Defying Gravity and Gender Norms
Have you ever fantasized about building a career in the clouds, yet worried the industry is exclusively a boys’ club? Enter Marina Suárez, a professional who proves that unwavering determination and a rock-solid strategy can help you command one of the most demanding jobs on Earth. Hailing from Oviedo, this 31-year-old aviator has transformed into a beacon of hope for countless young girls gazing upward to find their future calling.
While society has taken massive leaps toward gender equality recently, achieving parity inside the flight deck remains an uphill battle. Let’s face it: aviation still heavily leans toward men, with female representation remaining noticeably scarce. However, Marina stands as living proof that societal barriers exist merely to be shattered. For nine years, she has been soaring across our planet’s skies, proving on every journey that women can conquer any peak they set their sights on.
Truth be told, her professional path was never a mystery. As a little girl, an everyday trip to the local library yielded a book about planets, prompting her to boldly declare to her parents that she would become an astronaut. Once she discovered that navigating airplanes was the most direct route to reaching the stars, she dove deep into researching the industry.
Picture this: while her high school peers agonized over various college majors, she submitted exactly one application. She applied exclusively for the piloting program in Salamanca. A backup plan simply wasn’t on her radar, as the concept of not sitting behind the controls of a massive aircraft never even crossed her mind.
The Degree That Opened the Cockpit Doors
Without a second thought, she enrolled in the Commercial Aviation Pilot and Air Operations program at the University of Salamanca (USAL). Following four grueling years of intense study, she proudly secured her degree—but her ambitions certainly did not stop there. Wanting to stand out in a fiercely competitive job market, she completed a rigorous flight instructor certification and began training the next generation of aviators.
Almost by serendipity, that was the exact moment Iberia announced they were hunting for fresh talent. Despite the overwhelming volume of applicants, she decided to throw her hat in the ring.
“I showed up to the exams feeling incredibly calm because I was absolutely certain they wouldn’t pick me,” she recalls. Even with that relaxed mindset, her technical preparation was flawless. To her absolute shock, the prominent Spanish carrier recognized her exceptional skillset. At just 22 years old, her ultimate fantasy became reality as she officially joined the airline’s ranks.
She still vividly remembers taking the life-changing phone call from the head of flight operations in the middle of an Easter afternoon nap.
A Quick Strategy for Aspiring Aviators
Expert-tip: If you are plotting a path to the commercial skies, do not settle for just a basic license. Earning your Flight Instructor (FI) rating doesn’t just rapidly build your logbook hours; it significantly boosts your appeal when major passenger airlines are sifting through applicant resumes.
Taking Her First Steps With a Major Airline
Upon entering her new company, her immediate hurdle was obtaining a “type rating,” which is a highly specialized endorsement for operating a specific aircraft model. Her assigned jet was the Airbus A320, a commercial workhorse famous for short and medium-haul routes. For roughly six weeks, she completely immersed herself in theoretical manuals and logged countless hours inside advanced motion simulators.
Thankfully, the transition to real-world flying happened rapidly. Executing those initial live takeoffs and landings without any passengers in the cabin provided an intense adrenaline rush. Yet, she acutely understood that within mere days, the safety of hundreds would rest firmly in her hands.
Eventually, she chose to push her boundaries further by transitioning into long-haul operations. Today, serving as a first officer, she crosses the Atlantic Ocean roughly four times every single month. While some might view spending endless hours confined in a small flight deck as tedious, she cherishes it as the ultimate escape from terrestrial routines and daily stress.
Naturally, this unique lifestyle demands sacrifices. Missing family birthdays or spending holidays entirely away from home can sting, but her profound love for soaring above the clouds makes every missed celebration worthwhile.
Guiding the Next Generation
Now 31, Marina actively mentors younger aspiring pilots trying to navigate the industry. It is worth highlighting that while the amount of female pilots in Spain has tripled over the past ten years, women still make up a mere 6.7% of all professionals in this specific sector.
Her core advice for young women is incredibly straightforward: “Do not let fear hold you back. If you genuinely love it, go for it. Plenty of people will insist you cannot do it—they told me the exact same thing. Never allow pessimists to dictate your life’s pace.”
Looking ahead, her next major career milestone is earning her captain’s four stripes. Above all else, however, she simply wants to preserve that exact same thrill she experiences during every single flight today.
Save this guide for later if you ever need a dose of career inspiration!
