Women in Aviation International

What Women in Aviation International does

Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1994 (with its inaugural conference held in 1990) and headquartered in Germantown, Ohio. WAI operates as a membership-based community for women across all aviation and aerospace disciplines — pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, engineers, executives, and astronauts — and has grown to over 20,000 members worldwide supported by a chapter network of 110+ in 17+ countries. Its core programs include the annual International Women in Aviation Conference (4,500+ attendees from multiple countries), a scholarship program that has disbursed more than $11.5 million since 1995, and Girls in Aviation Day, a youth outreach initiative reaching 42,000+ participants in 2025.

The organization's product portfolio centers on member services, education content, and events rather than a unified software product. Members access AFW Magazine, the Aviation for Girls magazine and mobile app, the WAI On Air podcast, Jobs Connect, Mentor Connect, and the WAI Store. The underlying technology stack is a web platform at wai.org, built on Novi AMS association management software for membership transactions and event registration, complemented by a separate e-commerce site at wai-store.org. Distribution is multi-channel: direct digital self-serve via the website, grassroots delivery through 110+ local chapters, corporate partner facilities (United Airlines hosts Girls in Aviation Day at 12+ global hubs), and large in-person events including the annual conference and the WomenVenture week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

WAI's revenue model blends recurring membership dues, one-time conference registration fees, subscription-style corporate memberships and sponsorships (Amazon, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta are Strategic Partners), merchandise sales, and grants/donations from foundations such as the ISTAT Foundation and Bell. Go-to-market is community-led: acquisition flows from the conference, chapter network expansion, corporate partnerships, and youth outreach, with applications processed online. The organization is governed by an independent board, has 11-50 employees, and operates across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Name

Women in Aviation International

Legal name

Women in Aviation International

Website

https://wai.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Women in Aviation International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving over 20,000 members and 110+ global chapters through its annual conference, $11.5M+ in cumulative scholarships, and youth outreach via Girls in Aviation Day for women in aviation and aerospace careers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association / Aviation Industry Membership Organization

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Flight Training (611512)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Aviation professional networking
• Aviation scholarship programs
• Women in aerospace association
• Girls aviation outreach
• Aviation industry events

Headquarters

HQ city

West Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: WAI generates revenue through annual membership dues, providing members access to networking, mentoring, scholarships, publications (AFW Magazine), chapter resources, and member discounts.
2. Conference Registration: The annual International Women in Aviation Conference generates revenue through attendee registration fees. The 2026 conference was held in Dallas, Texas (March 19-21) and the 2027 conference is planned.
3. Corporate Memberships and Sponsorships: Aviation companies and airlines pay for corporate membership and sponsorship opportunities to access WAI's member network and demonstrate commitment to diversity in aviation.
4. WAI Store: Online merchandise sales through wai-store.org including Aviation Girl patches, Girls in Aviation Day materials, and branded merchandise.
5. Grants and Donations: WAI receives grants from foundations (ISTAT Foundation, Bell) and individual donations to support educational programs like Girls in Aviation Day and Aviation for Girls magazine distribution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Women in Aviation International is a nonprofit membership association that provides networking, mentoring, scholarship opportunities, youth outreach programs, and an annual international conference for women across all aviation and aerospace careers. Core offerings center on individual membership access, flight training and academic scholarships, the annual International Women in Aviation Conference, and the Girls in Aviation Day global youth outreach program.

Product overview

Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a membership-based nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the annual International Conference, a Scholarship Program supporting flight training and academic pursuits, and the Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) international outreach initiative. Members receive access to publications (AFW Magazine, Aviation for Girls Magazine), the WAI On Air Podcast, digital resources (Aviation for Girls App, Jobs Connect, Mentor Connect), regional WAI Connect Events, the WAI Store, and recognition through the International Pioneer Hall of Fame. The organization operates over 115 global chapters and maintains strategic partnerships with aviation industry leaders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Girls in Aviation Day: An international outreach program designed to introduce and educate girls ages 8-17 on career choices and lifestyle possibilities in the aviation/aerospace industry.
• Aviation for Girls
• WAI Conference Connect

