‘Miracle on the Hudson’ First Officer Retires

Jeff Skiles, pictured second to left, and the US Airways 1549 crew. [Credit: American Airlines]

Jeff Skiles has retired from American Airlines after a decades-long flying career. Skiles is best known as the first officer on US Airways Flight 1549, which landed in the Hudson River in 2009.

While Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger retired from US Airways in 2010, Skiles continued flying at US Airways and later American Airlines when the two carriers merged in 2013. Most recently, Skiles was a Boeing 787 Dreamliner captain for American.

Skiles’ final flight was Sunday, coinciding with his 65th birthday the following day. According to various sources, his last flight was American 87 from London Heathrow Airport (EGLL) to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (KORD).

2009 Water Landing

The so-called “Miracle on the Hudson” occurred on January 15, 2009. The US Airways Airbus A320 lost both engines shortly after departure from New York’s LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) following a bird strike.

Sully and Skiles ditched the aircraft on the Hudson River and all 155 people on board survived.

At the time of the water landing, Skiles had been with US Airways for 23 years. Before that, he had worked for a cargo carrier.

Portrayed in the 2016 film Sully by actor Aaron Eckhart, Skiles has received numerous awards, including the 2015 EAA Freedom of Flight Award.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AirlineGeeks.com.

airline pilot retirement American bird strike Miracle On The Hudson pilot job Pilots US Airways US Airways Flight 1549

Ryan EwingAuthor

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.