- Speaker: Senior Captain Arveen Kaur
- Current Airline: IndiGo (2 years)
- Previous: Go Airlines / GoAir (16 years)
- Aircraft: Airbus A320, Airbus A321
- Experience: 18 years of commercial flying
- Event: Aviation Fest 2026 – 24 Feb 2026, Oscar Seminar Hall, Parul University
Starting at 17, Flying by 19: Captain Kaur's Aviation Journey
Senior Captain Arveen Kaur took admission in the flying school at seventeen, was working at an airline by nineteen, and became one of the youngest women in India as a commercial pilot at the time. She worked for 16 years at GoAirlines before the airline closed. This was a setback that forced her to prepare and appear again for the tests and interviews. She landed at the Indigo and worked there for two years.
Her career spans nearly two decades, including flying Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Now a content creator too, inspired by the stories of working women in aviation.
Her session at Parul University was raw and practical – not a motivational speech, but an honest debrief on what the profession actually requires.
Aviation Beyond Glamour: The Reality Check Students Needed
Captain Kaur opened with a statement that set the tone: “Aviation looks glamorous from the outside. The reality is that every cockpit decision carries the weight of hundreds of lives. Discipline and seriousness are non-negotiable. One wrong decision has consequences that cannot be undone.”
She told students that working in aviation requires strong mental strength and emotional stability. Flight delays, weather disruptions, and schedule changes are routine – not exceptions. The ability to remain calm through disruption is not a personality trait but a professional requirement.
Her advice: show up every day. Be consistent. Do not let anyone believe the job is too big for you. Instead, think of it as having space for many.
Balancing Motherhood and a Flying Career
One of the most resonant parts of the session was Captain Kaur’s candid discussion on motherhood. She acknowledged that being a working mother in aviation doubles the responsibility. But she framed it as a phase, not a permanent constraint.
She told the students and young professionals to be patient when things get tough. Avoid rushing for growth and focus on what truly matters. She agreed that a career is important, but not the entire life; it is just a part of your life. As she holds 18 years of experience, listening to these statements feels insightful.
Pro Tip: India tops the chart of female participation in aviation globally, at approximately 14% at IndiGo alone, compared to a global average of about 5-7%. Parul University offers a BBA in aviation and welcomes all genders, training them in hospitality, personality, and beyond book knowledge.
On Setbacks: When Go Airlines Stopped Operations
Captain Kaur did not shy away from the hardest chapter of her career. When Go Airlines ceased operations, she was deeply shaken. She had spent 16 years at the airline – it was not just a job, it was her professional home. But her love for the profession kept her from giving up.
She studied again, gave interviews, failed some, appeared again, and eventually joined IndiGo. Her message to students: setbacks are temporary. Things will get sorted with time. Always have backup plans. Do not let one phase define your entire life
Women in Aviation: Honest Advice, Not Slogans
Captain Kaur addressed gender bias directly. Women in aviation need to work harder to prove themselves – that is the current reality. She did not package this in inspirational language; she stated it as a fact.
Her advice: be clear about your goals. Do not compare yourself with others – compare yourself with who you were yesterday. Wear your confidence wherever you walk. Her closing message for young women was simple: show up every day. Work in progress is still progress.
Handling Pressure at 36,000 Feet
Captain Kaur shared a powerful metaphor: you can be flying at 36,000 feet and suddenly be confronted by ground reality. Success can shift into unexpected challenges without warning. Her advice: stay calm under pressure. Take independent decisions. Learn from others’ advice but think for yourself.
She described herself as spiritual, noting that she practices reading the Hanuman Chalisa when facing challenges or sensing danger. Inner peace and mental stability, she emphasised, are equally important in high-pressure careers.
Key Takeaways From Captain Arveen Kaur's Session
- Aviation demands mental strength and emotional stability – not just technical skill.
- Career setbacks (like Go Airlines shutting down) are phases, not endings.
- Motherhood and flying can coexist – but require patience and clear priorities.
- Women in aviation must work harder to prove themselves – the bias is real.
- Consistency matters more than speed: work in progress is still progress.
FAQ - Captain Arveen Kaur at Parul University
Who is Captain Arveen Kaur?
Captain Arveen Kaur is a senior captain at IndiGo Airlines with 18 years of commercial flying experience on Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. She previously spent 16 years at Go Airlines and was one of India's youngest women commercial pilots at age 19.
What did Captain Kaur speak about at Parul University?
She discussed career setbacks (including Go Airlines shutting down), balancing motherhood with a flying career, gender bias in aviation, the importance of discipline and mental strength, and why slow progress should not be mistaken for failure.
What percentage of pilots in India are women?
India has one of the highest percentages of female pilots globally. IndiGo reports approximately 14% women pilots, compared to a global average of around 5-7%. The DGCA reports approximately 15% of pilots in India are women.
