08/31/2026
The inspiration continues. Dolly Parton once had to look up to see her niece, Danielle Parton, fly overhead...now she's smiling down on all of us. Danielle Parton went from flight attendant to Boeing 787 pilot, but she didn't use her name to get there.
After college, she worked as a flight attendant for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines before setting her sights on the cockpit. That goal led her to the U.S. Air National Guard, where she served with the 118th Wing, 123rd Airlift Wing, and 164th Airlift Wing, flying C-130 and C-5 aircraft on missions worldwide, including combat operations.
By 2012, she had become an Aircraft Commander, completing multiple deployments and logging thousands of flight hours. Her service earned her the Combat Action Medal, Air Medal, and a distinguished graduate designation from C-5 training.
Her last name may catch your eye, but it's her impressive career that deserves the attention!
