To celebrate International Women's Day, we thought we'd take to the skies, where many women now fly planes through the glass ceiling (metaphorically speaking of course).
For those who are unaware, the term "glass ceiling" refers to an invisible but real barrier through which the next stage or level of advancement can be seen, but cannot be reached by a section of qualified and deserving employees -namely women.
But not this bunch. These 7 women are an inspiration to all of us, on both the ground and up in the air.
1. Nevin Darwish
Captain Nevin Darwish is the first Arab female to fly the Airbus 380, the world's largest passenger plane.
To mark International Women's Day, the Dubai airline, Emirates, is giving its female employees center stage. Emirates currently employs more than 29,000 women from over 150 nationalities, making up 44 percent of the airline's workforce.
Emirates' female cockpit crew come from 24 nationalities and are aged between 20 and 59 years. Captain Darwish -who is Egyptian- is only one of many others.
Emirates airline put out a video of Darwish flying an A380 from Dubai to Vienna and back, in honor of the day.
2. Alia Al Muhairi
Joining Captain Darwish on her flight was first officer Alia Al Muhairi (left), currently the youngest Emirati women to operate the Emirates A380.
Muhair calls Darwish a wonderful role model and an inspiration to all young pilots in the world.
While Muhair and Darwish are very impressive in their piloting skills, at Emirates Engineering women work as licensed aircraft engineers, mechanics, and technicians for aircraft maintenance and repairs as well.
3. Aisha Al Mansouri
In 2016, Aisha al Mansouri made headlines as the first Emirati woman to fly an A380, and is known to have a brother and sister also in the "flying field" (her brother flies helicopters and her sister flies fighter planes -but more on that later).
In 2007, Aisha was one of two female Emiratis in a classroom of more than 500 men forging a career in a traditionally male-dominated field, which she calls intimidating, but which in no way broke her spirit.
Currently she is senior first officer, i.e., second-in-command to the pilot.
4. Hanadi al Hindi
Hanadi Al Hindi was the first Saudi woman to gain a commercial pilot’s license back in 2005.
She used to fly Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal around the world on his private jet, but, as of 2014, she was finally able to fly in her home country.
According to Arabian Business, Al Hindi was granted a license to fly in Saudi Arabia by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).
Perhaps, since a woman can fly a jet, soon she'll be allowed to drive?
5. Sheikha Mozah
Sheikha Mozah bint Saeed bin Rashid became the first royal from the Al Maktoum family to fly a commercial plane one month ago. She is Dubai-ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's niece.
Sheikah Mozah passed the commercial test in April of last year, but assisted an Emirates plane this year.
6. Mariam Al Mansouri
Major Mariam Al Mansouri, Aisha's sister, was the first female fighter pilot in the UAE.
She was the first to join the air-force in 2007, when the United Arab Emirates Air Force academy allowed women to join.
She led an airstrike in 2014 against ISIL in Syria, and flies an F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Aisha credits her sister and brother in helping her realize her dreams to fly a commercial plane.
7. Lotfia El Nadi
To save the best for last, you cannot have a list of women pilots without including the first licensed Arab and African woman to fly a plane, and that is Egypt's very own Lotfia El Nadi.
At age 26 (back in 1933) she flew a plane from Cairo to Alexandria, becoming the youngest woman to fly.