Photo courtesy of JetBlue. 
As the leading carrier in Fort Lauderdale, JetBlue brings hands-on aviation access to local youth and strengthens the region’s future talent pipeline
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., March 09, 2026–(BUSINESS WIRE)–On Saturday, March 7, JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) celebrated Women’s History Month by inspiring the next generation of aviators through its annual Fly Like a Girl event, held this year in Fort Lauderdale. Now in its 12th year, Fly Like a Girl is designed to spark early interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and aviation by providing the chance to learn from JetBlue’s female crewmembers, including pilots, technicians, engineers and leaders through interactive activities, conversations, aircraft demonstrations and behind-the-scenes experiences that showcase the wide range of career opportunities available in the industry.
In partnership with Jetscape Services and JetBlue’s Women in Flight Crewmember Resource Group, Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact team and the JetBlue Foundation, the event welcomed more than 100 local youth ages 10-14 for a hands-on introduction to the world of aviation, further reinforcing the airline’s commitment to inspiring the next generation and engaging with the South Florida community. The event was joined by local government officials, including Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz who represents Florida’s 25th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Returning to Fort Lauderdale underscores JetBlue’s long-standing connection to the community—one that dates back to the airline’s earliest days of operation.
“Fort Lauderdale has been part of JetBlue’s story since day one with our first flights touching down right here over 26 years ago, and we’re proud to continue investing in the region and its people,” said Ursula Hurley, president of the JetBlue Foundation and JetBlue’s chief financial officer. “Bringing Fly Like a Girl back to South Florida reflects our continued commitment to the future of Fort Lauderdale as a critical part of our operation, from its people and culture to the aviation infrastructure that helps power our airline forward.”
“This amazing JetBlue event showcases the much wider world of opportunities for young girls to pursue in aviation, and I look forward to it every year,” said U.S. Rep. Wasserman Schultz (FL-25). “Commercial air travel has a history of being male dominated, but programs like this open up new aviation horizons for Florida’s young women to explore.”
This year’s event featured local participation from JetBlue Foundation grantee the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), through the presence of MODS STEMobile, a mobile science lab that brings high-energy, hands-on STEM learning straight to students. Led by expert educators, MODS STEMobile Outreach programs ignite curiosity, build critical thinking skills and challenge learners to take on real-world problems using the engineering design process in fun, new ways.
“Connecting people to inspiring science is our mission, and Fly Like a Girl does exactly that by turning aviation into a hands-on, confidence-building STEM experience. Through STEMobile programs and our Aviation Academy, MODS helps students see themselves as future pilots, engineers and innovators,” said Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of MODS.
“Experiences like Fly Like a Girl are powerful because they make STEM tangible and exciting, showing children in real time future career possibilities,” said Icema Gibbs, JetBlue’s vice president of corporate social responsibility and impact. “Through the JetBlue Foundation, we are committed to working with our partners and grantees, like MODS, to expand access to high-quality STEM education and help students see a future for themselves in aviation.”
JetBlue has been a long-standing supporter of South Florida’s aviation ecosystem, employing thousands of crewmembers across the region and maintaining a strong operational presence as the leading carrier at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. JetBlue has continued to build on its significant growth in Florida, with Fort Lauderdale at the center of its Florida expansion, marking it as a key gateway for the airline’s operation.
For more information about JetBlue’s community initiatives, visit jetblue.com/jetblue-for-good.
About JetBlue
JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline® and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and Europe. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.
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