'A dream come true:' Mother-daughter pilot duo take flight for Southwest Airlines

SAN ANTONIO (WOAI) — A mother-daughter duo made history on July 23, 2022.

Captain Holly Petitt and first officer Keely Petitt became the first mother-daughter duo to fly together in the 55-year history of Southwest Airlines, according to a news release.

Holly Petitt started her career as a flight attendant with another company before she went to work in pursuing her dream of becoming a pilot, training and obtaining her flight certifications, while also being a full-time mom to three children. She has been a pilot with Southwest for 18 years.

Her daughter Keely was 14 when she realized that she wanted to follow in her mom's footsteps and become a pilot. She earned a pilot’s license and landed an internship with Southwest in 2017.

"Southwest was always the end goal for me," said Keely. "There was really never any other option."

And on July 23, the two made history when they flew their first Southwest flight together, from Denver to St. Louis.

It's been a dream come true," said Holly, "First, I found this career and fell in love with it, and then that one of my kids fell into this and in love with this career too. It's surreal.

Southwest Airlines released this statement on this history-making event:

Our People are the Heart of Southwest. We want to ensure we're equipping our Employees so they have a career with Heart and Purpose. Not only are Holly and Keely making Southwest history, but also they're breaking barriers and empowering women of all ages to pursue their dreams in aviation, and pun intended, reach for the skies.