Captain Richard Hill, Etihad Airways? Chief Operations Officer, said: ?We congratulate Sophie on becoming Etihad?s first female Captain. It?s a great achievement and well deserved as she has shown tremendous dedication to achieve the rank of Captain.?

Captain Blanchard said: ?It is a great privilege to become Etihad?s first female Captain and be the first woman to take full command of a commercial flight. The company has been very supportive in my aim to become a Captain and I look forward to my first flight to London.? 

Captain Blanchard started her aviation training after graduating from high school. She gained her commercial license at 18 years old in the US and began flying cargo aircraft for a Belgium-based company. Her work took her to Africa and around Europe before she joined Icelandic company Air Atlanta. At Air Atlanta Captain Blanchard began flying leased flights for Etihad Crystal Cargo. She has accrued more than 6,500 hours of flying time. 

Etihad Airways is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad is the Arabic abbreviation for United Arab Emirates. Established in 2003, Etihad commenced operation on November later that year. The airline operates close to 147 daily flights to 64 destinations in 42 countries, via a fleet of 54 aircraft. Its operation is heavily centered in Europe and Asia, as well as Oceania, Africa and North America. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport, with its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi.