Zoey Williams

Zoey Williams is a Canadian commercial aviation pilot from Southern Ontario, Canada. She is noted for being the first Black female pilot to fly a Boeing 777 for Air Canada.

Zoey Williams
Born	Southern Ontario, Canada
Education	Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (BS, MBA)
Occupation	Commercial pilot

Early life and education

Williams was born in Southern Ontario.^[1] Her father worked as a pilot for Air Canada, and would frequently take his family along on flights in lieu of childcare.^[2] Her father encouraged her to try flying, and took her on a introductory flight on a Cessna,^[3] but she ran into turbulence, leaving her scared and "vowing never to fly again".^[4] However, she later determined she wanted to overcome her fear, and earned her pilot's license at the age of 16.^[1]

Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics & Aviation Management from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University followed by a Master of Business Administration in Aviation & International Business.^[5]

Career

Williams earned her certification as a flight instructor at the age of 19.^[6] She started working for Wasaya Airways, flying a Beechcraft 1900 in the Northern Ontario region.^[7] Williams served as a first officer on a Embraer 175 aircraft for Sky Regional Airlines^[8] and has also flown a Boeing 737 for Flair Airlines.^[6]

After joining Air Canada as a first officer for the Boeing 777, she made her first flight as pilot in October 2023,^[9] marking the first time a Black female pilot flew the 777 for the airline.^[8] Black Enterprise notes that Black pilots only compose 3.4% of the industry in the United States, with Air Canada only employing 30 Black pilots as of 2024.^[10]

Williams is the Pilot-in-Residence for the University of Waterloo, the first to hold the position for the university.^[5]

Personal life

Williams is a singer and a member of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada.^[11] She also sings with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, a professional orchestra located in Ontario.^[1]

Awards and honors

• In 2016, Williams received the Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity from Jazz Aviation^[12]
• In 2023, Williams was included on Wings magazine's "Top 20 under 40" list^[10]
• In 2024, Williams was honored Northern Lights Rising Star award which honors Canadian women in aerospace^[13]
• In 2024, Williams was named one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada^[5]