Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger Biography, Age, Real Name, Career, Family & Latest News
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is a retired American airline captain, former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, aviation safety advocate, author and former diplomat who became internationally known after safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on New York’s Hudson River in January 2009.
The emergency landing, later known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” occurred only minutes after the Airbus A320 took off from LaGuardia Airport. After the aircraft struck a flock of Canada geese and lost power in both engines, Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles guided the powerless plane into the Hudson River. All 155 people aboard survived. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum later honored the entire crew with its 2010 Trophy for Current Achievement.
Sullenberger had already spent decades developing his aviation skills before the incident. His career included service as an F-4 fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force, commercial airline flying, flight instruction, accident investigation and aviation safety work. He retired from commercial flying in 2010 after approximately 30 years with Pacific Southwest Airlines and US Airways.
In the years following the Hudson River landing, Sullenberger became a public speaker and prominent advocate for aviation safety. He also served briefly as the U.S. Representative to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization with the rank of ambassador in 2022. In September 2026, he is scheduled to be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger Real Name
Sully Sullenberger’s full name is Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III. He is commonly known as “Sully,” a nickname that became internationally recognized following the 2009 Flight 1549 emergency.
He was born on January 23, 1951, in Denison, Texas, United States. As of September 2026, Sullenberger is 75 years old.
Chesley Sullenberger Age
Chesley Sullenberger is 75 years old as of September 2026. He was born on January 23, 1951.
His aviation career began long before he became famous. He learned to fly as a teenager and later attended the United States Air Force Academy, where he developed the military flying experience that became an important part of his professional background.
Early Life and Family
Sullenberger grew up in Denison, Texas. His interest in aviation developed when he was young, and he began taking flying lessons while still in high school.
According to Purdue University, he received a glider pilot license at age 14 and learned to fly a powered aircraft at 16. His early exposure to aviation eventually led him toward military and commercial aviation careers.
His father, Chesley Burnett Sullenberger Jr., was a dentist, while his mother was Marjorie Pauline Hanna. Sullenberger also has a younger sister, Mary. His childhood interests included aircraft and aviation, and his early flying experience helped establish the direction of his professional life.
Education
Sullenberger attended Denison High School before entering the United States Air Force Academy in 1969.
He graduated from the academy in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree. During his time there, he participated in the cadet glider program and became an instructor pilot. At graduation, he received the Outstanding Cadet in Airmanship Award.
He continued his education at Purdue University, earning a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology in 1973. He later earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1979.
His academic background was unusual for a career pilot because it combined aviation with psychology, public administration and organizational studies. Those areas would later complement his interest in safety, human performance and organizational decision-making.
U.S. Air Force Career
After graduating from the Air Force Academy, Sullenberger entered the U.S. Air Force and began his military pilot training.
He received his pilot wings in 1975 and subsequently trained on the F-4 Phantom II. He served with the 493rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom before later serving at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
At Nellis, he became a flight leader and training officer and participated as a mission commander in Red Flag exercises. He left active Air Force service in 1980 with the rank of captain.
The military portion of his career gave him extensive experience with aircraft operations, training and aviation safety before he moved into commercial aviation.
Commercial Airline Career
After leaving the Air Force, Sullenberger entered the commercial airline industry in 1980. He initially flew for Pacific Southwest Airlines, which was later acquired by USAir, eventually becoming part of the airline known as US Airways.
His commercial career lasted about three decades. During that period, he worked not only as an airline pilot but also as an instructor and aviation safety professional. He was involved with the Air Line Pilots Association in safety-related roles and participated in accident investigations.
By the time Flight 1549 took off from LaGuardia Airport in January 2009, Sullenberger had accumulated decades of aviation experience across military and commercial flying.
The Miracle on the Hudson
The event that changed Sullenberger’s public profile happened on January 15, 2009.
US Airways Flight 1549 was an Airbus A320 flying from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Charlotte, North Carolina, with 155 people aboard, including passengers and crew.
Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft struck a flock of Canada geese. The bird strike disabled both engines, leaving the aircraft without normal engine power while it was still at a relatively low altitude over the New York metropolitan area.
Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles assessed their options and ultimately turned the aircraft toward the Hudson River. The plane made an emergency water landing on the river.
