Southwest Celebrates First 'Unmanned' Max 8 Flight While Shutting Down Haters

Carla Herreria
Updated

Southwest Airlines on Wednesday celebrated its first “unmanned” flight on the company’s new fleet of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft.

The “unmanned” flight was actually staffed with an all-female crew, including two pilots.

The flight staff took a photo of themselves after realizing that the day’s shift was made up of all women, a Southwest spokeswoman told HuffPost in an email. The 737 was headed to San Francisco from St. Louis.

Southwest was unable to immediately identify the women in the photo but confirmed that they were all staff members.

The sight, especially the one in the cockpit, is a rarity for the aviation industry. Only 6.7 percent of pilots are female, according to the nonprofit Women in Aviation Inc. But Southwest is no stranger to “unmanned” flights and female “firsts.”

The company’s former president, Colleen C. Barrett, was the first female president of a major airline, according to Southwest. The airline has also staffed other flights ― unintentionally ― with female-only crews in the past on other types of aircraft. This year, through Women in Aviation, Southwest donated $33,500 to fund scholarships for five female students to pursue careers in aviation.

While Southwest’s photo was tweeted Wednesday to celebrate its female employees, some of its followers tried to disparage the tweet. The airline, however, snapped back with a perfect amount of sass.

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1999

Flight Lieutenant Joanne Mein, flanked by colleagues of the Royal Australian Air Force's elite aerobatics display team, the Roulettes, rolls her plane during a formation flight over Gippsland, Australia on July 27, 1999. 
Flight Lieutenant Joanne Mein, flanked by colleagues of the Royal Australian Air Force's elite aerobatics display team, the Roulettes, rolls her plane during a formation flight over Gippsland, Australia on July 27, 1999. 

2017

Dawn Cook and Stephanie Johnson pose for their history-making flight. 
Dawn Cook and Stephanie Johnson pose for their history-making flight. 

2016

First Lt. Kayla Bowers, a 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot, looks out of the cockpit of her aircraft during the squadron’s deployment in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve at Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria, March 18, 2016. Operation Atlantic Resolve is a demonstration of the United States’ continued commitment to the collective security of NATO and dedication to the enduring peace and stability of Europe.

2014

1st Lt. Meaghan Cosand, C-5B Galaxy pilot with the 312th Airlift Squadron, starts engines in preparation for takeoff from Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 15, 2014. She was flying a mobility channel mission, moving high-priority cargo and passengers among air bases in the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility. 
1st Lt. Meaghan Cosand, C-5B Galaxy pilot with the 312th Airlift Squadron, starts engines in preparation for takeoff from Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 15, 2014. She was flying a mobility channel mission, moving high-priority cargo and passengers among air bases in the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility. 

2010

Betty Wall Strohfus, right, a former pilot with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), sings the national anthem during the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., March 10, 2010. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress. The WASP program, established during World War II, trained women to fly noncombat military missions. 

2007

Phetogo Molawa, a 21-year-old air force lieutenant stands next to the big Oryx Air Force transport helicopter at the third Women's Conference in Defence in Canturion, South Africa. Molawa is South Africa's first black female pilot August 16, 2007.
Phetogo Molawa, a 21-year-old air force lieutenant stands next to the big Oryx Air Force transport helicopter at the third Women's Conference in Defence in Canturion, South Africa. Molawa is South Africa's first black female pilot August 16, 2007.

2006

Emilie Denis, the first woman fighter pilot of the French Navy in Toulon, France on January 18, 2006 in front of her future Rafale. 
Emilie Denis, the first woman fighter pilot of the French Navy in Toulon, France on January 18, 2006 in front of her future Rafale. 

2000

Brigitte Joubert, one of the only women qualified to pilot rescue helicopters over land and sea in Biarritz, France in August, 2000. 
Brigitte Joubert, one of the only women qualified to pilot rescue helicopters over land and sea in Biarritz, France in August, 2000. 

2000

Aysh Gammo, the first Libyan woman airplane pilot gets ready for a flight in March of 2000 in Tripoli, Libya. 
Aysh Gammo, the first Libyan woman airplane pilot gets ready for a flight in March of 2000 in Tripoli, Libya. 

1999

Lieutenant Caroline Aigle, 1st Woman Fighter Pilot In Tours, France On May 25, 1999. 
Lieutenant Caroline Aigle, 1st Woman Fighter Pilot In Tours, France On May 25, 1999. 

1999

Adine Ossebi, 30, sits in the cockpit of an Air Afrique plane at the Abidjan airport Feb. 15, 1999.
Adine Ossebi, 30, sits in the cockpit of an Air Afrique plane at the Abidjan airport Feb. 15, 1999.

1995

The Royal Air Force's first woman strike-attack combat pilot Jo Salter waves from the cockpit of a Tornado GR1B after landing at Lossiemouth, Scotland Feb. 1, 1995.
The Royal Air Force's first woman strike-attack combat pilot Jo Salter waves from the cockpit of a Tornado GR1B after landing at Lossiemouth, Scotland Feb. 1, 1995.

1993

Barbara Harmer seen through the Concorde window April 16, 1993.
Barbara Harmer seen through the Concorde window April 16, 1993.

