Smit Machchhar is an Indian commercial pilot and a captain with flydubai. He began his aviation career with SpiceJet in 2011 and later joined flydubai in 2022. With over a decade of experience in the aviation industry, he has flown Boeing 737 aircraft. He garnered attention following a serious incident on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv in 2026; his actions during the event earned him international recognition and public acclaim.
Smit Machchhar Bio/Wiki
Smit Machchhar was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He studied Man-Made Textile Chemistry and Apparel & Textiles at the SASMIRA Institute of Man-Made Textiles. Later, he pursued management studies at the Welingkar Institute of Management in Mumbai and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree.
While studying management, at the age of about 19, Smit attended an aviation seminar. That experience sparked an interest in flying, and he eventually decided to change his career path. He subsequently traveled to New Zealand for commercial pilot training, undergoing an 18-month training program at a school in Dunedin.
After completing his training, Smit returned to India and began his commercial aviation career with SpiceJet. After gaining extensive experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft over several years, he took on the role of training and mentoring other pilots.
Smit Machchhar Personal Information
| Full Name | Smit Machchhar |
| Profession | Commercial Pilot |
| Date of Birth | Not Known |
| Age | 39 Years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, Indian |
| College | Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai, Maharshtra |
| Qualification | Textile studies and Bachelor of Business Administration |
| Height (approx.) | Not Known |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair color | Black |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Not Known |
| Zodiac Sign | Not Known |
| Hobbies | Not Known |
| Net Worth | Not Known |
Smit Machchhar Debut
| Commercial Pilot Career | SpiceJet |
| Year | 2011 |
| First Major Airline | SpiceJet |
| Position at SpiceJet | Senior Commander |
| Line Training Captain | 2020 |
| Joined flydubai | June 2022 |
| Position at flydubai | Captain |
Smit Machchhar Family & Relationship
Smit Machchhar comes from a family involved in the textile business in Mumbai. His initial plan was to carry forward the family business, but his interest in aviation led him down a different path. Smit is married and has two children.
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Name Not Known |
| Father | Name Not Known |
| Mother | Name Not Known |
| Children | Two |
Smit Machchhar Career
While pursuing management studies in Mumbai—at around the age of 19—he attended an aviation seminar. This experience sparked an interest in flying, leading him to decide to pursue a career in aviation. He subsequently underwent training in New Zealand before returning to India to begin his professional career.
Smit joined SpiceJet in 2011. During his 11-year tenure with the airline, he rose to the rank of Senior Commander. In 2020, he became a Line Training Captain, a role that entailed training and evaluating pilots. According to his professional profile, he logged over 6,400 hours of flight time as a Pilot-in-Command during his time at SpiceJet.
In June 2022, he joined flydubai as a direct-entry Captain. He has flown with the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet, accumulating over 9,750 flight hours.
Smit garnered significant attention following an incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30, 2026. The flight was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a serious incident occurred inside the cockpit. Smit sustained injuries, while passengers and crew members intervened to help. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Smit received medical treatment; reports indicated his condition was stable.
Following the incident, his actions received international acclaim. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised him.
Smit Machchhar Career Highlight
| 2008 | Began pilot training in New Zealand |
| 2011 | Joined SpiceJet |
| 2020 | Became Line Training Captain at SpiceJet |
| 2022 | Joined flydubai as a direct-entry captain |
| 2026 | Came into international attention following the flydubai Flight FZ1073 incident |
Smit Machchhar Awards & Achievements
- In 2026, he received public praise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073.
- In 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended him for his actions during an in-flight emergency.
- In 2026, this incident drew attention to his experience and performance as a commercial pilot, earning him international recognition.
- During his career, he served as a Line Training Captain at SpiceJet, where he was responsible for training and evaluating other pilots.
- He has over 9,750 hours of experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft.
Smit Machchhar Social Media Accounts
| @smit_machchhar |
Smit Machchhar Interesting Facts
- He developed an interest in flying at the age of approximately 19.
- He completed his pilot training in New Zealand.
- He began his airline career with SpiceJet in 2011.
- He spent nearly 11 years with SpiceJet.
- He became a Line Training Captain and assisted in training and evaluating other pilots.
- He joined flydubai as a Direct-Entry Captain in June 2022.
- His professional profile records over 9,750 flying hours.
- He has experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft.
- Smit is married and has two children.
- According to reports, his brother is also a pilot at Akasa Air.
- He gained significant international attention following the flydubai incident in September 2026.
- Despite garnering international attention, Smit has generally kept his personal life out of the limelight.
