Fly Girls' Guide to Aviation Careers
Hosted by aviation CEO, FAA board alum, and high-performance business coach René Banglesdorf, Fly Girls’ Guide is the go-to podcast for women who want to launch, grow, or pivot their careers in aviation.
From the cockpit to the control tower, you’ll hear candid conversations with female pilots, mechanics, executives, air traffic controllers, and more—each sharing their stories, struggles, and the bold moves that got them where they are.
Whether you’re just discovering the skies or already leading at 30,000 feet, this show will equip you with real mentorship, practical insights, and the inspiration to chart your own course in the aviation industry.
Let’s build the future of aviation together—one Fly Girl at a time.
Fly Girls' Guide to Aviation Careers
From Cargo Pilot to Delta Air Lines’ Aircraft Acquisition Team: Crystal Barrois
In this episode of the Fly Girls’ Guide Podcast, René talks with Crystal Barrois, Delta Air Lines captain and General Manager of Aircraft Acquisitions. From her early days as a regional and cargo pilot to leading Delta’s entry-into-service programs, she shares how curiosity, relationships, and intentionality have shaped her career. She offers an inside look at what it really takes to bring a new aircraft into an airline’s fleet—and why her mantra “keep climbing” applies to both aviation and life.
Tune in as they discuss:
- Her path from flying cargo overseas to captain and fleet leadership at Delta
- What aircraft acquisitions really involve beyond signing a contract
- The importance of organization, intentionality, and strong networks in career growth
- Lessons from navigating ambiguity and making decisions with limited control
Crystal’s path from ramp agent to senior operations manager shows how curiosity, adaptability, and persistence can open doors across the industry. Her story highlights the often-unseen work that keeps aircraft and people moving safely every day.
From operations and training to mentoring the next generation, she proves that aviation careers are built as much on resilience and problem-solving as they are on technical skill.
About Crystal Barrois
Crystal Barrois is the General Manager of Aircraft Acquisitions on the Delta Air Lines Fleet team, overseeing Delta’s new aircraft Entry into Service (EIS) programs. Also a Delta Captain, Crystal has operated several aircraft in the Delta fleet, including the B-737, B757/767, and A320.
In 2014, Crystal was hired by Delta following a 10-year career as a commercial airline pilot. In 2016, Crystal recognized a need to increase the recruitment, retention, and promotion of top talent in both the Delta pilot hiring and leadership pipelines. She created and led the ASCEND program, focused on cultivating a diverse bench of talent for leadership roles in Flight Operations. She later served as the Manager of Pilot Development, responsible for implementing and overseeing several initiatives including the Delta Propel Company and Community Career Path Programs. She also helped design and launch Delta’s first pilot maternity uniform.
Prior to Delta, Crystal flew as a civilian pilot for regional, foreign, and cargo air carriers. She has an extensive aviation background as a domestic and international pilot and has held several leadership roles including Line Check Pilot, Base Manager, and peer committee volunteer. Crystal earned her pilot wings at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science in 2004.
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