Home » Airline News In America » Fort Lauderdale, Florida Latest Travel News: JetBlue’s Empowering “Fly Like a Girl” Event Encourages Young Women to Pursue Aviation Careers in 2026
Published on
March 9, 2026
JetBlue Airways is taking a bold step forward in its mission to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals with its “Fly Like a Girl” event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Hosted in March 2026 as part of Women’s History Month, this empowering event is aimed at encouraging young girls to consider careers in aviation — a field still heavily underrepresented by women. The Fly Like a Girl event marks an important initiative by JetBlue to foster diversity and inclusion in the aviation industry while providing the tools and mentorship to help girls aged 10-14 explore the exciting world of flight.
Held at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and organized by JetBlue’s Women in Flight Crewmember Resource Group, this program not only celebrates women’s contributions to aviation but also introduces young attendees to the potential careers they can pursue in aviation and other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
Empowering the Next Generation of Female Aviators
The “Fly Like a Girl” event aims to bridge the gap between young girls and career opportunities in aviation, highlighting the diverse roles that women play in the industry. Through engaging hands-on activities, guest speakers, and personal stories from JetBlue’s female pilots, engineers, and crew members, attendees are given the opportunity to widen their aspirations and see themselves in future aviation roles.
Ursula Hurley, JetBlue’s CFO and president of the JetBlue Foundation, remarked that empowering young women to explore careers in aviation is crucial to increasing diversity within the industry. During the event, Hurley emphasized that the airline’s commitment to promoting aviation as a viable career path for girls is integral to creating a more inclusive future for aviation and STEM professions. Hurley’s message was echoed by JetBlue CEO, who reinforced the airline’s dedication to being a driving force for positive change and opportunities for women in a historically male-dominated field.
Inspiring Future Women Leaders in Aviation
The event featured several female role models who shared their experiences and advice with the young attendees. Captain Kelly Costa, a female JetBlue pilot, spoke to the girls about the challenges and rewards of her career and how she overcame barriers to achieve her dream of flying commercial aircraft. She told the young audience indirectly that the aviation industry offers exciting opportunities for young women who are passionate about travel, technology, and leadership.
Additionally, the event provided attendees the chance to engage with real-world aviation tools and equipment. Interactive experiences such as simulators and aircraft tours allowed the girls to get a feel for what it’s like to work in the aviation industry. According to JetBlue spokespersons, this hands-on approach has proven effective in sparking long-term interest in aviation careers and providing young women with tangible skills.
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Community Outreach and Local Impact
JetBlue’s commitment to South Florida’s community was also evident at the event. The airline’s partnership with the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) was highlighted, as MODS offered its STEMobile, a mobile science lab that brings interactive STEM experiences to students across the region. This program has been instrumental in providing engaging educational opportunities and is a key part of JetBlue’s broader community engagement initiatives aimed at encouraging more diverse participation in STEM fields.
This collaboration between JetBlue and MODS reinforces the airline’s long-standing dedication to inspiring youth from underrepresented communities. JetBlue’s foundation has worked tirelessly to expand access to STEM education, offering scholarships and mentorship programs for high school and college students interested in pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace.
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Local Government Support and Official Recognition
The event also received support from local government officials. U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, representing Florida’s 23rd District, attended the event to offer her support for initiatives aimed at empowering young women and ensuring they have the opportunities they need to succeed in STEM careers. In her address, she indirectly stated that investing in girls’ education and giving them real-world exposure to different career possibilities is essential for building a stronger future workforce in the U.S.
A Stronger Path Forward for Aviation Industry Diversity
JetBlue’s Fly Like a Girl initiative marks another step toward making aviation an inclusive industry for future generations. With high-profile industry figures sharing their experiences and offering mentorship, and organizations like MODS and JetBlue Foundation providing practical tools and learning experiences, the event created an empowering space for young girls to envision themselves as pilots, engineers, and leaders in aviation.
Looking ahead, JetBlue plans to continue expanding its outreach programs, supporting young women in aviation, and promoting careers in aviation to a diverse range of students. With the airline industry continuing to evolve, these efforts will be essential to ensuring that all voices are represented in the skies.
Summary
The Fly Like a Girl event in Fort Lauderdale in March 2026 celebrated Women’s History Month by inspiring young girls to explore careers in aviation. Through hands-on experiences, inspirational guest speakers, and partnerships with local educational institutions, JetBlue demonstrated its commitment to empowering young women and fostering a more diverse workforce in aviation. As the industry moves forward, initiatives like these play a pivotal role in shaping the future of aviation and ensuring that the next generation of aviation leaders includes more women.
Image Source: CBS12 News
