When you hear “Boeing Boy,” you probably think of thrilling cockpit views, candid vlogs, and inspiring aviation stories. But behind this popular YouTube and Instagram persona is Captain Tapesh Kumar, a commercial pilot who went from being an underconfident teen to becoming the youngest captain in the world at just 25.
Today, Tapesh isn’t just flying aircraft; he’s flying past stereotypes, sharing his journey openly, and mentoring India’s next generation of pilots.
Born on December 26, 1992, in Haryana, Tapesh grew up in a middle-class family where aviation was always around him; his father worked in aviation maintenance with Jet Airways, while his mother managed the home.
Like many Indian kids, Tapesh first tried to pursue the “safe” engineering route. He made multiple attempts to crack the IIT entrance exams but soon realised it wasn’t his path.
On March 17, 2011, he finally confessed his true dream to his parents; he wanted to fly. Despite the high cost of pilot training, his parents supported him wholeheartedly, believing in his passion even when the odds were stacked against him.
In 2018, at just 25 years old, Tapesh made history by becoming the youngest captain in the world, flying Boeing 737s and later Airbus A320s.
His first command with Jet Airways was a turning point, and when the airline shut down, he continued his journey with AirAsia as an A320 captain.
From being a shy boy with self-doubt to confidently commanding the cockpit, Tapesh credits his YouTube journey for helping him grow as a professional and as a person.
Boeing Boy’s YouTube channel, launched in 2020, has quickly grown past 500K subscribers by 2025 thanks to honest videos about aviation careers, pilot salary myths, travel stories, and even India’s best flying schools.
The channel presents “cockpit stories,” detailed travelogues, flight layovers, aircraft tech, and fun vlogs featuring his car collection.
He has interviewed famous pilots, offered training tips, and shown the realities and pressures of a pilot’s work, which has made the channel particularly valuable for aviation aspirants.
Tapesh’s story is also about partnership. He is married to Captain Prachi Goswami, a commercial pilot and former national swimmer. Together, the couple, fondly called “Tapchi”, share their life on YouTube, openly discussing their marriage, travels, and the challenges of being pilots.
Their relationship, highlighted in TEDx talks and interviews, has made them role models for young couples and for women entering aviation.
Outside of the cockpit and YouTube, Tapesh is also a speaker, motivator, and aviation consultant. What sets him apart is his authenticity; he openly talks about his failures, struggles, and the hard realities of chasing dreams.
His journey has inspired thousands of young Indians to pursue aviation or follow unconventional career paths. From a hesitant boy in Haryana to commanding a jetliner and running one of India’s most impactful aviation channels, Captain Tapesh Kumar has proved that resilience and clarity of purpose can take you higher than the sky itself.
