Christopher Behnam, Keynote Speaker

Captain Christopher Behnam

Motivational Keynote Speaker | Former Airline Captain | Crisis Leadership Expert
Available for Global Speaking Engagements: North America | Europe | Asia

Captain Christopher Behnam is a former international airline captain with over 38 years of experience flying commercial aircraft and inspiring thousands with his life story of courage, resilience, and leadership under pressure.

His most renowned moment came during a critical in-flight emergency where his crew and him successfully saved lives of 381 passengers where his Boeing 777 experienced catastrophic engine failure over Pacific Ocean. That defining experience became the foundation for his global keynote message — “Impossible is noting.”

Today, Captain Behnam shares powerful lessons on decision-making, crisis leadership, resilience, and human potential. Blending aviation expertise with deeply human stories, his talks move audiences to act with clarity, courage, and purpose in their own high-stakes environments.

A seasoned storyteller with commanding presence and heart, Captain Behnam has spoken to corporate leaders, executives, professionals, students, and frontline teams across industries. His keynotes are ideal for organizations seeking transformation, motivation, and grounded leadership in uncertain times.

Highlights:

Motivational + Leadership Speaker to Fortune 500 Companies, Public Speaker
Award Winner, Author, Podcast host of “Date with Destiny”
Inspirational Keynote, Business and Motivational Speaker
Recipient of Superior Airmanship Award by Airline Pilots Association
Insights featured in publications like “Air Line Pilot” Magazine
On Roster of prestigious Washington Speaking Bureau and other agencies

Speaking Topics

Signature Keynote: “The Calm Within the Storm” and “ Impossible is Noting”
What saving hundreds of lives mid-air taught me about leadership, mindset, and trust.

Other Popular Talks:

From Cockpit to Boardroom: Crisis Leadership That Saves Lives
Mindset at 36,000 Feet: Staying Grounded When Everything’s at Risk
Team Communication Under Pressure: Lessons from Aviation, Crew Coordination and Leadership Where it Matters The Most
Turning Adversity into Purpose: A Pilot’s Journey

Talks are fully customizable for:
✔ Corporate Conferences, Virtual Keynote Speaking Events
✔ Leadership Retreats, High Performance Team Building Events
✔ Safety & Risk Management Events, Aviation Events
✔ Health & Wellness Summits
✔ Schools, Colleges, and Youth Programs, Graduation and Commencement Events

Testimonials

Executive Director, International Leadership Forum

"Captain Behnam’s story had our entire team on the edge of their seats. It was more than motivational—it was transformational.”

Corporate Training Coordinator

“Our team walked away empowered and deeply moved. He redefined what leadership under pressure looks like.”

HR Director, Global Airline Company

“The calm, the clarity, the humility. You don’t just hear his story—you feel it.”

Bio

Captain Christopher Behnam: Leadership, Resilience, and Excellence in Aviation

Captain Christopher Behnam is a distinguished keynote speaker, leadership and motivation coach, and expert aviator with an extraordinary career spanning 38 years. A recipient of the Superior Airmanship Award, he is best known for his heroic actions on February 13, 2018, when a catastrophic engine failure over the Pacific Ocean threatened the lives of 381 passengers. Through his exceptional skill, composure, and leadership, Captain Behnam successfully navigated the crisis, ensuring a safe landing in Honolulu.

With over 30,000 hours of flight experience piloting Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, and 777 aircraft for United Airlines, Captain Behnam has honed a rare ability to make split-second, high-stakes decisions under pressure. His firsthand experience in commanding aircraft under the most challenging circumstances provides invaluable insights into resilience, decision-making, and peak performance—lessons that apply far beyond the cockpit.

As a sought-after speaker and mentor, Captain Behnam empowers leaders, teams, and aspiring professionals to embrace confidence, discipline, and a mindset for success. His dynamic presentations blend real-world aviation experiences with powerful leadership principles, inspiring audiences to rise to their full potential.

Whether on the flight deck or the keynote stage, Captain Behnam’s passion for excellence and unwavering commitment to inspiring others make him an impactful voice in leadership and motivation worldwide.