1. Married to a commercial airline pilot for 5 years, started as first officer and now training to be a captain.
2. Enjoying lifestyle despite long periods apart, benefits include free or discounted flights for spouse and dependents.
3. Future plans for kids will add complexity, inspired by friends who successfully balance family and pilot career.
In November 2023, my husband and I got married after being together for over five years. He started as a first officer at a regional airline in 2021 and is now training to become a captain. Knowing his dream was always to fly for a passenger airline, I was prepared for the challenges of being married to a pilot, such as unpredictable schedules and spending many nights alone.
Despite the time apart, I enjoy our lifestyle as a dual-income household with two dogs. My previous experience in the airline industry as an aviation reporter has helped me understand and navigate the demands of being married to an airline pilot. We make the most of our time together when he is home, coordinating our schedules for quality time and travel.
As my husband advances in his career, our schedules remain complex, with him being away for around 15 nights a month. Despite the challenges, we try to align our schedules for special events and trips. We take advantage of our travel benefits to explore various destinations, both domestically and internationally.
Although we do not have children yet, we plan to in the future, which will introduce new complexities to our lifestyle. Learning from friends who are in a similar situation with children, we are preparing for the unique challenges that come with balancing family life and a pilot’s demanding schedule. Overall, the benefits of being married to an airline pilot, such as travel perks and financial stability, outweigh the challenges of being apart.