British top gun breaks the age barrier at 26

A 26-year-old woman in the UK is believed to have become the world’s youngest ever commercial airline captain, British media has reported.

Kate McWilliams, with budget carrier easyJet, is based at London’s Gatwick Airport.

She began flying at the age of 13 in the air cadets before embarking on a training programme at CTC Aviation in Southampton on her 19th birthday.

She first became interested in planes after attending an air show at age four.

The British carrier, easyJet believes Ms McWilliams has become the world’s youngest commercial airline captain — with 19-year-old co-pilot Elsworth also one of the country’s youngest co-pilots.

Ms McWilliams said she gets quizzed about her age by cabin crew and passengers almost every day. “I am asked how old I am on an almost daily basis...Usually, that question comes from the cabin crew but sometimes passengers ask too. When I tell them I’m 26, most people are impressed with my achievement at such a young age,” she said.

McWilliams joined easyJet in May 2011, as a first officer and recently took up the rank of captain after passing the airline’s command course.