Ballerina in the sky

This polyglot pilot pliés throughout the Pacific.

Guam, Micronesia

For Miyukiko “Koko” Kostelny, the journey to her dreams has been filled with language, dance, flowers and the sky. 

Almost without exception, remarkable women do two things: they look back with gratitude to the people who inspired them, and they find ways to pay that same kind of giving forward. Both of these traits are on full display with Miyukiko “Koko” Kostelny, a first officer for a major airline and a woman whose talents are only matched, it seems, by the richness of her early experiences from which she continues to find direction.  
Abingdon Co. image Displays Eugenia Kuzima, model and actress, blonde woman wearing a long red dress sitting on a ledge with her arms on her head. Daytime and she is smiling and looking off in the distance
Abingdon Co. image Displays Eugenia Kuzima, model and actress, blonde woman wearing a long red dress sitting on a ledge with her arms on her head. Daytime and she is smiling and looking off in the distance
Abingdon Co. image Displays Eugenia Kuzima, model and actress, blonde woman wearing a long red dress sitting on a ledge with her arms on her head. Daytime and she is smiling and looking off in the distance
Abingdon Co. image Displays Eugenia Kuzima, model and actress, blonde woman wearing a long red dress sitting on a ledge with her arms on her head. Daytime and she is smiling and looking off in the distance

Representation and Role Models Matter

“I am from the beautiful island of Guam,” she said, “and English is my first language, but I grew up in Japan, because my father was in the military, so I learned Japanese, too.” She also speaks a little Chamorro, the native language of her home island, as well as a smattering of Tagalog and Korean.

Aviation was always a backdrop in her life. As a girl, she saw aviation diversity at the military bases where her father worked. Though she finds herself today in a male-dominated profession, “on base,” she said, “diversity was part of the landscape.” 

“I think my visibility is important. Honestly, it wasn't until I was a captain at the regional airlines that I realized how many people had never seen a female pilot.”

“Sometimes passengers say that I don't look like a pilot.” Her go-to follow-up is, “Well, what does a pilot look like?” It’s a question that usually stops them in their tracks and prompts some useful reflection.  

Building Habits Through Ballet

Koko also studied ballet, a performance art that she believes has powerful intersections with flying. “I had to learn a lot of discipline doing ballet, and there’s a lot of repetition,” two critical skills for pilots. “Ballet also requires great focus,” along with memory, a commitment to practice, and an ethic of thorough preparation, all requisite habits for pilots, too. 

Servicing the Islands

“I love flying the Island Hopper, a route that’s unique to my company, from Guam to Honolulu or Honolulu to Guam, and in between we hop on these tiny islands in the Federated states of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. Those scenes, with turquoise and aquamarine waters, ocean reefs and lush jungles… take my breath away. It’s my favorite flying ever.” 

It's unsurprising that Koko finds the passengers on those Island Hopper fights a big part of the joy. “Some of them have never been on an airplane,” she shares, “but they come on with their beautiful traditional skirts, often giving crew members leis and mwarmwars (crowns of flowers), as well as handcrafted good luck tokens. “Our flights bring everything from [critical] supplies to the mail, but the best part is being able to connect family members.” 

Turbulence is Part of the Journey

Her advice to other women just getting started? “Believe in yourself even on the darkest, rainiest days. Hold on and wait until the rain clouds pass. Keep aiming for that goal, because the goal is so worth it.” 

There are unavoidably bumps aloft, she admits, but that too is part of the journey. “I am so fortunate to have had good mentors and friends in this industry. I’m here because of the women who have paved the path for me and supported me along my way.” 

It’s a mission that she has joyfully assumed.
What she says about her Abingdon watch

“I got my first Abingdon watch when I was still working on my ratings and building my hours,” Koko said, so her Abingdon watches have been there for most of her remarkable flying journey.

“I grew up with the motto that ‘15 minutes early is on time,’ she says. “If I get to the aircraft early, I'm going to better prepared, and my Abingdon watch keeps me on time.” Her secret to being early? “I like to set my watches to 15 minutes ahead, something you can’t do with a smart watch.” 

But it’s much more than that. “I like the brand that Abingdon has built, because it's for ladies who are bold, on-the-move and adventurous,” traits that clearly align with the way Koko moves through the world… and through the sky. 
What she wears:
Amelia Watch
Swiss GMT, E6B Flight Computer, Date Function, 4 Hand