David E. Harris, a former Air Force bomber pilot who at the height of the civil rights movement in the 1960s became the first Black pilot hired by a major commercial airline in the United States, passed away on March 8 in Marietta, Ga., about 20 miles northwest of Atlanta. He was 89.
His daughter Leslie Germaine confirmed his death at a hospice center.
In 1964, American Airlines hired Mr. Harris, and he served as a pilot for the carrier for 30 years, eventually becoming a captain in 1967. In 1984, he made history for the second time by flying with the first all-Black cockpit crew on a commercial airliner.
Before Mr. Harris was hired, Black pilots faced discrimination from airline executives who feared backlash from white passengers and difficulties in finding accommodations for them.
“He knew that he was extremely qualified, so on paper he would seem like an ideal candidate to many commercial airlines,” wrote Michael H. Cottman in his book “Segregated Skies: David Harris’s Trailblazing Journey to Rise Above Racial Barriers” (2021). “But once he was brought in for an interview, and a prospective employer saw the color of his skin, he was concerned that he would face disappointment again and again.”
Mr. Harris, who had a light complexion and green eyes, also feared that airline employees might mistakenly think he was white. He decided to leave no doubt about who he was, ending his application letters by writing, “I’m married, I have two children, and I’m a Negro.”
Several airlines didn’t even bother replying.
Another Black pilot, Marlon D. Green, was among the first to fight back in court against racial discrimination in hiring practices. His legal victory paved the way for Mr. Harris and other Black pilots to follow.
In 1964, Mr. Harris received a telegram from American Airlines arranging for an interview, where he expressed his concerns about potential discrimination based on his race.
“Young pilot,” the chief pilot replied, “this is American Airlines. We don’t care if you’re Black, white or chartreuse. We only want to know this: Can you fly the plane the right way?”
Mr. Harris answered affirmatively.
David Ellsworth Harris was born on Dec. 22, 1934, in Columbus, Ohio. He attended the Ohio State University and served in the Air Force before beginning his career as a pilot. He flew B-52 and B-47 bombers during his time in the Air Force.
Mr. Harris married twice and is survived by his daughters and grandchildren. He considered the flight transporting Whitney M. Young Jr.’s body as one of the most important of his career.