All 155 people aboard survived. Nearby boats and emergency responders helped evacuate the passengers and crew from the aircraft. The Smithsonian later described the successful outcome as an example of the importance of training, experience and professionalism in commercial aviation.
The incident quickly became known around the world as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” and Sullenberger became one of the most recognizable pilots in modern aviation.
What Happened After Flight 1549?
The Flight 1549 crew received widespread recognition following the Hudson River landing.
Sullenberger and the other crew members received the National Air and Space Museum’s Trophy for Current Achievement in 2010. The award recognized the crew’s handling of the emergency and the successful evacuation of everyone aboard.
Sullenberger also became a sought-after speaker on aviation safety, leadership, crisis management, preparation and organizational performance.
Rather than treating the Hudson River landing as an isolated act of heroism, he frequently discussed the role of preparation, teamwork, training and safety systems in dealing with emergencies.
When Did Sully Sullenberger Retire?
Sullenberger retired from commercial airline flying in March 2010 after roughly 30 years with US Airways and its predecessor, Pacific Southwest Airlines.
His final commercial flight was followed by a transition into speaking, writing, aviation safety advocacy and consulting. His official biography describes him as a speaker, safety advocate, author and pilot.
Chesley Sullenberger as an Aviation Safety Advocate
Safety became a major focus of Sullenberger’s career after retirement.
He founded Safety Reliability Methods, Inc., a company focused on helping organizations improve safety, reliability and performance. He has also spoken extensively about aviation safety, pilot training, risk management and organizational culture.
His public work has emphasized the idea that successful emergency responses are often built on years of preparation rather than simply improvisation in a crisis.
Chesley Sullenberger as a U.S. Ambassador
Sullenberger’s career later expanded beyond aviation and into public service.
In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated him to serve as the U.S. Representative to the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization, with the rank of ambassador. The U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination in December 2021.
He took up the position in 2022 and represented the United States at ICAO in Montreal. His tenure ended on July 1, 2022. An official U.S. government report records his resignation effective that date, while ICAO formally noted his departure from the council.
His appointment reflected his longstanding involvement in aviation policy and safety rather than simply his celebrity status from Flight 1549.
Sully Sullenberger Awards and Honors
Sullenberger has received numerous honors during his career.
Among the documented recognitions are the National Air and Space Museum Trophy for Current Achievement, the French Legion of Honour, the Jabara Award for Airmanship, the Tony Jannus Award, the Air League Founders’ Medal and the Distinguished Crew Safety Award from the Air Line Pilots Association. He was also included in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2009.
The National Air and Space Museum award was particularly significant because it recognized the entire Flight 1549 crew for their handling of the emergency.
National Aviation Hall of Fame
One of the latest major honors in Sullenberger’s career is his selection for the National Aviation Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.
The Hall of Fame has scheduled its 2026 enshrinement ceremony for September 24, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Sullenberger is being honored alongside other aviation figures for contributions to the history and development of aviation.
His selection recognizes not only the 2009 Hudson River landing but also his broader career in aviation safety, pilot training and public service.
Chesley Sullenberger Wife
Sullenberger is married to Lorrie Sullenberger, whose birth name is Lorraine Mary Henry. The couple married in 1989.
Lorrie has worked as a fitness expert and television personality, and the couple have two daughters.
Sullenberger has generally maintained a relatively private family life despite the enormous public attention that followed Flight 1549.
Chesley Sullenberger Children
Sullenberger and Lorrie have two daughters, Kate and Kelly.
The family has largely remained outside the intense public spotlight that surrounded Sullenberger after the Hudson River landing.
Is Chesley Sullenberger Still Alive?
Yes. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is alive as of September 2026.
He remains publicly associated with aviation safety, speaking and aviation history. His official website lists his upcoming induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September 2026.
Chesley Sullenberger Health Update
In July 2026, Sullenberger publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
The diagnosis was reported by multiple major news organizations after Sullenberger released a personal statement. He described himself as being at the beginning of what he called a long journey.
Because this is a personal medical matter, the most relevant verified information is Sullenberger’s own disclosure and subsequent reporting about it. His diagnosis does not change the historical record of his aviation career or the events surrounding Flight 1549.
