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Arpinder Kaur, 28, of San Antonio, Texas has become the first turbaned pilot hired by a commercial airline in the United States of America. In March 2008, Arpinder Kaur, 28, was hired by American Airlines Corporation (AMR) as a First Officer. Kaur flies Embraer Jets for American Eagle, a regional airline that is part of AMR and she is now based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Arpinder lived in Virginia after the move and attended George Mason University (VA) where she graduated with a degree in information systems. It was the love and support of her husband, Pritpal Singh that pushed her forward on the path toward becoming a pilot. From 2003 to 2005 Kaur was trained by Jesse Sherwood in Kansas. She just recently resolved the issue of her flying turbaned – the American Airlines manual allows “regulation approved hats” – by filling out an Accommodation Form.

When Arpinder Kaur was asked why she chose to do this, she said:

“Two of the reasons I did this were: first, my love of flying and, second, to set a precedent for the community so they know you can be in your Sikh appearance and do anything out there; so that my younger brothers and sisters [the rising generation] will pursue their passions while practicing their Sikh faith,” Kaur said.

Harinder Singh, executive director of the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) in San Antonio, Texas said, “This is a great day for the Sikhs in America. Religious accommodation, not assimilation, is what the founders of this great nation envisioned and we are thrilled American Airlines celebrates the rich religious and cultural diversity of all American populations.”

Here is a video of Arpinder Kaur, Piloting:



Certainly a proud moment for Amritdhari Sikhs, Singhs and Kaurs WorldWide.