to credit the many people who supported them along the way.

"Success is never achieved alone," said Captain Jawad. "Every instructor, every first officer, every captain I served with has shaped me as the pilot and leader I am today." Captain Al Mheiri sees the same collective effort behind every flight.

"We may be the ones sitting at the front of the airplane, but we are part of a much larger web of people who make every flight a success," she said, referring to cabin crew, aircraft engineers, technicians, ground staff and the thousands of people who helped manufacture the aircraft's engines.

Captain Al Mheiri's own path also required adapting to challenges along the way. Having completed most of her primary and secondary education in Arabic, moving into aviation training in English meant learning a new technical discipline while operating in another language.

"It was like learning two things at the same time - a language alongside aviation studies. But it was a fantastic change and offered a tremendous learning curve." Those experiences have also shaped how they approach leadership.

"Confidence [as a leader] and humility go hand in hand," said Captain Jawad. "You have to trust your training. You have to be open to continuous learning."

No two flights are the same

For both captains, one of the most appealing parts of the job is its constant variability. A familiar route does not necessarily mean a familiar flight. Weather, crew, aircraft and operating conditions can differ, requiring the captains to continuously assess what is happening around them and make decisions accordingly.

"Even if you've flown the Dubai-Dammam route 1,000 times, on this day, it may be different," said Captain Al Mheiri. "One thing you learn as you become a commander is to never stop learning. You can always learn more. What was right yesterday might not be right today."

Planning begins well before takeoff and continues throughout the flight, from assessing weather and operating conditions to making decisions about climbing, descent and how to operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

"Every flight brings something different," said Captain Jawad. "It keeps you thinking, learning, and adapting. I also enjoy working with people from so many different backgrounds."

'GE90, what an incredible machine'

For both captains, the Boeing 777-300 ER and the GE Aerospace GE90 engines that exclusively power the aircraft have been a familiar part of their work lives - and they are passionate about both.

"I've had the privilege of flying with the GE90 for many years, so it's an engine I've come to know and trust for consistently delivering outstanding performance across every environment," said Captain Jawad, noting that this is especially important for long-haul flights, where conditions at departure and arrival airports can be so different. "From a pilot's perspective, the GE90 really stands out. You rarely have to think about the engine during flight because it operates exactly as it's supposed to," she said. Captain Al Mheiri is equally enthusiastic about the aircraft and its engines.

"What an incredible machine! We fly to almost every part of the world - whether to a high-elevation airport in Mexico or to a short runway in Newcastle. Whatever the performance required, we trust the GE90 to deliver what we need."

Their experience with the GE90 engine is also part of a much longer relationship between Emirates and GE Aerospace, built over decades as the airline has grown into one of the world's leading international carriers.

'Just another day at the office'

Becoming Emirates' first Emirati female captains carries particular significance for Captain Jawad and Captain Al Mheiri. Both are proud of the achievement, but their ambitions extend beyond being "first."

For Captain Jawad, one of the most rewarding changes over the course of her career has been seeing more Emirati women consider aviation as a profession.

"It's a responsibility I carry with great humility. When I joined the cadet program, there were very few Emirati women in aviation. That's why seeing more Emirati women entering this field today is so rewarding, and why I would love to inspire even one young lady to believe that this profession is a possibility for her too," she said.

Captain Al Mheiri similarly describes becoming one of Emirates' first Emirati female captains as both an honor and a responsibility.

"They have emphasized their vision for our country that women should be in every field," said Captain Al Mheiri, referring to the UAE's leadership. "Being the first is an absolute honor and a big responsibility that I don't take lightly."

'Anything worth having is hard'

For the next generation, however, neither captain believes there is one definition of success. Their advice to young people, both girls and boys, is to pursue their dreams and be prepared to work for it. For Captain Jawad," resilience, consistency, and a determination to become better than the day before" were characteristics that helped her reach the captain's seat and would benefit any ambitious young person.

Captain Al Mheiri added: "Do what you want to do, but choose from your heart," whether that means becoming a pilot, an engineer, a technician, an office worker, or staying home to raise your children.

Looking longer term, Captain Al Mheiri said, "I hope we get to a point where having an Emirati woman on the flight deck is normal, just another day at the office."

Captain Al Mheiri's closing advice is to choose wisely.

"Whatever you do, make sure it is something you love because it's likely to be hard. After all, finishing education is hard. Getting a degree is hard. Getting a job is hard. Even staying healthy is hard.

"But don't give up, because everything worth having is hard."