In a September 2026 interview, Sullenberger and his wife Lorrie discussed the diagnosis publicly, with Sullenberger emphasizing his determination to continue moving forward and using his platform to raise awareness.
Sully Movie: Who Played Chesley Sullenberger?
Chesley Sullenberger was portrayed by actor Tom Hanks in the 2016 film Sully.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film dramatizes the Flight 1549 emergency landing and the investigation that followed. The National Air and Space Museum describes the movie as being based on the real-life emergency water landing on the Hudson River.
Hanks’s performance introduced Sullenberger’s story to a much wider film audience, particularly viewers who had not followed the original 2009 news coverage.
Sully Sullenberger Book
Sullenberger also became an author following the Hudson River incident.
His memoir, Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters, was published in 2009 with Jeffrey Zaslow. The book focuses on his life, aviation career, values and the events surrounding Flight 1549.
The memoir helped provide Sullenberger’s own perspective on the experience at a time when he was receiving intense international attention.
Chesley Sullenberger and Aviation Safety
Although the Hudson River landing made him famous, Sullenberger’s career extends beyond the three minutes surrounding the emergency.
Before 2009, he had worked as a military pilot, commercial airline captain, instructor, safety chairman and accident investigator. His professional background included studying aviation accidents and safety systems.
That experience became part of the broader public discussion following Flight 1549. The U.S. Air Force Academy has continued to highlight Sullenberger’s career as an example of the institution’s aviation heritage.
Chesley Sullenberger Latest News in 2026
The biggest recent development in Sullenberger’s life is his upcoming induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for September 24 in Washington, D.C., with Sullenberger included among the year’s aviation honorees.
Another major development is his public disclosure of an early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis in July 2026. He has subsequently spoken publicly about the diagnosis and his determination to continue engaging with others through his public platform.
His legacy also continues through aviation institutions. The National Air and Space Museum featured Sully as part of its 2026 film series, revisiting the story of Flight 1549 more than 17 years after the original emergency landing.
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s Legacy
Sullenberger’s name is permanently connected with one of the most widely remembered emergency landings in modern commercial aviation.
But his professional story began decades before the Hudson River incident. From learning to fly as a teenager to becoming an Air Force fighter pilot, commercial airline captain, aviation safety expert, author and U.S. representative to ICAO, his career has covered several areas of aviation and public service.
Flight 1549 remains the defining event of his public life because of its extraordinary outcome. The successful landing and evacuation of all 155 people aboard turned Sullenberger and his crew into international figures, while the subsequent recognition of the crew emphasized training, teamwork and aviation safety.
In 2026, with his National Aviation Hall of Fame induction approaching, Sullenberger’s story continues to be remembered not simply as the story of one emergency landing, but as a decades-long career devoted to aviation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger
Who is Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger?
Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is a retired American airline captain and former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who became internationally known for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009.
What is Sully Sullenberger’s real name?
His full name is Chesley Burnett Sullenberger III.
How old is Chesley Sullenberger?
Chesley Sullenberger was born on January 23, 1951, making him 75 years old as of September 2026.
Where was Sully Sullenberger born?
He was born in Denison, Texas, United States.
What happened to Sully Sullenberger’s plane?
US Airways Flight 1549 struck a flock of Canada geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, disabling both engines. Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles guided the aircraft to an emergency landing on the Hudson River. All 155 people aboard survived.
How many people did Sully save?
All 155 people aboard Flight 1549 survived the Hudson River emergency landing. The figure includes the passengers and crew.
Is Sully Sullenberger still a pilot?
Sullenberger retired from commercial airline flying in March 2010. He subsequently focused on aviation safety, speaking, writing and public service.
Who played Sully Sullenberger in the movie?
Tom Hanks portrayed Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in the 2016 film Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood.
Is Sully Sullenberger married?
Yes. He has been married to Lorrie Sullenberger since 1989, and they have two daughters.
Did Sully Sullenberger serve in the military?
Yes. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1980 and flew F-4 Phantom II fighter aircraft. He eventually attained the rank of captain.
What is Sully Sullenberger doing now?
Sullenberger remains involved in aviation advocacy, public speaking and aviation-related public life. In 2026, he is scheduled to be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, while also speaking publicly about his early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis.