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For many pilots, their interactions with passengers are limited to announcements over the PA.
However, Sarah Johnson has an expert knowledge of the people she carries, as a former air hostess.
The 39-year-old Scot spent seven years in cabin crew for Emirates as she saved the £70,000 needed to fund her pilot training.
She said: ‘I’ve always been fascinated by planes, even as a girl.’
But when she left school and studied to become a translator at a Spanish university, she didn’t dare believe that she would one day become a pilot.
Ms Johnson, from Birse, Aberdeenshire, said: ‘Attitudes to women pilots were different 20 years ago. I thought I was being silly – I was good at languages and becoming a translator was the road set out for me.
‘But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wanted to be a pilot. I saw an opportunity to become a flight attendant, which meant that at least I’d be flying.’
In 2010 she moved to Dubai to work for Emirates and said: ‘Flying to Japan and Australia was amazing but I wanted to be flying the plane. I got into so much trouble as cabin crew because no one could ever find me. I’d be in the cockpit when I had the chance.’
Sarah Johnson started her career as cabin crew for Emirates before training to become a pilot
Sarah, who often shares updates about her career on Instagram, is now a qualified pilot
Sarah spent seven years in cabin crew as she saved £70,000 to fund her pilot training
Ms Johnson embarked on a gruelling schedule, attending flying school in Los Angeles during layovers after 17-hour flights from Dubai. She said: ‘The training was intense – after long-haul flights to Australia or New Zealand, I’d be up all night studying principles of flight or air law. It was tough.’
After getting her pilot’s wings, Sarah landed a job with Ryanair as a cadet pilot, moving up to junior pilot, senior first officer and then captain two years ago.
Ms Johnson, who lives in Palma, Mallorca, with her financial consultant fiancé, said: ‘I still can’t believe I’m captain. When I had only two stripes, I used to put them together on my shoulder and look in the mirror, imagining what it would be like to have four as captain. My favourite part is the take-off.
‘Every time I press the take-off thrust, it’s such a thrill.
‘A special moment was when I had my mum Chris and dad Martin as passengers. Of course, Dad made a dad joke about being relieved we landed safely. I can’t see myself ever changing career. I’m lucky to have a job like this.’