‘Segregated Skies’ tells the story of the first Black pilot for a commercial airline

David Harris became the first Black man to fly a commercial airliner when he was hired by American Airlines.

When American Airlines hired David Harris in 1964, he became the first African American pilot to fly for a commercial airline. Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cottman’s Segregated Skies tells his story.

(Image credit: Courtesy of David Harris/National Geographic)

When American Airlines hired David Harris in 1964, he became the first African American pilot to fly for a commercial airline. Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Cottman’s Segregated Skies tells his story.