From the island of Malta to the flight deck.

Born in Valletta, Malta on January 20, 1962, Mikiel Bonnici grew up surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. A dual citizen of Malta and the United States, his early years on the island instilled values of resilience, curiosity, and precision — qualities that would later define his approach to aviation.

After earning his Bachelor of Science from the University of Malta, Mikiel crossed the Atlantic to pursue his dream of flying. He completed his professional flight training at Phoenix East Aviation in Daytona Beach, Florida — one of the premier aviation schools in the United States.

In 1991, Mikiel joined American Airlines, beginning what would become a remarkable career. Starting as a First Officer in Chicago, his dedication and expertise led to promotion — he now serves as Captain, having logged over 25,000 flight hours across three decades of commercial aviation.

Now based in Miami, Florida, Mikiel previously called Chicago, Illinois home during his early years with the airline. He is widowed and the proud father of Stacey Bonnici and grandfather to Joshua Bonnici. When not in the cockpit, he finds joy in photography, reading, swimming, and of course — flying.