When Sascha D’Angelo started at SWISS twelve years ago, he was still sitting in the cockpit of the Avro RJ100, affectionately known in-house as the “Jumbolino.” Today, he is just a step away from earning the fourth stripe on his uniform. After flying the Airbus A220 family and spending six years on the Boeing 777, the 35-year-old is now in the middle of his captain training on the A220.

The timing could hardly be more exciting: Just a few days before our conversation, he flew the aircraft from the left seat for the first time. In three days, he will operate his first scheduled passenger flight as a captain in training. “After my very first flight with passengers, these are probably the most exciting days of my entire career,” he says with a laugh.

More than just the other side of the cockpit
Anyone who thinks that moving from First Officer to Captain simply means changing seats is mistaken. While captain training also begins with classroom instruction and simulator training, the crucial difference comes later. During so-called “LOFT sessions” - Line Oriented Flight Training – aspiring captains are deliberately pushed to their limits. Technical problems, deteriorating weather conditions, and operational challenges all unfold at the same time. The goal is not to provoke mistakes, but to reveal how someone leads under pressure. “You learn how you react in stressful situations,” Sascha explains. “And most importantly, you realize that you remain capable of taking action. Together with the crew, you find solutions and get the aircraft safely to its destination.”

Leadership is different every day
For the Freiburg native, however, the greatest challenge is not flying itself, but leadership. Unlike many managers, a captain works with new teams every day. Every crew brings different personalities, experiences, and expectations. “You walk into the Operations Center at Zurich Airport in the morning without knowing which people will be accompanying you that day,” Sascha says. “And yet, within just a few minutes, you have to create an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best.”

Over the years, he has worked with and observed countless captains. The best ones had one thing in common: They create a positive atmosphere while remaining competent and standing up for their crew. “I want to be someone who can play the whole range,” he says. “Have a sense of humor when the situation calls for it. Be serious when necessary. And be there for the crew when it matters.”

A fascination that never fades
Sascha’s fascination with flying has been with him since early childhood. As a young boy, he was allowed to visit the cockpit on a domestic flight in Argentina and briefly sit in a pilot’s seat. What seems unimaginable today was possible back then – and became a defining moment for him. The visit lasted only a few minutes, but even then, he knew: One day, he wanted to sit up front in the cockpit himself.

The road to getting there, however, was marked by self-doubt. During his training, he long considered his dream out of reach. Today, he tries to pass those experiences on to others, including through social media. On his Instagram channel, he gives followers a glimpse into everyday life in the cockpit and, above all, wants to encourage young people to pursue their dreams. “I always say: Give it a try. You’ll only regret it if you don’t.”

SWISS: A dream employer
That he now flies for SWISS is something Sascha certainly does not take for granted. While training in Frankfurt, he attended a presentation about SWISS’s then-new C Series, now known as the Airbus A220.
At the time, he never imagined that he would one day become part of that story himself. What continues to fascinate him about SWISS is its unique culture: “We’re big enough for everything to run professionally, yet small enough that people know each other and can contribute their ideas.”

The story comes full circle in a particularly fitting way: One of the pilots who presented the C Series in Frankfurt back then will now be joining Sascha on his first passenger flight as a captain in training. “That’s how the circle closes.”

Between the cockpit and the DJ booth
When he’s not flying, Sascha devotes himself to a completely different passion: electronic music. He has been DJing and producing his own sets since his school days. Even on layovers – overnight stays away from home – his hobby comes along for the ride. A compact controller easily fits in his luggage.

“Making music with a view of the Singapore skyline. Those are pretty special moments,” he says. One idea has stayed with him over the years, always with a wink: setting up a small DJ set in the arrival hall in Zurich on the day of the Street Parade, naturally wearing his SWISS uniform. “Just imagine, passengers arrive and are greeted by a pilot playing music,” he says with a laugh. “I think a lot of people would think that’s pretty cool.”

The next big moment
Before that happens, however, another milestone awaits. In a few weeks, Sascha will undergo his final line check. If everything goes according to plan, he will then be officially appointed Captain—and earn the fourth stripe on his uniform.

Until then, Sascha is meticulously preparing for every flight. A little excitement comes with the territory. Or, as he puts it himself: “I’m looking forward to setting the tone for the day, taking on responsibility, and putting into practice everything I’ve learned over the past twelve years.”