From childhood dreams to cruising at 38,000 feet, First Officer Shannon’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and purpose. In this inspiring feature, we follow her journey from watching planes take off at Dublin Airport to sitting in the flightdeck of an Aer Lingus Airbus A320 — sharing the highs, challenges, and unforgettable moments that shaped her path to the skies.

For Aer Lingus First Officer Shannon, flying was never just a job it was a lifelong dream that began in the most unexpected place: her granny’s kitchen. “Every day after school, I’d sit watching a show called Come Outside, about a female pilot and her dog going on adventures,” Shannon remembers with a smile. “I was completely fascinated. From that moment, I knew — I’m going to be a pilot.”

As a child, no family trip to Dublin was complete without a stop at the famous airport viewing mound, where she’d watch planes take off and land for hours, mesmerised by the power of the engines and the magic of flight. “I can still remember the roar of the engines and the excitement of seeing the aircraft so close. I could’ve stayed there all day.”

Her passion for flying never faded, and on her 18th birthday, a thoughtful gift from her best friend became the spark that set her dream in motion: a trial flight lesson. “Flying over my hometown, seeing my family down below looking up for me… I knew for certain that this was what I wanted to do. Having the controls in my hands felt amazing — and it really confirmed for me, this is what I want to do.”

“Every time I step into the flight deck, I still get that same feeling I had when I was little — the excitement, the love of flying. It never fades.”

Charting Her Course to the Flight Deck

Shannon’s path to the skies wasn’t a straight one. After finishing school, she decided to pursue Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, followed by a Master’s in Aviation Human Factors at Coventry University.

But while her academic journey gave her a deep understanding of the science and psychology behind aviation, there was still one major obstacle: the cost of pilot training. “Growing up, becoming a pilot always felt like a distant dream,” she admits. “The cost was so high, it didn’t feel achievable. I knew I had the passion and the dedication — I just needed the opportunity.”

That opportunity came in the form of the Aer Lingus Future Pilot Programme — a fully funded training programme that takes aspiring pilots from little or no experience all the way to the right-hand seat of an Airbus A320. “When I learned about the programme, I knew I had to apply. It removes the financial barrier that holds so many people back. It’s life-changing.”

After working full-time as a Fraud Analyst in the online gaming industry, Shannon applied — and in December 2019, she received the call she’d been dreaming of. She had earned a place. “It didn’t feel real at first,” she says. “I was over the moon.”

From Classroom to Flight Deck

The journey to becoming a pilot is one of dedication, resilience, and precision — something Shannon experienced firsthand.

Training began at FTE Jerez in Spain, where she and her fellow cadets tackled everything from meteorology and human factors to air law and instrumentation. The early stages, she explains, are intense: “We covered 13 ATPL theory subjects in ground school. “It’s a steep learning curve, but finishing those exams feels like a real accomplishment and the reward at the end is taking to the skies.”

Advanced UPRT – FTE Jerez Training

Once theory turned into practice, the magic truly began.

Her first solo flight — in a single-engine Piper Warrior — was a defining moment. “There’s nothing like the feeling of taking yourself up in a light aircraft and putting everything you’ve learned into practice. My first solo landaway was to Seville – I’ll never forget it.”

After completing the single-engine phase, Shannon advanced to the Diamond DA42 for multi-engine and IFR (instrument) training, followed by Advanced UPRT — learning to recognise and recover from stalls and unusual attitudes in an aerobatic aircraft. “Advanced UPRT was incredible. It’s thrilling, it challenges you and it’s one of my fondest memories from training.”

Dublin – After Base Training

From there, she transitioned into the Airbus A320 simulator, learning Aer Lingus’ standard operating procedures before returning home to Dublin to complete her type rating and base training — the final steps before earning her licence. “Base training was the moment everything came together,” she recalls. “You take an empty A320 to Shannon or Prestwick and practice a series of take-offs and landings. It is the first time at the controls of the real aircraft. There was a mix of excitement and adrenaline, but it’s also the moment you’ve been working towards. We spend a lot of time in the simulator training and while it’s incredibly realistic, nothing beats the feeling of flying the real thing.”

Full Circle Moments in the Sky

Since completing training and officially joining the Aer Lingus flightdeck, Shannon’s first year of flying has already brought unforgettable experiences.

Operating the inaugural return flight to Seville stands out as a key milestone. “My first solo landaway as a cadet had been Jerez to Seville in the Piper Warrior. So touching down there again, but this time in an A320, felt like everything had come full circle.”

