We are proud of our SkyWest team and pleased to celebrate the various backgrounds and experiences of our people who help to make us the premier airline in the industry. Below are a few unique stories from some of our incredible SkyWest team members in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Ethan M.D.C – First Officer

Ethan grew up in Southern California, where he developed an early interest in flying. As a child, he loved watching Star Wars and later enjoyed watching airplanes soaring over his school. This interest led him to begin flight training while still in high school. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona.

Ethan always knew he wanted to stay on the West Coast, and SkyWest quickly stood out as a natural fit. After researching the airline, he was drawn to its strong reputation, structured training program, and the positive feedback from employees who genuinely enjoyed their work.

“It seemed like the perfect career opportunity,” Ethan said. “The training was well-organized, and SkyWest really wants you to succeed. Safety is a priority, and I was able to adapt quickly.”

Ethan’s passion and determination to succeed are deeply rooted in his upbringing. Ethan’s father, originally from Mexico, served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked tirelessly to build a better life for their family. Ethan credits his father’s example and his Mexican heritage for shaping his work ethic.

“With immigration, nothing is given. Everything is earned,” Ethan said. “That is how I learned that I have to give 100% every day, especially in aviation.”

Ethan also values the diversity he sees within the aviation industry.

“Everyone in aviation comes from different backgrounds, because we’re flying with people from all around the world,” he said. “It’s rewarding to be part of a team that brings together so many perspectives to achieve a common goal.”

One of his most memorable experiences throughout his career was flying to Manzanita, Oregon, a town he visited as a child.

“I remember walking along the coast as a kid,” Ethan said. “Flying myself there at 26 was a full-circle moment.”

Angell A. – Flight Attendant

Angell’s journey into aviation began after seeing a job posting for SkyWest.

“People always told me I had the kind of personality that would thrive in aviation,” Angell said. “I realized this was the path I was meant to take.”

Angell was raised in a multicultural household, with family roots in Mexico and Spain. He said he experienced many challenges growing up, but those challenges helped him develop a sense of compassion that continues to help him succeed in his SkyWest career.

“I always go out of my way to help, whether it’s guiding someone through their travel route, suggesting meal options, or simply easing their nerves about traveling.” Angell shares. “We’re often the first and last faces people see on their travel journeys. It’s a powerful role, and I take it seriously.”

Angell is grateful for the ability he has to speak both English and Spanish so that he can connect with passengers from all over the world and help them to feel more at ease during their travels.

Prior to joining SkyWest, Angell had limited travel experience, having only flown once after winning a contest. Today, he travels regularly both for his job and for leisure.

“I feel like I am living the dream,” Angell said. “I am working a job I truly love. My coworkers are like family, and because of my career, I can fly to places I’ve never been and see the world.”

Celeste M.  – System Controller

Celeste’s passion for aviation is rooted in her love of travel. Born into an Argentine family, she spent her childhood traveling between the United States and Argentina to visit relatives, which sparked a lifelong interest in exploring new places and cultures.

Today, Celeste says she has found both personal fulfillment and professional growth in her SkyWest career.

“Seeing how the system works as a whole, and how each department plays a role in keeping us flying, has given me a deep respect for the teamwork it takes to run an airline.”

Encouraged by her father to pursue a career at SkyWest, Celeste was drawn to SkyWest because of the many opportunities it offers.

“SkyWest is growing, and with that growth comes so many chances to advance in our aviation careers,” Celeste says. “The opportunity to travel is a blessing that not every job provides.”

For Celeste, travel isn’t just about seeing new places. It’s about connecting with her heritage and learning from others. She values the chance to experience Hispanic cultures beyond her own and believes that understanding different backgrounds is essential to building strong teams.

“It’s important to respect and care about the people you work with,” Celeste says. “That’s how you become an effective team.”

Alfredo H. M. – Flight Attendant

Alfredo moved with his parents to the U.S. from Mexico when he was young. His parents taught him that they were here to work hard, succeed, and help others. Looking back, Alfredo believes those values of respect and service helped shape the person he has become, and he continues to carry those teachings with him on the job each day.

“When I was younger, I used to fly alone to visit my grandparents in Mexico. I’d help with their travel and transportation,” Alfredo recalled. “That sense of caretaking started early, and it’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job now.”

Alfredo is trilingual, fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, a skill that allows him to connect with passengers from diverse backgrounds and offer comfort to them while traveling.

