EasyJet takes to the skies with all-female flight on International Women's Day

The flight was captained by Kate McWilliams, 27, the worlds youngest female commercial captain and co-piloted by first officer Sue Barrett, cabin manager Laura Marks supported by three female cabin crew; Natasha Baker, Charlotte Carr and Nuria Belda Marco. Picture: EasyJet

In celebration of International Women's Day easyJet took to the skies this morning with an all-female flight.

The special flight left Gatwick Airport this morning (March 8) at 7.35am and headed to Madrid with a female captain, first officer and four febale cabin crew.

The budget airline’s A320 aircraft was also picked for the trip, which was named after renowned female aviator Amy Johnson.

Staff in the airport helping passengers board the plane were also female.

Captain Kate McWilliams, 27, is the world’s youngest female commercial captain.

Before departing she said: “International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the achievements of women so we thought this all female flight would be a very fitting way to celebrate the achievements of the many women working in the aviation industry.

“There are more than 15 women who are making this flight possible today in positions from pilots and crew to gate agents and fuelers.

“This year’s IWD theme is #BeBoldForChange to help forge a better working world which is more inclusive and gender equal. This year easyJet has set an ambitious target of increasing the proportion of its female pilots aiming for 20 per cent of new intake pilots by 2020.

“The aviation industry is exciting and challenging and I firmly believe that there should be absolutely nothing to stop women from entering into a career in aviation.”

Around 12 per cent of Gatwick’s airfield team are women and Hayley Richardson, airfield operations controller, was on hand to help guide the aircraft on the tarmac, an easyJet spokesman said.

She said: “Working on Gatwick’s airfield is an exciting and rewarding job. For obvious reasons our team has to maintain the highest professional standards and I really enjoy the responsibility.