Aviation
10 airline crew planning experts
These ten airline professionals have led crew planning work, from pilot and flight attendant staffing to pairing, scheduling and crew workforce planning. A reader can learn how airline crew planning teams match crew staffing and schedules to the airline's flying.
Professionals to explore
01—10Alex Savic
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director Inflight Crew Scheduling, Crew Planning and Administration · United Airlines
Managing Director Inflight Crew Scheduling, Crew Planning and Administration at United Airlines since 2023. The profile describes leading the Crew Scheduling and Planning team of more than 450 people responsible for 30,000 flight attendants, with a focus on transforming legacy systems and process improvements.
Cátia Rebelo
LinkedInExperience: Crew Planning and Management Director · TAP Air Portugal
Crew Planning and Management Director at TAP Air Portugal since 2023 and former Crew Planning Director there (2021–2023). Other TAP Air Portugal roles include Airline Operation and Performance Expert (2021) and Airlines Operations Business Analyst (2017–2021).
Gary Brogan
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Crew Scheduling Optimisation · Norwegian
Vice President Crew Scheduling Optimisation at Norwegian since 2020. Other Norwegian roles include Head of Service Delivery Crew Management (2019–2020), Manager Pairing Planning (2019–2020), Manager Training Planning (2018–2019) and Team Leader - Flight Deck Training Planning (2017–2018).
John Makan
LinkedInExperience: Director Flight Crew Resource Planning & Analysis · United Airlines
Former Director Flight Crew Resource Planning & Analysis at United Airlines (2022–2023) and Senior Manager Crew Planning and Analysis - Pilot at American Airlines (2017–2022), where the profile describes responsibility for the short and longer term staffing of approximately 15,000 pilots. Other roles include Manager Crew Planning and Analysis - Flight Attendant at American Airlines (2013–2017).
Kaylin Shapiro
LinkedInExperience: Managing Director, Crew Workforce and Schedule Planning · American Airlines
Managing Director, Crew Workforce and Schedule Planning at American Airlines since 2025 and former Director, Crew Workforce Planning there (2022–2025). Other American Airlines roles include Sr Manager, Base Planning (2019–2022), Sr Manager, Material Planning (2016–2019) and Manager, Strategic Material Planning (2011–2016).
Lindy Johnston
LinkedInExperience: Director, Inflight Crew Planning & Analysis · Southwest Airlines
Former Director, Inflight Crew Planning & Analysis at Southwest Airlines (2019–2024) and Managing Director, Inflight Crew Planning & Analysis there in 2024. The profile describes the director role as responsible for workforce planning, staffing, analytics and insights for Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants. Other roles include Senior Manager Crew Scheduling, Inflight Operations (2018–2019).
Mandeep Kaur
LinkedInExperience: Manager IFS Crew Pairings & PBS · Air Canada
Former Manager IFS Crew Pairings & PBS at Air Canada (2016–2020) and System Pairing Manager there (2011–2016). Sr.Manager, Crew Optimization and Analytics at Air Canada since 2023, a role in which the profile describes directing data-driven strategies for crew optimization to improve resource allocation, scheduling efficiency and operational performance.
Mark Sutcliffe
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Crew Planning & Analytics · Southwest Airlines
Vice President Crew Planning & Analytics at Southwest Airlines since 2024. Other Southwest Airlines roles include Managing Director Crew Planning & Analytics (2022–2024), Director Crew Planning & Analytics-Flight Operations (2019–2022), Sr. Manager Crew Planning & Analytics -Flight Operations (2016–2019) and Manager of Flight Operations Crew Planning (2012–2016).
Nicole Süß
LinkedInExperience: Director Head of Crew Capacity Planning & Performance Management Crew · Lufthansa
Director Head of Crew Capacity Planning & Performance Management Crew at Lufthansa since 2023 and former Head of Crew Capacity Planning Cockpit & Cabin Lufthansa Airline (2016–2022). The profile describes responsibility for strategic capacity, manpower and resource planning for cockpit and cabin at both Lufthansa hub airports, Frankfurt and Munich.
Paul Johnston
LinkedInExperience: Head of Workforce Planning - Crew · Qantas Airways
Head of Workforce Planning - Crew at Qantas Airways since 2002. Other roles shown include Brand Manager, Financial Analyst, Data Analyst at GSK (1999–2002), Software Consultant at MYOB (1997–1999) and Management Accountant at Thrifty Car & Truck Rental Australia (1994–1997).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's crew group and planning horizon to your question, since long-term pilot staffing and day-to-day pairing or scheduling are different jobs. Also consider whether the person's airline works under union contracts similar to yours, since those rules shape most crew planning choices.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How far ahead do you plan crew numbers, and how do you adjust when the flight schedule changes late?
- 02How do you build pairings and rosters that meet contract rules without wasting crew time?
- 03Which measures tell you early that a crew base is heading toward a shortage or a surplus?
Reaching airline crew planning experts
How can I contact one of these airline crew planning experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 8 companies, including United Airlines, TAP Air Portugal and Norwegian, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach airline crew planning experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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