Every year, National Siblings Day offers a chance to celebrate the unique bonds that shape who we are. For brothers Captain Jonah Wessel and First Officer Elijah Wessel that bond didn’t just stay on the ground—it took them all the way to the Envoy flight deck, where they recently had the rare opportunity to fly together with their family onboard.
Flight Foundations
Growing up, aviation wasn’t just a passing interest, but a shared pursuit for the brothers, fueled in part by a family friend who introduced them to the skies early on. That first discovery flight sparked something lasting, setting each of them on a path toward the airline industry.
Jonah took his first flying lesson at just 13 and earned his private pilot license on his 17th birthday. Determined to accelerate his training, he moved to Arizona at 19, balancing hard work and dedication to build the hours needed to launch his career. By 2019, he joined Envoy as a First Officer, drawn largely because of the direct path to a mainline flying career at American Airlines that Envoy provides all pilots.
Following Footsteps
Elijah’s path followed closely behind, but with a key advantage: having Jonah already in aviation.
“Having an older brother who was able to get into the industry first was a massive help,” Elijah shared. “He answered questions and helped me understand what I needed to succeed.”
After starting his training in Ohio, Elijah made the move to Miami—where Jonah was based at the time—to continue his flight education. Living together and pursuing the same dream added another layer to their journey, turning it into a shared experience both on and off the job.
When Elijah joined Envoy in 2024, it wasn’t just about starting his career, it was about continuing a story they had been writing together for years.
“As soon as Jonah ended up at Envoy, I knew that’s where I wanted to go,” Elijah said. “The possibility of us being able to fly together at the airline level was always in the back of my mind.”
A Full-Circle Moment
Last month, that possibility finally became a reality. With Jonah in the Captains seat and Elijah as Fist Officer, the brothers were joined by their dad on board for their first flight together. (pictured)
Flying together is special for any crew, but doing so as brothers, and with family in the cabin, is something few pilots get to experience. It’s a full-circle moment: from shared childhood dreams to shared responsibility at 35,000 feet.
Men of the People
Beyond that milestone, both Elijah and Jonah point to the people they get to meet along the way as the most rewarding part of their careers.
“My favorite part of the job has been the people I have gotten to know, which is a testament to the great culture at Envoy,” said Elijah. “I have flown with and met so many great people who have been really fun to talk to and have been able to help me learn and grow.”
Jonah finds fulfillment in mentoring newer pilots and watching their growth over time. He encourages all young pilots to stay curious and committed.
“My best advice to aspiring pilots is to never stop learning,” said Jonah. “Whether you upgrade or move on to a major airline, there’s always room to grow.”
This National Siblings Day, we thank Elijah and Jonah for sharing their stories, passion and brotherly love!
Interested in joining Envoy as a pilot? Visit envoyair.com/pilots.