Alfredo says he enjoys his role as a flight attendant at SkyWest and is grateful to be part of the close-knit family we have here.

“SkyWest gives us room to grow. As the company thrives, it brings its people along. We feel included, empowered, and capable of making a difference on every flight,” Alfredo shares. “Every passenger interaction is an opportunity to have a positive impact.”

We’re proud to be a team made up of individuals with unique backgrounds and experiences. This Pride Month, we’re sharing the stories of some of our team members and how their personal journeys have shaped their careers and strengthened our airline

Captain Dillon – DTW, Supv Flight Operations

Captain Dillon discovered his love for aviation in fourth grade, after flying for the first time during a spring break trip with his family. He found everything about the airport environment fascinating and afterwards told his parents he was going to be a pilot one day. He spent his spare time playing flight simulator and also joined an Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter at his local airport. This gave him a chance to meet retired aviation enthusiasts who would sometimes take him out for a quick flight on their prop planes.

By 15, Captain Dillon was taking flying lessons. At 16, he completed his first solo flight, and, by 17, he had earned his private pilot license. He continued to pursue his aviation dream at Western Michigan University (WMU), where he earned additional ratings and instructed aspiring pilots.

While he was attending WMU, Captain Dillon helped start a National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) chapter with the goal of promoting acceptance within the flight deck.

“It was all about camaraderie,” Captain Dillon said. “I was part of the summit where we discovered that people who are not accepting of others can create a breakdown of crew resource management in the flight deck. The NGPA organization was designed to support diversity and connect like-minded people who want to become friends.”

Through mutual friends involved in NGPA, Captain Dillon met his partner – also a pilot – and the two have been together for over eight years. Their shared love of aviation helped bring them together and has been a cornerstone of their relationship.

“I appreciate being able to fly for SkyWest because I can be proud of the person I am and can live life as myself,” Captain Dillon said. “The culture here is incredibly accepting. I have so many friends here, and our crews feel like family. SkyWest is made up of people from so many different backgrounds and it is so important that we are all able to work together and understand each other.”

Captain Dillon has enjoyed his time at SkyWest and adapting to the daily challenges of the job. He values the opportunity to see the bigger picture while collaborating with various departments across the company to help ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Dietrich S. – PHX, Flight Attendant

Growing up, Dietrich was involved with the Civil Air Patrol and had the opportunity to help marshal, taxi, and fly in airshows. That early exposure to the thrill of flight sparked a lifelong passion for aviation and inspired him to pursue a career in the skies.

“I was drawn to SkyWest because of its reputation for having one of the most rigorous training programs for flight attendants,” Dietrich shared. “I thrive on challenges, and that training gives me confidence. When I’m working alongside another SkyWest flight attendant, I know we’re both well-prepared to handle any emergency situation. Another aspect I really enjoy is working with our partner airlines. It keeps you vigilant; every day is different. Whether it’s safety, service, or announcements, you’re constantly engaged and paying attention to every detail of the job.”

Dietrich says his unique background in aviation helps him to more effectively communicate to customers and bridge the gap between the flight deck and the cabin.

“I see myself as a translator between pilots and passengers,” Dietrich explains. “When there are delays or turbulence, I am able to let passengers know what’s happening in a way that is reassuring and helps put them at ease.”

Dietrich also says he appreciates SkyWest’s experienced leadership team.

“Most of our management have been flight attendants,” Dietrich said. “They know what it is like to be in our shoes, and we have so much support from them.”

Today, Dietrich is happily married to his husband, and the two are excitedly preparing to welcome a baby into their family.

“I’ve come a long way in my journey,” Dietrich reflects. “When I first came out, I quickly realized how important community is. Finding people who support and uplift you makes all the difference.”

That sense of connection is something Dietrich carries with him every day at work. He’s passionate about creating a welcoming environment, engaging with his fellow crewmembers, and building genuine connections and friendships with them.

“One of the things I love most about this industry is the opportunity to work with people from so many different backgrounds,” Dietrich said. “Every flight is a chance to learn something new, to connect, and to build a sense of belonging and camaraderie.”

Happy Mother’s Day to all of our SkyWest moms and the mothers who have inspired our aviation dreams to take flight! This was especially true for E175 First Officer Andrew.

