All-female flight deck crew ‘a first’ for Philippine Airlines

The Philippine Airlines had its first all-female flight deck crew on a widebody aircraft.

In a Facebook post by PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna on Thursday, she said flight PR8655 from Riyadh to Manila on Oct. 14 had an all-female flight deck crew aboard the flag carrier’s Airbus A330.

She said the flight was led by Capt. Yvonne Sunga, a former flight attendant, and assisted by First Officer May Marie A. Segovia, a former military pilot, and Second Officer Marie Rose Ison Maximo.

“Our lady pilots were thrilled!” said Villaluna, who also quoted Maximo as saying: “This flight brightened up my day and made me forget about my worries. A flight of female pilots, former flight attendants and a former military female pilot. Wow, thank you ladies for sharing this beautiful sky with me.”

“A flight full of hope and positivity, sisterhood, wisdom and faith. A milestone moment to be proud of!” added Villaluna.

The spokesperson noted that the women temporarily removed their masks for picture-taking purposes. – RC, GMA News