Keralite Woman Makes History as Britain’s First Malayali Female Commercial Pilot

By Appachan Kannanchira

CAMBRIDGE, May 4: Sandhra Jenson, a Cambridge-born aviation pioneer with roots in Kerala, has earned her place in history as Britain’s first Malayali female commercial pilot of the new generation.

At just 21, Sandhra earned her commercial pilot’s license. By the age of 23, she had already amassed over 1,000 flying hours and flown more than 35,000 nautical miles—much of it in the cockpit of the Airbus A320. Her remarkable journey is now a point of pride for the UK’s Malayali community.

Currently flying for Middle East-based Jazeera Airways, Sandhra traces her ancestral home to Kalady in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. She moved to the UK with her family at the age of two. Today, this young aviator not only transports lives across continents with confidence and care but also finds deep personal fulfillment in her profession.

Her dream of flying began during her A-Levels, when she took a short course in air traffic control to gain work experience. That exposure ignited a fascination with aviation, which soon grew into a full-fledged dream. Inspired by the elegance of flight crews, the thrill of air travel, and her own growing ambition, Sandhra set her sights on the sky.

“The spark that aviation lit in me soon became fuel for my ambition,” she recalls.

However, the journey was not without challenges. As her desire to become a pilot intensified, so did the mental pressure. Sandhra credits her success to the unwavering support of her parents, who gave her the strength and encouragement to pursue her dream. Through intense study, rigorous training, and an unyielding work ethic, she carved her path in a competitive and male-dominated field.

Sandhra continues to invest in her professional growth and is currently pursuing a BSc in Professional Pilot Practice through an online program. She notes that in the UK, becoming a pilot doesn’t necessarily require a background in engineering, science, or mathematics. More important, she says, are cognitive skills—such as the ability to learn quickly, understand complex systems, and retain information with accuracy.

Though flight school is a high-cost investment, she believes its appeal lies in the relatively short path to a respected and rewarding career. In just two years, many can step into the cockpit—provided they have the determination to pass 13 demanding examinations. “It takes intelligence, resilience, and relentless dedication,” she says.

Family remains the foundation of Sandhra’s journey. Her father, Jenson Paul Cheppala from Okkal, runs ‘Achayan’s Choice,’ a thriving Asian grocery, meat, and fish business in and around Cambridge. Her mother, Shiji Jenson, is a senior nurse at Addenbrookes University Hospital. Sandhra’s older sister, Sona, works as a gas industry analyst, while her younger brother, Joseph, is a ninth-grade student.

She emphasizes the critical role family support plays—particularly for women in aviation. Between financial constraints, societal expectations, and balancing future family life, the journey can be daunting. “But things are changing,” Sandhra says. “Today, workplaces value human dignity and offer flexibility. Most days, there’s still time to be with family.”

To an outsider, an aircraft may seem like nothing more than a hulking steel machine cutting through clouds. To passengers, a flight may pass in a blur. But behind every smooth journey are countless decisions and cross-checks. Sandhra describes the A320 as an “elegant beast”—a perfect blend of power, precision, and pilot-friendly design. “Flying it feels like driving a talking sports car,” she says, referring to its intuitive fly-by-wire system.

“A pilot’s role is more than just flying—it’s about ensuring that every passenger arrives safely,” she says, with quiet confidence. “Life is like the sky—there are no limits. If you have the will, the passion, and the discipline, you can reach any height.”

As Sandhra Jenson continues to climb the ranks, many now look forward to the day she takes her place as captain—leading not just flights, but the next generation of aspiring aviators.