Andrew grew up around the aviation industry. His mom, Wendy, began her aviation career in 2006 at Rockford Airport. She worked in ground operations and often brought Andrew with her to work.

“My mom started working at the airport when I was six,” Andrew recalled. “We didn’t have a babysitter, so I would go with her and spend time in the waiting area where I could watch the airplanes take off and land for hours every day.”

Wendy’s career eventually evolved when she made the leap to become a flight attendant for SkyWest.

“We have amazing colleagues at SkyWest and everyone is super kind to one another,” Wendy said. “I really love the people and feel like we have a beautiful SkyWest family.”

Wendy’s love for aviation was passed along to Andrew and his own passion grew thanks to his early experiences with his mom at the airport. By his senior year of high school, he took his first discovery flight and knew he wanted to become a pilot. He pursued flight training at Parkland Community College and the University of Illinois, eventually joining SkyWest’s Pilot Pathway Program in 2020.

“SkyWest was my first choice because it is the best regional in the industry and has a range of flight routes,” Andrew said. “I wanted the opportunity to travel and fly all over the country.”

Wendy and Andrew’s shared journey in aviation has strengthened their bond. They are grateful for the opportunity they have had to both be at SkyWest where they’ve even been able to work a trip together.

“From watching the planes out the window at six years old to being the one flying them at 25 years old, Andrew has come a long way and I am so proud of his hard work and dedication,” Wendy said. “It took many sacrifices, but I would do it all over again.”

“I know I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the support of my family,” Andrew said. “I am so thankful for mom, and all she has done to help me get to where I am at SkyWest today.”

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we wanted to highlight the unique stories of some of our incredible SkyWest team members.

Beau P. – TUS First Officer CRJ

Beau P. was born and raised on the island of Oahu in Hawaii and is grateful for the way his family and multicultural heritage (Japanese, Chinese, and Hawaiian) have helped shape who he is today.

Growing up, Beau was surrounded by the aviation industry because his parents were flight attendants. After their encouragement to take a discovery flight, he knew he also wanted to pursue a career in the skies.

Beau has always felt deeply connected to his island roots through participating in traditional practices like Lo’i Kalo and helping to cultivate the land and preserve the native plants and animals.

“When you grow up on a small island, you think you know it like the back of your hand. But once I saw it from the air, it completely changed my perspective,” Beau said. “I saw the island in a way I had never seen it before. That was when I got bit by the aviation bug, and I knew I needed to do this as a career.”

After completing his flight training at the University of North Dakota in Phoenix, Beau said he was drawn to SkyWest because he wanted to be part of the best in the industry.

“SkyWest was at the top of my list because its training program and reputation for safety are second to none,” Beau said. “When you are part of it firsthand, you realize that it is so successful because it attracts the best and is the place where everybody wants to be.”

Beau has enjoyed his SkyWest career and deeply appreciates the company’s family-oriented values because they align with his background.

“Family is a huge component of the Hawaiian culture, and it is something I looked for when starting my airline journey,” Beau said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of an airline that has instilled such a strong family atmosphere where I always feel supported.”

Kolby M. – SEA First Officer ERJ

From a young age, Kolby knew she wanted to become a pilot. Her family, a mix of Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino ancestry, has lived in Hawaii for many generations. Growing up, Kolby’s home rested on top of a hill in Honolulu, Hawaii, giving her a perfect view of the international airport. Watching the planes take off and land helped her visualize her future and sparked her childhood dream of pursuing a career in aviation.

In high school, Kolby interned with Island Air and she decided she wanted to fly hopper and cargo flights between the islands. After going through flight school at Central Washington University she began applying to the airlines.

After weighing her options, Kolby concluded SkyWest was by far the best choice for her because of our superior training program, crews, and extensive route coverage.

“SkyWest training is the best place for you to be if you want to continue to grow and excel in your professional career,” Kolby said.

Throughout her aviation journey, Kolby says she has tried to incorporate the aloha spirit into each of her flights and loves giving visitors to the island tips on the best places to eat and activities to do.

“Growing up in Hawaii, they taught us to show the aloha spirit to everyone you meet, which means we care about one another and treat everybody like family,” Kolby said. “I try to be a warm and welcoming presence on board for all my crews and passengers.”

Kolby says she has had a wonderful experience at SkyWest and especially enjoys the quality of life that SkyWest provides and the caliber of the incredible crews she gets to work with each day.