Top 10 Best Pilots in the World 2026 [GOAT List]

1. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger

Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is one of the best-known airline pilots in history. A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, he later flew commercial aircraft and became famous for the Miracle on the Hudson.

On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 lost thrust in both engines after striking birds shortly after takeoff from New York. Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles worked together to bring the Airbus A320 down on the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and crew survived.

His calm decision-making remains a lesson in aviation safety. In September 2026, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

2. Wilbur and Orville Wright

The Wright brothers changed aviation forever. On December 17, 1903, Orville Wright made the first sustained, controlled, powered airplane flight at Kill Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The historic first flight lasted just 12 seconds and covered 120 feet.

Wilbur and Orville went on to complete three more flights that day. Their greatest achievement was not simply getting an airplane into the air; it was developing a practical way to control it. Their work laid the foundation for modern powered flight. Read the National Park Service account of the first flight.

3. Charles Lindbergh

Charles Lindbergh made aviation history in May 1927 when he flew alone from New York to Paris without stopping. His aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis, carried him across the Atlantic in about 33 hours and 30 minutes.

This achievement made Lindbergh internationally famous and demonstrated how much long-distance flying had advanced. His journey remains one of the most recognized milestones in aviation history. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum documents the flight.

4. Amelia Earhart

Amelia Earhart broke barriers for women in aviation. In 1928, she became the first woman to cross the Atlantic by airplane as a passenger. Four years later, in 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo and nonstop across the Atlantic.

Earhart also encouraged other women to pursue aviation careers. In July 1937, she and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific during an attempt to fly around the world. Her record-setting flights and influence continue to inspire aspiring pilots. Learn more from the Smithsonian’s Amelia Earhart profile.

5. Manfred von Richthofen – The “Red Baron”

Manfred von Richthofen, better known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot during World War I. He was credited with 80 aerial victories, making him the conflict’s highest-scoring fighter ace.

Known for his tactical skill and leadership, he became one of military aviation’s most recognized figures. He died in April 1918 at the age of 25. His place on this list reflects his historical influence and flying record, not an endorsement of war. His wartime record is documented in this history of the Red Baron.

6. Tina Drazu

Tina Drazu is a Ugandan commercial pilot whose career has encouraged young people, particularly women, to consider aviation. She started flying professionally in East Africa and became a captain on the Cessna 208 Caravan before moving into airline operations.

At Uganda Airlines, she worked as a first officer on the CRJ900 and completed training for the Airbus A330. She was among the women helping expand representation in the cockpit of Uganda’s national airline. Her journey shows how training, experience and determination can open doors in commercial aviation. See this profile of Tina Drazu’s flying career.

7. Marija Jovanovich

Marija “Maz” Jovanovich is an Australian military test pilot and senior Royal Australian Air Force officer. Her career has included operational flying, aircraft testing and command roles.

She graduated from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School in 2014 and has logged approximately 3,500 flying hours across more than 30 aircraft types. In 2025, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. Her contributions highlight the importance of test flying to the development and safety of modern aircraft. These achievements are documented in her Aviation/Aerospace Australia biography.

8. Maciej “Slab” Krakowian

Maciej “Slab” Krakowian was a highly respected Polish Air Force F-16 pilot and leader of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team Poland. He was known for his precision flying, technical skill and demanding airshow performances.

In 2025, he received the “As the Crow Flies” Trophy at the Royal International Air Tattoo in the United Kingdom. Tragically, he died on August 28, 2025, during a training flight ahead of the Radom Air Show in Poland. He was promoted posthumously to lieutenant colonel. His achievements and service remain an important part of Polish military aviation history. The Polish Air Force University tribute records his award and death.

9. Erich Hartmann

Erich Hartmann was a German Luftwaffe fighter pilot during World War II. He is widely recorded as the highest-scoring fighter ace in aviation history, with 352 credited aerial victories across 1,404 combat missions.

His record reflects a remarkable level of experience in wartime air combat. It is important to distinguish military victory totals from the broader qualities of great pilots, such as civilian flight safety or aviation innovation. The Museum of Flight archives document his career and historical record.

10. Noel Wien

Noel Wien was an American pilot who helped make air travel possible across remote parts of Alaska. He began flying in the region in 1924, when aircraft offered a new way to connect communities separated by vast distances and difficult terrain.

In 1927, he founded Wien Air Alaska, regarded as Alaska’s first airline. His pioneering flights helped establish aviation as an essential means of transportation in the region. The National Aviation Hall of Fame recognizes him as a pioneer of Alaskan flying.