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A Qantas Boeing 737-800 named after Jean Batten - Source: ONE News -
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Qantas is honouring famous New Zealanders with the launch of its new aircraft.
Four generations of pioneering pilot Jean Batten's family were at Auckland airport on Tuesday for the rollout of Qantas' patriotic new marketing scheme.
The trans-Tasman carrier on Monday put its new Boeing 737-800 on show, named after Batten. She made history when she single-handedly flew solo from England to Australia in the 1930s.
Qantas says the next two new aircraft in its trans-Tasman fleet, due to arrive by 2011, will be named after legendary New Zealand-born engineer Sir William Hudson, and New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield.
Qantas regional general manager for New Zealand Grant Lilly says the new aircraft will be registered and based in New Zealand and will be operated by New Zealand-based pilots and cabin crew.
"We believe it is only fitting to recognise this by naming these aircraft after three truly great New Zealanders who, in their individual fields, cemented strong links between Australia and New Zealand," he says.
Batten's nephew says his aunt would be chuffed and undoubtedly keen for a test flight.
Qantas says the aircraft will initially fly Auckland-Sydney and
Auckland-Melbourne routes.
