Jamaican-Canadian Zoey Williams, aged 27, has etched her name in aviation history as the first Black female pilot at Air Canada to command a Boeing 777 aircraft.
Prior to this groundbreaking achievement, Zoey had already shattered barriers by becoming the inaugural Black female pilot to join the prestigious Air Canada team. Her journey in aviation is deeply rooted in familial inspiration, with her father, Orrett Williams, a Jamaica native and Boeing 777 Captain at Air Canada, serving as her guiding force.
Raised in the dynamic environment of a pilot’s household, Zoey’s formative years were punctuated by globetrotting adventures. Despite her exposure to the aviation world, Zoey initially harbored reservations about pursuing a career in piloting due to the demanding schedules.
Instead, she initially gravitated towards the engineering facets of aviation, as revealed in an interview with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
However, a pivotal moment occurred during a harrowing experience on a Cessna flight, which compelled Zoey to confront her fears head-on and embark on flight training. Her determination bore fruit as she obtained her wings as a certified flight instructor at the remarkable age of 19.
A barrier-breaking career
Throughout her illustrious career, Zoey Williams has navigated diverse roles within the aviation industry, including piloting the Beechcraft 1900 under challenging conditions. Her journey included stints as a First Officer for Sky Regional Airlines, culminating in her transition to Air Transat.
Despite the formidable challenges posed by the global pandemic, Zoey pursued academic excellence by enrolling in an MBA program in Aviation at Embry-Riddle. Concurrently, she diversified her ventures, from establishing a short-term rental business to piloting Boeing 737 aircraft for Flair Airlines.
Zoey’s trajectory reached a pinnacle upon her appointment at Air Canada, where she achieved the remarkable feat of operating flights alongside her father on the Boeing 777. Her accomplishments garnered widespread recognition, featuring prominently in promotional videos by Air Canada and Elevate Aviation 2023 Women of Inspire.
Beyond her remarkable achievements in aviation, Zoey is a polymath, showcasing her talents as a singer with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, she is actively engaged in authoring a motivational book titled “Go Where You Belong,” aimed at inspiring young individuals to pursue their aspirations.
“If you have a burning desire to do something, don’t bury it. Keep your focus, build your networks, share your goals and show your passion in everything you do. That’s how you can end up doing things you love day in and day out,” she said.