Products and services

• WAI Annual International Conference Annual flagship conference bringing together thousands of women from all aspects of aviation and aerospace for education sessions, networking, scholarship awards, exhibit hall, and the Pioneer Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
• Scholarship Program Annual scholarship program providing financial awards for flight training, academic tuition, and professional development across various aviation and aerospace career paths.
• Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) Annual international outreach event designed to introduce girls ages 8-17 to aviation and aerospace careers through hands-on activities, role models, and educational programming.
• WAI Membership Annual membership program providing access to global networking, career-advancing resources, mentorship via Mentor Connect, member discounts, AFW Magazine, chapter participation, and the Jobs Connect job board.
• AFW Magazine (Aviation for Women) Official monthly digital publication of Women in Aviation International featuring aviation news, career profiles, member spotlights, and industry developments for WAI members.
• Aviation for Girls Magazine Annual magazine designed for girls ages 8-17 introducing aviation and aerospace career possibilities, distributed at Girls in Aviation Day events and supported by ISTAT Foundation grants.
• WAI On Air Podcast Podcast series featuring interviews, discussions, and stories from women in aviation and aerospace careers.
• WAI Connect Events Regional in-person networking events hosted at various locations providing education sessions, tours, speakers, and opportunities to connect with fellow WAI members.
• Aviation for Girls App Mobile application providing youth-focused aviation career resources, content, and information for girls ages 8-17 interested in aviation.
• WAI Store E-commerce platform offering merchandise, educational materials, Aviation Girl patches, Girls in Aviation Day materials, and branded aviation-related products for members and supporters.
• Mentor Connect Mentorship program connecting experienced aviation professionals with members seeking guidance and career development support.
• Jobs Connect Career resources and job board connecting WAI members with aviation industry employment opportunities.
• International Pioneer Hall of Fame Hall of Fame program recognizing women who have made significant contributions to aviation and aerospace or opened doors for other women in the industry.
• Harvard Emerging Leaders Courses Scholarship Scholarship-funded executive education partnership between WAI and Harvard University providing on-campus and virtual leadership development courses for WAI members, with executive education designed specifically for aviation professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 members worldwide in the largest nonprofit organization for women in aviation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Harvard UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026WAI and Harvard University partner for the Emerging Leaders Courses scholarship program. The Class of 2027 offers on-campus and virtual courses providing leadership development for WAI members. Harvard faculty deliver executive education specifically designed for aviation professionals.
• AmazoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon is a WAI Strategic Partner. Amazon Air employees participate in WAI as members, and Amazon supports WAI's mission to promote women in aviation through corporate partnership. Amazon's logo appears on WAI's strategic partners section of the website.
• American AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Airlines is a WAI Strategic Partner. The airline's employees including pilots, flight attendants, and maintenance personnel are active WAI members. American Airlines headquarters in Fort Worth, TX supports corporate membership and scholarship programs.
• United AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Airlines is a WAI Strategic Partner. United hosts Girls in Aviation Day events at 12+ locations globally including Amsterdam, Chicago, Denver, Dublin, Frankfurt, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Newark, Paris, San Francisco, and Washington Dulles. The partnership includes employee membership and scholarship support.
• Gleim AviationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGleim Aviation sponsors pilot Vicky Benzing through WAI, with Benzing performing at airshows including EAA AirVenture. The sponsorship promotes aviation education and encourages diversity in the pilot community.
• Women and DronescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAI partnered with Women and Drones to welcome drone pilots and operators to the organization. WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian serves on the Women and Drones Advisory Board. Joint efforts include drone-focused programming at conferences and a promotional partnership offering discounted WAI memberships to Women and Drones members.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAA and WAI partner on WomenVenture, a week-long social and networking event for women during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Now in its second decade, WomenVenture includes the annual group photo in Boeing Plaza, Connect Breakfast, Power Lunch, and educational programming. WAI maintains a booth at AirVenture.
• Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerALPA hosts receptions for aspiring airline pilots as part of WomenVenture week at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The partnership connects WAI members with professional airline pilots and career guidance from the major carrier pilots' union.
• Delta Air LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelta Air Lines is a corporate WAI member and Girls in Aviation Day sponsor. Delta hosts WING flights for girls ages 12-18, introducing participants to National Flight Academy in Pensacola, FL. Delta has celebrated Girls in Aviation Day for multiple years.
• Sporty's Pilot ShopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSporty's provides instructional sectional charts for Girls in Aviation Day events distributed through WAI's network of 100+ chapters. Sporty's is a long-time supporter of both WAI and Girls in Aviation Day, providing educational materials for thousands of girls.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): Largest general-aviation membership association in the US; comparable as a large-scale aviation membership nonprofit offering publications, advocacy, scholarships, and youth programming to a broader demographic than WAI.
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA): Premier professional society for aerospace engineers and professionals; comparable as an aerospace professional membership body with conferences, publications, awards, and student/youth engagement—but serving a broader engineering audience than WAI.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): Large general-aviation nonprofit membership association hosting EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and Young Eagles; comparable as a flagship aviation membership/community organization with a wider (broader-gender) scope, and an actual WAI Flagship partner via WomenVenture.
• National Business Aviation Association (NBAA): Leading trade association for business aviation; comparable as an aviation industry membership organization offering conferences, advocacy, publications, and scholarships—though focused on business aviation rather than gender diversity.
• International Air Transport Association (IATA): Global trade association representing airlines; comparable as a large international aviation membership/advocacy body serving the airline industry that WAI's corporate partners (United, American, Delta) belong to.

Direct peers

• The Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots founded in 1929; directly comparable as the other major nonprofit dedicated to women in aviation, with shared focus on scholarships, mentoring, and a network of professional and student pilots.
• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP): Nonprofit focused on increasing minority representation in aviation and aerospace careers, including pilots, mechanics, and executives; directly comparable as a diversity-focused aviation professional membership organization with scholarships and youth outreach.
• Women and Drones: Direct partner of WAI that promotes women in the drone/UAS industry; directly comparable as a diversity-focused professional organization serving women in an adjacent aviation segment, with mutual membership programming.

Regional players

• Royal Aeronautical Society: UK-based professional society for the aerospace community, founded 1866; comparable as a long-standing aviation professional membership organization offering conferences, publications, and awards, but operating principally in the UK/Europe rather than globally like WAI.

Emerging players

• Helicopter Association International (HAI): International trade association for the helicopter industry with members and conferences; comparable as a niche aviation membership association, though with overlapping sponsors like Bell (a WAI funder).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/womeninaviation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@womeninaviationintl
• Facebookfacebook.com/womeninaviationintl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-in-aviation-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/womeninaviation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women in Aviation International