Andrew Veerathanongdech

I’m Andrew Veerathanongdech, a First Officer at Air Transport International and former U.S. Air Force instructor pilot. I was born and raised in San Francisco by my mother, who immigrated from Thailand, and her strength taught me early the value of discipline and perseverance. I graduated from Marin Catholic High School in 2004, where I competed in tennis and wrestling, and later attended the United States Air Force Academy on an athletic scholarship. After earning my degree in Business Management in 2008, I completed pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, graduating second in my class.

During my Air Force career, I rose quickly—from KC-10 co-pilot to instructor and evaluator pilot—eventually leading evaluations for pilots, boom operators, and flight engineers. After leaving the military, I worked in corporate operations before returning to aviation full-time. I also earned my MBA from Columbia Southern University in 2020.

I now live in Philadelphia with my wife and our young daughter. My family is my greatest motivation. When I’m not flying, I enjoy surfing at the Jersey Shore and snowboarding in California. I believe success comes from good habits, humility, and staying positive—no matter what challenges life brings.