Gender equality and women empowerment within the global aviation industry have evolved steadily over the years. Women have taken on roles beyond cabin crews and check-in personnel, becoming pilots, aircraft engineers, airline heads, airport managers, and many more – highlighting how women continue contributing to the aviation industry with numerous diverse roles.

And airlines are becoming prouder to showcase their female talent, as in celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day, flag carrier Malaysia Airlines conducted a rare all-women-operated flight that was remarkably overseen by an all-women operational workforce from the Malaysia Aviation Group.

You definitely read that right, as from the point of check-in to aerobridge handling, aircraft taxing and refueling, and onboard the flight through to the cabin crew and flight crew were all women. And this special flight was Malaysia Airlines flight MH 2520, a daily scheduled flight service from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Kuching International Airport.

The narrowbody used was one of the flag carrier’s Boeing 737-800s registered 9M-MLL. Captain NoorsazrinaZulkifli and Second Officer Wong Wei Ming were proudly sitting at the flight deck of the narrowbody, and the flight took off from Kuala Lumpur at approximately 11:36. Less than two hours later, the two women landed the aircraft safely in Kuching at around 13:05.

While MH 2520 was certainly an unforgettable flight for the all-female ground and airline crew, it was equally remarkable for all passengers onboard as they were given the Malaysia Airlines’ signature Pilot Polly plushie to commemorate the special occasion. Commenting on this flight was Group Chief Sustainability Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group, Philip See, as he said:

“What makes the all-women flight extra special is that it necessitates a holistic approach that encompasses advancing women’s participation in technical positions and diminishing income inequality. And we remain committed to championing and empowering women to play an active role in achieving their career and business goals by cultivating a culture that celebrates inclusivity, diversity, and equality in gender, race, religion, and age.”

If you thought flight MH 2520 was unique as it was the first-ever all-female operated service for Malaysia Airlines, think again – as the flight service was also the first where carbon emissions were offset in early anticipation of the upcoming launch of the Malaysia Aviation Group’s passenger carbon offset program.

Although it wasn’t the passengers onboard who had purchased the carbon credits, the oneworld alliance member bought the credits from verified environmental projects, such as The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve Project. With the airline’s own purchased carbon credits, approximately 26.5 tons of carbon emissions from the flight were offset.

So besides a celebration of women’s empowerment for International Women’s Day, flight MH 2520 was also part of Malaysia Airlines’ wider sustainability initiative of taking quantifiable steps to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. See continued by highlighting:

“As part of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, we offset carbon emissions from the all-women flight by investing in verified carbon offset projects to minimize environmental impacts for a Sustainable Tomorrow. Soon, passengers too will be able to offset carbon emissions from their journey when purchasing tickets through our website.”

It’s always a welcome sight to see airlines embracing women’s empowerment and more women taking on roles previously thought impossible or only to be dominated and reserved for men. Hopefully, more airlines will continue conducting special flights highlighting women in aviation.