Honouring Jazz Aviation Pilots Capt. Antoine Forest and F/O MacKenzie Gunther

Wings of Remembrance

The loss of a pilot on the line is a significant tragedy for any pilot group. To lose two young aviators in the early stages of their promising careers is a loss felt across the entire industry. At 30 and 24 years old, respectively, Capt. Antoine Forest and F/O MacKenzie Gunther represented the future of the profession and the joie de vivre of the Jazz Aviation pilot group.

On Sunday, March 22, Jazz Flight AC8646, operating as Air Canada Express, was involved in a fatal runway collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. While the passengers and cabin crew survived, the aviation community lost two pilots who embodied the core values of their craft.

Capt. Antoine Forest

For Antoine, the sky captivated him during his childhood travels and became his second home by age 16. A native of Coteau-du-Lac, Québec, he honed his skills in the demanding world of bush piloting throughout the rugged regions of northern Québec. Antoine flew tourists for Air Saguenay and operated charter flights for ExactAir, in addition to serving as an aerial coordinator pilot for Quebec’s Société de protection des forêts contre le feu to monitor wildfires.

Those who trained with Antoine at the Centre Québécois de Formation Aéronautique remember a student who was as technically meticulous as he was kind. Adventurous, open-minded, and mischievous, with a natural ability to adapt, he was always ready to lend a hand, both as a friend and a colleague. Known for a constant smile that could put any passenger at ease, Antoine was described by mentors as “resourceful, genuine, and perfectly suited for aviation.”

Whether navigating a floatplane onto a remote lake or commanding a jet into a major hub, he remained a pilot who respected the wind, the mechanics of his craft, and the standards of his profession. Antoine was hired by Jazz in December 2022, finally realizing one of his many dreams of flying for a major carrier.

F/O MacKenzie Gunther

MacKenzie hailed from Ottawa, Ontario, and was a standout graduate of Seneca Polytechnic, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in aviation technology in 2023 with honours. To gain a real-world look at the industry, he spent a summer working as a ramp lead at Porter Airlines, a role that gave him invaluable insight as he prepared to become a professional airline pilot. MacKenzie made his seamless transition onto the flight deck through the Jazz Aviation Pathways Program, joining the Montréal, Québec, base in April 2024.

Though his time at Jazz was brief, his career path showed promise and dedication. MacKenzie earned the respect of his peers through technical proficiency and the quiet confidence he brought to the right seat. He proved himself to be eager to learn, devoted to his colleagues, and deeply proud to wear the wings of a commercial pilot.

The Final Journey Home

On Thursday, March 26, four days after the accident, the remains of both pilots were repatriated to Canada. Hundreds of uniformed pilots gathered at airports in Newark, New Jersey; Ottawa; and Montréal to pay their respects to Capt. Forest and F/O Gunther on their final flights home.

In the rain at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, pilots gathered to form a “sea of blue.” By the time the procession arrived, they were standing together in the glow of Air Canada lights with flags already at half-mast.

“This is how we pay our respects to our fallen airline pilot colleagues,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA’s president. “The loss of Antoine and MacKenzie is a wound felt across the Association and across borders. We honour them by turning our grief into action, fighting for the changes and safety enhancements that ensure no other family has to endure this pain.”

“No family should ever have to go through this sort of tragedy,” remarked Capt. Tim Perry, ALPA Canada president. “In Canada, we operate under a sacred, unspoken promise: that when a pilot leaves home for the flight deck, they can return to their loved ones. When that promise is broken, it shakes the foundation of our community. We stand with the Forest and Gunther families not just in mourning, but in a tireless commitment to redouble our efforts. We’ll make the skies safer in their names, ensuring that their legacy is found in every safe landing we make from this day forward.”

Though their lives were tragically cut short, Capt. Forest and F/O Gunther leave behind legacies of courage and excellence. ALPA is now focused on supporting the Forest and Gunther families and ensuring that the lessons learned from this tragedy help protect every crewmember who follows.