Norwegian has announced that pioneering pilot Amy Johnson will become its second British tail fin hero, with the renowned pilot’s portrait set to appear on two Norwegian aircraft later this year.

The airline has honoured iconic figures on the tails of its aircraft, and already has more than 80 tail fin heroes featuring personalities who symbolise the spirit of Norwegian through innovation, challenging the norm, and inspiring others.

To reflect Norwegian’s rapid growth in the UK, where it now flies 4.5 million UK passengers each year to 50 destinations, the airline has now begun a series of British tail fin heroes.

Johnson will become Norwegian’s second ever British tail fin hero, following the announcement last year of ‘the world’s number one storyteller’ Roald Dahl as the first British tail fin hero.

Born in Hull in 1903, Johnson was the first female to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930, just one year after being awarded her pilot’s licence.

She flew an open cockpit single engine Gypsy Moth which she named Jason – she left Croydon Airport on the May 5th, 1930, and after 19 days and 11,000 miles arrived at Darwin, Australia.

Johnson was awarded a CBE in recognition of her towering achievement which also inspired the contemporary popular song “Amy Wonderful Amy”.

She went on to set many long distance flying records and as someone that once remarked: “I am an ordinary woman who did extraordinary things.”

Norwegian chief commercial officer, Thomas Ramdahl, said: “As Norwegian continues its rapid expansion in the UK, our ‘tail fin heroes’ offer us a perfect chance to pay tribute to some of the greatest Britons of all time.

“Amy Johnson is a giant in the history of aviation and a truly inspirational British figure so it is a huge honour to have her adorn our aircraft and help her take to the skies once more.”