Pilot explains what it's like to work at 40,000 ft on her first workday: 'Girl power'

Flying is wonderful when you're a passenger on vacation, but have you ever thought about what it's like for the pilot up front? Emily, an Emirates pilot, gives us a peek into her world, showing what her daily routine looks like and sharing some behind-the-scenes moments. As a passenger, you might not realize just how much happens behind the cockpit door. In a video shared by Tahani Aldaihani (@thetravlish) on Instagram, we get a glimpse of Emily in action as she pilots a flight from Dubai to Sydney. 

Emily, who moved to Dubai in 2019, has quickly advanced to become an A380 Captain. Hailing from Sydney, she’s not only a dedicated mom of three but also the first Australian woman to hold this prestigious position. Her day starts with donning her uniform and preparing for the flight at home. After a heartfelt goodbye to her daughters with hugs and kisses, she heads to the Emirates Group headquarters, her office.

Her driver picks her up and takes her to the office to meet with the crew, where they review the next flight plan. Emily explains, "We cover things like weather conditions, airspace rules and regulations, and any other relevant information that will ensure an efficient flight." The team then makes their way to Dubai International Airport and boards the plane. Emily adds, "Once we arrive at the aircraft, we conduct our pre-flight checks before passengers board." The journey from Dubai to Sydney lasts 13 hours and 40 minutes.

Once the crew confirms that all checks are complete, they are ready for take-off. Emily enjoys what she calls "the best office view in the world" from 40,000 feet up. After six hours, she takes a break, handing over her seat to Captain Lewis. During her downtime, she relaxes in the crew rest area, which has bunk beds and TVs showing the same in-flight entertainment as the passengers. Emily finds it "quiet and comfortable." After her rest, Emily returns to the cockpit to handle the landing. Though she admits she might be a bit biased, she believes "Sydney is one of the most beautiful cities to land in."

"This is soo nice to see. Sometimes as a passenger, you don’t even realize the prep that goes into flying for pilots and crew cabins. Too busy hoping our kilos of clothes are not over the limit. We are grateful to you all. God bless you," said @yaayaababyx. "As an ex Emirates crew of 12 years, there was only a handful of female Captains with the company and I got the pleasure of flying with a few. Always nice to see them recognized," added @walshy_pie. "It's nice to see the daily lives of others that normally you never see," commented @peachebreezy. "Love love love women pilots! Last week I traveled with a female pilot and it was the smoothest landing!" wrote @anauribec. "I think it makes most people feel more comfortable about the “back story” of their flight. Communication AND education is key. I do the long haul from Toronto to Capetown twice a year - I feel better and thank you for this!" shared @tam_46.

You can follow Tahani Aldaihani (@thetravlish) on Instagram for more lifestyle content.