There was also the time she surprised her family mid-flight — an unforgettable moment of joy. “They were flying home from Malaga, and I managed to swap onto the flight. They had no idea until the senior cabin crew made the announcement. The look on their faces was priceless.”

And then there was flying St. Brigid (EI-DVK) — an aircraft that carries her grandmother’s name. “My granny was a huge believer in me becoming a pilot when I was growing up. Flying that aircraft felt like having her right there with me, it was incredibly special.”

Seville, Spain

Life as a Pilot: Teamwork, Preparation and Passion

While passengers often see only the smooth take-off and landing, there’s a world of preparation happening behind the scenes. “Before each flight, I review the flight plan, check the weather for our departure, destination, and alternates” Shannon explains. “Then I meet the captain to brief the flight and head down to the aircraft to meet our cabin crew.”

Every team — from ground staff to engineers to flight operations — plays a vital role in ensuring a safe and punctual departure. “It takes an incredible amount of coordination. When pushback finally happens, it might look effortless, but it’s the result of so many people working seamlessly together.”

Though the job comes with its challenges — including early mornings, late nights, and time zone shifts — Shannon wouldn’t trade it for anything. “Yes, there are 3am alarms and long days, but the rewards are amazing. Watching the sunrise from the flightdeck, or seeing a city glow beneath you at night — it’s magical. Those are the moments that make it all worthwhile.”

Favourite Routes and Hidden Beauty

Shannon particularly loves flying to southern Europe, especially Malaga and Seville. “I lived in Malaga for seven years before becoming a cadet, so flying there feels like going home. The approach has incredible views of the Andalusian mountains and coastline. It’s breathtaking.”

Noctilucent Clouds

Her favourite view from the skies? Lisbon. “The approach into Lisbon is spectacular — the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge, the Cristo Rei statue — it’s stunning. One night, on our way home from Lisbon I was lucky to get a fantastic view of rare noctilucent clouds; which are silver-blue clouds made of tiny ice crystals that glow after sunset. It was a moment I’ll never forget.”

And when asked if anything unusual has ever happened on board, Shannon smiles. “Once, during boarding, a little girl came into the flight deck with her teddy bear and said, “Hey girl!” to me — so full of confidence. It completely made my day. Those little moments with passengers are really special.”

The Reality Behind the Romance of Flying

There are plenty of misconceptions about what life as a pilot is like. “People often think we’re constantly travelling and sightseeing,” Shannon laughs. “But while we do overnight on some routes, like London or Rome, most of our European flights return to base the same day. That stability allows for a really good work-life balance.”

“And as for the autopilot — no, it doesn’t fly the plane on its own. ‘The autopilot is a brilliant tool that helps us manage workload, especially in busy airspace,’ Shannon explains. ‘But we’re always monitoring and adjusting. Take-off and landing are flown manually — except in very low visibility conditions. In such cases, the A320 can perform an autoland under strict parameters. We complete dedicated training for this, closely monitor the system throughout, and can take over control at any moment if necessary.’”

Travel Tips from the Flightdeck

When it comes to flying, Shannon has learned a thing or two about making the journey more comfortable. “Hydration is key — the cabin air is dry, so drink plenty of water,” she advises. “Noise-cancelling headphones are also a must for me.”

And one final piece of advice before you settle into your seat? “Keep your essentials — headphones, tablet, chargers — in the bag under the seat in front of you. It makes your flight so much easier.”

Looking ahead, Shannon is eager to start transatlantic flying in the near future — and dreams of expanding Aer Lingus’ horizons even further. “If I could choose a new destination for Aer Lingus, I’d love to see us fly to South America — somewhere like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, or Buenos Aires.”

Midtown Manhattan and Lower Manhattan

A Dream Realised

For Shannon, flying is more than a career — it’s a calling. “Every time I step into the flightdeck, I still get that same feeling I had when I was little — the excitement and the love of flying. It never fades.”

Her journey from watching planes take off at Dublin Airport to flying them herself is a testament to what’s possible when passion meets perseverance — and to the opportunities that programmes like the Aer Lingus Future Pilot Programme can create. “If flying is your dream, don’t give up. With persistence, it really can happen. I never thought I’d get here, but now I’m doing what I love every day.”

Inspired by Shannon’s story?
Learn more about how you can take to the skies with the Aer Lingus Future Pilot Programme — where dreams of flying become a reality.