United Airlines Captain Jolanda Witvliet was honored with a traditional water cannon salute at O’Hare International Airport after completing her final flight and retiring from a remarkable aviation career.
For her last journey, Witvliet selected a meaningful route — flying from Amsterdam, where she was born, to Chicago, the city that had been her home base for decades. Friends, family, and loved ones joined her onboard to celebrate the special moment.
After landing at O’Hare, airport teams welcomed the aircraft with the traditional water salute given to retiring pilots, marking the end of a 36-year career with United Airlines.
Witvliet’s aviation journey began during childhood when she won a writing contest that gave her the opportunity to briefly control an aircraft. That experience inspired her dream of becoming a pilot, despite facing discouragement early on when she was told women could not fly professionally.
She later trained in the United States, earned her pilot qualifications, and joined United Airlines in 1990. Throughout her career, she flew multiple aircraft including the Boeing 737, Boeing 757, Boeing 767, and Boeing 777.
Beyond flying, she served as a simulator instructor, line check airman, aviation mentor, and contributor to pilot training development. Fellow pilots described her as a mentor, teacher, friend, and an important part of their aviation family.
Her final flight marked not only a retirement, but also a celebration of a legacy built through dedication, leadership, and inspiring future generations of pilots.
