Flying the 777 – Making Every Journey Safe and Smooth
Today, Genevieve Pearmaine is a senior first officer flying the Boeing 777 on long‑haul routes for British Airways, but the spark that set her on this path came later than many might expect.
As a child, she spent time at Heathrow with her dad, an aircraft engineer, watching take‑offs and landings from the Queen’s Building and listening to air traffic control on his radio. Even then, she never pictured herself in the flight deck because she had never seen a woman flying an aircraft. That changed when she joined British Airways as cabin crew and met a female pilot for the first time. Seeing someone she could relate to in the cockpit opened a door she hadn’t realised was there and set her on the journey she’s on today.
Discovering the possibility of becoming a pilot
Once Genevieve realised piloting could be a career for her, she committed to finding a way in. She worked as cabin crew for five years, saving as much as she could. Back then she was able to get a loan secured on her parents’ house to fund her training – something she explains is now almost impossible because the risk is considered too high. Looking back, she calls it a huge leap of faith. ‘It was a massive loan. You don’t know if you’re going to get a job at the end of it,’ she says. But she persisted, stayed focused and pushed through.
After flight training, the job market was slow, so she took a role as a customer experience executive at British Airways, working in the terminal while applying for flying jobs. She kept a spreadsheet of every airline she contacted, every reply and every lead, determined not to give up. Finally, she secured her first flying job at BA CityFlyer.
Her time at London City Airport gave her invaluable hands‑on experience. The steep approaches, low passes over central London and fast turnarounds made it the perfect training ground. After gaining experience there, she applied to British Airways and was offered a position on the long‑haul 777 fleet. She has now spent around ten years flying the aircraft, with breaks for maternity leave and some work in recruitment on the ground.
A Day in the Life on the 777
A long‑haul duty day often starts well before she reaches the airport. With three young children, mornings begin at 6am, even if her flight is not until the afternoon. Once the school run is done, Genevieve sits down at home to review the flight plan. She checks the airfields they will be using, the route, weather conditions and any notices that might affect the flight. Having this head start helps her feel prepared before she signs in for duty.
At work, she meets the captain and they go through everything in detail – plans, weather, routing and fuel decisions. The 90 minutes before departure are often the most intense part of the day. The flight deck set‑up, technical checks, meeting the cabin crew and preparing the aircraft all have to be completed within tight timelines to ensure an on‑time departure.
Once in the air, the routine changes but the responsibility remains constant. Because long‑haul flights often operate far from suitable diversion airports, Genevieve and the captain continually assess the weather, monitor the route ahead and think through contingency plans. On every flight, they mentally rehearse emergency procedures so that, if something were to happen, their actions are calm and automatic. ‘People think autopilot does everything,’ she says. ‘But we still have to manage the aircraft and make the decisions.’
Working under pressure
Although emergencies are rare, pilots are trained to a high standard to be ready for them. In simulator sessions every six months, Genevieve practises a range of scenarios she may never encounter in real life. She also explains a technique they’re taught to use when something unexpected happens: ‘Cage your chimp, sit on your hands, take a deep breath.’ It’s a reminder to pause, stay calm and think clearly before reacting.
The hard parts of long-haul flying
Long‑haul flying can be tough on the body. Jet lag, night flights and unpredictable sleeping patterns all take their toll. After a recent trip to Singapore, Genevieve found herself sleeping far more than planned because her body clock simply needed rest. There are family challenges too. Pilots work any day of the year – including weekends and holidays – so she sometimes misses school events or special moments. Her children, still young, don’t always understand why she won’t be there the next morning.
Why she loves the job
Despite the difficulties, Genevieve’s enthusiasm for flying is clear. She loves that every day is different and that she’s constantly thinking on her feet. She enjoys working with people from all backgrounds – from crew to ground teams to air traffic control – and finds the uncertainty of each day part of the excitement. Travelling to destinations across America, India, the Middle East and the Far East brings variety and new experiences with every trip.
Routes into Aviation today
Genevieve knows that not everyone can take the financial risk she once had to. That’s why she is passionate about the Speedbird Pilot Academy, the fully funded British Airways training route that takes people from zero flying hours to a full airline licence. ‘It’s such an amazing opportunity,’ she says. For young people who dream of flying but worry about the cost, schemes like this open doors that would otherwise stay closed.
Her message to young people
Her advice to her 15‑year‑old self is simple: ‘Dream big and do something you enjoy.’ She believes motivation is the key to succeeding in any job, and that choosing subjects and pathways you genuinely like will always take you further.