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NEW YORK, NY — April 14, 2025 — Two American Airlines flight attendants are preparing to trade in their cabin crew roles for pilot seats, thanks to a scholarship aimed at nurturing new aviators from within the airline’s own ranks.

Kele Lowery, based in Dallas–Fort Worth, and Courtney Rumbaugh, based in Miami, have been named the 2025 recipients of the Elise Eberwein American Airlines Cadet Academy Pilot Scholarship, a competitive program that awards $50,000 toward flight training to each honoree.

Now in its second year, the scholarship honors Elise Eberwein, the airline’s former executive vice president, by supporting team members — particularly those facing financial barriers — who aspire to become pilots. The initiative is part of a broader 10-year effort to invest in future aviators from within American Airlines.

A New Flight Path

Both Lowery and Rumbaugh began their careers in the cabin but had their sights set on the flight deck from the start.

“Transitioning from flight attendant to pilot is a significant shift,” said Nathan Gatten, American’s executive vice president of American Eagle, corporate real estate and government affairs. “But Kele and Courtney have demonstrated the passion, discipline and resilience to make that leap. Their leadership and dedication to aviation make them outstanding representatives of this scholarship.”

‘Bravery and Tenacity’: Kele Lowery’s Journey

Lowery, who grew up in Blaine, Tenn., a small town in the foothills of the southern Appalachians, sees her journey as a chance to inspire others.

“I want to show little girls in small towns that they can achieve their wildest dreams with bravery and tenacity,” she said.

Her fascination with flight began while working alongside pilots, often volunteering to sit in the cockpit during crew breaks.

“What started as fascination quickly turned into a need for more knowledge,” she said. “The more I learned, the more I knew this was the path for me.”

From Space Coast to Skyways: Courtney Rumbaugh’s Dream

Raised in Merritt Island, Fla., near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Rumbaugh was drawn to aviation early. She began flight training prior to joining American Airlines but had to pause her education due to financial limitations.

“Becoming a flight attendant was strategic,” she explained. “I wanted to be in the environment, learn from pilots, and better understand the airline world. It only strengthened my desire to fly.”

With scholarship funds in hand, Rumbaugh is eager to bring her cabin experience to the flight deck.

“I’ll have a deep understanding of what my cabin crew is experiencing,” she said. “That perspective will make me a better communicator and leader.”

Investing in Future Aviators

The Elise Eberwein Cadet Academy Scholarship underscores American Airlines’ commitment to supporting career mobility and workforce development across its operation. The program, which awards two scholarships annually over a 10-year period, aims to diversify and strengthen the pipeline of future pilots by investing in those who already understand the unique demands of airline life.

Applications for the 2026 scholarships will open in the fourth quarter of this year.