Stuart McInally, the former captain of the Scotland rugby team, has embarked on a new career as a pilot for Jet2, trading the rugby pitch for the cockpit.
McInally, who earned 47 caps for Scotland and captained Edinburgh Rugby, retired from professional sports in 2023. A neck injury marked the end of his rugby career, preventing him from reaching his 50th cap for Scotland. Shortly after his retirement announcement, he began training for an airline transport pilot license, fulfilling a childhood ambition.
"I always wanted to be a pilot. That kid you see at the airport; hands on the glass, starting out the window watching the planes take off and land, that was me," McInally stated on social media in 2023. He had begun accumulating flying hours in 2014 while still playing rugby.
Reflecting on his career transition, McInally noted similarities between rugby and aviation, stating, "Teamwork, preparation and staying calm at all times are just as important in aviation, so I'd like to think my rugby career has helped me in pursuing my dream." He described the recent months of training as "exhausting" but highlighted the valuable insights gained into the operational aspects of flying.
McInally made his professional rugby debut in 2010 and played 175 times for Edinburgh, serving as captain. He also led the national team to the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019. As a Jet2 pilot, he will be flying Boeing 737s, transporting families on holiday.
David Hills, Chief Customer Officer at Jet2, welcomed McInally to the airline, saying, "Stuart's journey is a fantastic example of the incredible people we have across our business. His achievements in rugby speak for themselves, and we're just as proud to see him succeeding in his new career with Jet2."