At a Glance
- Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger landed Flight 1549 on the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, saving all 155 people on board
- He retired from commercial flying in 2010 and became a global keynote speaker on aviation safety
- The Airbus A320 stayed afloat long enough for evacuation, partly due to partially empty fuel tanks
- Why it matters: Sully transformed a crisis into a lifelong mission for safer skies
Sixteen years after the “Miracle on the Hudson,” Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger still measures his life in two timelines: the birthdays that fill January and the extraordinary day that landed in the middle of them. The former US Airways pilot, who saved every soul aboard Flight 1549, now spends his time far from the cockpit, advocating for aviation safety and cherishing a new role as a grandfather.
The Day That Changed Everything
On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger was at the controls of an Airbus A320 departing LaGuardia Airport. Within minutes, a flock of geese struck both engines, eliminating thrust and forcing an unprecedented water landing.
Passenger Brad Wentzell had a clear view from his seat.
“I had a perfect view of that left engine where I was sitting, and it was on fire. It was sparks coming out, flames coming out,” he told News Of Los Angeles in January 2024. “You just knew something was wrong.”
Air traffic control offered LaGuardia or nearby Teterboro Airport as alternatives. Sullenberger’s reply became aviation lore.
“We can’t do it,” he said on the recording. “We’re gonna be in the Hudson.”
The crew instructed 155 passengers to brace for impact. The touchdown was flawless; everyone survived.
“My definition of success for that flight was complete, absolute: had even one person perished, I would’ve considered it a tragic failure,” Sullenberger told News Of Los Angeles. “I couldn’t have celebrated any of this.”
Why the Plane Stayed Afloat
The aircraft did sink-just not immediately. The initial impact ruptured the fuselage, allowing water to enter, but partially empty fuel tanks provided temporary buoyancy. Rescue boats reached the scene quickly, giving passengers and crew time to evacuate.
The Airbus was recovered days later and displayed at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina, starting in 2011. In 2024, the museum was renamed the Sullenberger Aviation Museum.
Return to the Cockpit-Then Retirement
Eight months after the Hudson landing, Sullenberger returned to scheduled flying on October 1, 2009. He logged a limited number of flights before retiring from commercial aviation in 2010.
He stayed connected to the industry through US Airways’ flight operations safety management team and continued to fly privately, according to his LinkedIn profile.
A Second Career in the Spotlight
Retirement opened an unexpected path: public speaking. Sullenberger signed with The Harry Walker Agency in 2010 and has since delivered keynote addresses on aviation safety, crisis management, and leadership worldwide.
“I have a richer, fuller life than I did before,” he told News Of Los Angeles. “I’m doing things professionally as a keynote speaker that I never anticipated. I never thought I’d be good at it.”
He reflected on the irony of his new role.
“I was never one who sought the limelight or wanted to be the life of the party, or [was] comfortable talking in front of big groups, and now it’s amazing what you can learn to do and become good at.”
Books and Big Screen
Sullenberger authored two books, including the New York Times bestseller Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters. The memoir formed the basis for the 2016 Clint Eastwood film Sully, starring Tom Hanks.
Diplomatic Service
From December 2021 to July 2022, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations specialized agency. The appointment, reported by CNBC, extended his safety advocacy to the global stage.
Family Life in San Francisco
Sullenberger and his wife Lorrie have lived in San Francisco since 1989. They have two daughters and welcomed their first grandchild in 2024.
In a November 2025 Instagram post, he wrote, “When the newest Sullenberger arrived and I looked into her eyes, I saw the next generation, which gave me joy, hope, gratitude, and a glimpse into the future. And for her, I want to leave the world better than I found it.”
Annual Reflection
Each January, personal milestones and professional history converge for the Sullenberger family.
“In our household, January has always been full,” he wrote in a January 2026 Facebook post. “It brings the birthdays of our two daughters and then, much to Lorrie’s chagrin, my own. In 2009, the landing on the Hudson River quite literally landed in the middle of all of that.”
He added, “Those personal moments and that extraordinary day now arrive together each year. One looks ahead to what is to come, the other looks back at a day that tested everything I knew and everything I was prepared to do.”
Key Takeaways
- January 15, 2009: Flight 1549 bird strike, Hudson River landing, zero fatalities
- October 1, 2009: Sullenberger’s first flight back, limited schedule through 2010 retirement
- Post-retirement: Keynote speaker, author, diplomat, museum namesake, grandfather
- Legacy: Transformed a potential tragedy into a lifelong commitment to safer aviation
