Sunwing Celebrates Second Annual Black History Month Flight
by Bruce Parkinson
Sunwing celebrated Black History Month with an all-Black flight deck and cabin crew on a flight to MBJ.
Sunwing Airlines embarked on its second annual celebratory flight in honour of Black History Month yesterday. Departing from Toronto to Montego Bay with a plane full of excited travellers, the flight was led by a Black flight deck and cabin crew.
Leading the charge inflight was Captain Jeffrey Gill (Montreal-based) and First Officer Bereket Dadi (Toronto-based), along with Cabin Safety Manager Urszula Dec (Toronto-based) and Toronto-based Flight Attendants Chantele Francis, Nicole Cregg and Cheryl Williams.
“Celebrating Black History Month through this commemorative flight is more than just recognition – it’s a powerful message about progress and possibility,” said Michael Simmons, Sunwing Airlines’ Director of Line Operations and the driving force behind the initiative.
“As someone who’s spent over 30 years in aviation, I’ve witnessed firsthand how representation has evolved. When I started, I rarely saw pilots who looked like me. Today, by highlighting the achievements of Black aviation professionals, we’re showing the next generation that this exciting industry has a place for them.”
Together, Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines honour Black History Month and the legacy of Black Canadians through the Brave Space Conversation series where thought-provoking and meaningful dialogue is shared across the organization, ongoing reflection is encouraged, and innovations and achievements are celebrated – all while recognizing the challenges and systemic barriers still experienced to this day.
In a press release, Sunwing said that while February is an important time of reflection, the company is proud to support the Black community every day of the year through its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy, while promoting, honouring and celebrating DEI for all experiences and backgrounds as an extension of its EPIC Values.
“This isn’t just about acknowledging our past but also how we’re actively shaping the future by ensuring young people can see themselves in aviation,” said Simmons. “When they see us in the cockpit and on board as crew members, they know their dreams can take flight too.”