1977

Lt. (J.G.) Mary Louise Jorgensen was the first woman tactical jet pilot to be assigned to Miramar Naval Air Station at San Diego on Feb. 7, 1977.
Lt. (J.G.) Mary Louise Jorgensen was the first woman tactical jet pilot to be assigned to Miramar Naval Air Station at San Diego on Feb. 7, 1977.

1976

Ann Bostock, 26, the first woman to pilot scheduled services for a British airline, sits in the cockpit of a BAC 111 jet on July 7, 1976.
Ann Bostock, 26, the first woman to pilot scheduled services for a British airline, sits in the cockpit of a BAC 111 jet on July 7, 1976.

1974

Sally D. Murphy, 25, shown here at the controls of the UH-1 'huey' helicopter, is recognized in the U.S. Army as its first woman aviator and also its first military helicopter pilot on August 9, 1974.
Sally D. Murphy, 25, shown here at the controls of the UH-1 'huey' helicopter, is recognized in the U.S. Army as its first woman aviator and also its first military helicopter pilot on August 9, 1974.

1973

In a Pentagon ceremony, Lieutenant Judith Ann Neuffer of Wooster, Ohio was presented with flight training orders by Navy Secretary John Warner, making her the first military aviatrix in American history on Jan. 10, 1973.
In a Pentagon ceremony, Lieutenant Judith Ann Neuffer of Wooster, Ohio was presented with flight training orders by Navy Secretary John Warner, making her the first military aviatrix in American history on Jan. 10, 1973.

1963

Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to have flown in space on June 1, 1963.
Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to have flown in space on June 1, 1963.

1962

Undated picture taken in the 60' s of American female aviator Jacqueline Cochran. Jacqueline Cochran learned to fly at age 22, and it became a lifetime passion circa 1962.
Undated picture taken in the 60' s of American female aviator Jacqueline Cochran. Jacqueline Cochran learned to fly at age 22, and it became a lifetime passion circa 1962.

1944

First Officer Maureen Dunlop  of the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary), in the cockpit of a Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber, September 1944. 
First Officer Maureen Dunlop  of the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary), in the cockpit of a Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber, September 1944. 

1942

Alice Rhonie, one of the first WAFs to arrive at their East Coast Air Base on Sep. 23, 1942.
Alice Rhonie, one of the first WAFs to arrive at their East Coast Air Base on Sep. 23, 1942.

1942

The new WAFS, dressed in flying suits and helmets, line up in front of the their flight training on Sep. 23, 1942.
The new WAFS, dressed in flying suits and helmets, line up in front of the their flight training on Sep. 23, 1942.

1941

Valentina Grizodubova was among the first of thousands of Moscow women who volunteered as soon as Moscow was threatened on Oct. 26, 1941.
Valentina Grizodubova was among the first of thousands of Moscow women who volunteered as soon as Moscow was threatened on Oct. 26, 1941.

1940

Pauline Gower, one of the pool of women pilots who ferrried new aircraft from the factory to the aerodrome on Jan. 10, 1940.
Pauline Gower, one of the pool of women pilots who ferrried new aircraft from the factory to the aerodrome on Jan. 10, 1940.

1939

World War II, Russian front, airwomen circa 1939.
World War II, Russian front, airwomen circa 1939.

1938

Elisabeth Lion, French aviator, in May 1938. 
Elisabeth Lion, French aviator, in May 1938. 

1936

Pilot Beryl Markham, posing for photographer at Abingdon Aerodrome, Berkshire, prior to take off for her solo flight across the Atlantic on Sep. 11, 1936.
Pilot Beryl Markham, posing for photographer at Abingdon Aerodrome, Berkshire, prior to take off for her solo flight across the Atlantic on Sep. 11, 1936.

1935

Miss Helen Rickey, first woman to be employed as pilot of an airline on Nov. 7, 1935.
Miss Helen Rickey, first woman to be employed as pilot of an airline on Nov. 7, 1935.

Circa 1935

American actress and amateur pilot Madge Evans with an aircraft, circa 1935.
American actress and amateur pilot Madge Evans with an aircraft, circa 1935.

Circa 1935

Maryse Hilsz, French aviator circa 1935. 
Maryse Hilsz, French aviator circa 1935. 

1934

Jean Gardner Batten, New Zealand aviator in Kolkata, India In 1934. 
Jean Gardner Batten, New Zealand aviator in Kolkata, India In 1934. 

1933

Miss Le Manoir, french aviator in France, 1933. 
Miss Le Manoir, french aviator in France, 1933. 

1932

Senora Hermelinda Urvina Briones, 26, of Ambato Ecuador, who claimed to be the first woman of South America to become a pilot, as she appeared at Curtis Airport, Long Island, ready for a practice flight on Dec. 3, 1932.
Senora Hermelinda Urvina Briones, 26, of Ambato Ecuador, who claimed to be the first woman of South America to become a pilot, as she appeared at Curtis Airport, Long Island, ready for a practice flight on Dec. 3, 1932.

1930

Florence Lowe 'Pancho' Barnes is tests a new monoplane in which she hopes to establish a new speed record for women on July 2, 1930.
Florence Lowe 'Pancho' Barnes is tests a new monoplane in which she hopes to establish a new speed record for women on July 2, 1930.

1930

Romanian aviatrix Irina Burnaia, onboard of an airplane, is caressing her little good luck dog before starting her flight circa 1930.
Romanian aviatrix Irina Burnaia, onboard of an airplane, is caressing her little good luck dog before starting her flight circa 1930.

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