Rich Henderson, creator of “Two Guys on a Plane” podcast, is committed to representation in aviation. Visibility creates safety, and for many LGBTQ+ flight attendants, the sky is a place of liberation.
Rich Henderson
Creator of “Two Guys on a Plane” podcast
“Why are so many flight attendants gay?” It’s a question I’ve been asked more than once — sometimes with genuine curiosity, other times with a hint of judgment. While stereotypes can often be limiting, I think this particular one points to something deeper. Aviation, perhaps more than any other industry, has long offered queer people something precious: freedom.
When I first became a flight attendant, I didn’t realize how much the job would force me to reflect on myself. I grew up in a community where being gay wasn’t always celebrated. But on the airplane, I found a new kind of liberation. You’re constantly meeting new people whether it be fellow crew members or even passengers. As a result, you experience so many cultures. One day you’re in San Francisco, the next you’re in Paris. You’re surrounded by colleagues from every background imaginable, and suddenly, the world feels wide open and the possibilities endless.
A workplace and a stage
For many LGBTQ+ people, flying offers the chance to live authentically in a way that might not have felt possible in your hometown. There’s a beautiful anonymity in our work. You might fly with 25 different coworkers in a month and never see the same one twice. That means you can show up as your unapologetic self without worrying about the judgment of others. The airplane is both a workplace and somewhat of a stage. It’s our place to connect, perform, and express yourself freely.
Our uniforms allow us to feel like we are putting on costumes that protect and empower us at the same time. It’s no wonder so many queer people are drawn to aviation. The flight attendant lifestyle mirrors the journey of self-discovery that so many of us take as LGBTQ+ individuals. Every destination, every crew pairing, every culture we encounter teaches us something new about who we are and who we can be. The wings we wear symbolize more than just our ability to fly: They unite us, much like the queer community itself, through shared experiences, resilience, and respect.
Breaking down gendered barriers
The industry hasn’t always been perfect, however. For years, rigid uniform policies and gendered expectations limited how people could express themselves. Thankfully, many airlines are beginning to evolve. More inclusive uniform options and a greater emphasis on authenticity are helping crew members show up as their true selves, whether that means a male flight attendant wearing makeup or a female flight attendant choosing slacks and flats over a dress and heels. Airlines are gradually learning that we can be true to ourselves and still uphold the professional image they expect.
Creating space without fear
Representation in the skies matters because visibility creates safety — for both crew members and passengers. Being queer in aviation isn’t just about pride flags and sassy announcements. It’s about creating a workplace where people can exist without fear. A place where you can say “my husband” or “my wife” to a coworker, and it’s met with a smile instead of silence. That’s part of why my husband and I started Two Guys on a Plane, our podcast and platform that celebrates flight attendant life through humor, storytelling, and community. It’s our love letter to aviation and to everyone who’s ever felt at home in the skies.
In the air, we are all just people trying to make the journey a little brighter for someone else. And for many of us in the LGBTQ+ community, that’s what pride and aviation have always been about: showing up authentically, being seen, and helping others feel a little more free along the way.
