Frontier Airlines Names Plane in Honor of Aviation Pioneer Maria Della Posta
Frontier's second Airbus A321neo has been named 'Maria the Bald Eagle' after the president of Pratt & Whitney, which manufactured the plane's efficient engines
Photo: Courtesy of Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines has unveiled a brand-new livery featuring ‘Maria the Bald Eagle’ in honor of Maria Della Posta, a respected pioneer in sustainable aviation. The Denver-based airline’s second Airbus A321neo features the image of a bald eagle on its tail, with the rest of the scheme painted in Frontier’s traditional green and white design.
Maria Della Posta, whom ‘Maria the Bald Eagle’ is named after, is the President of Pratt & Whitney Canada. She joined the company in 1985 and has held leadership roles across various departments. Over the following decades, Della Posta worked to the top of the firm, becoming President in 2019. She is now regarded as an inspiring role model for young women wanting to enter the aviation industry.
“Frontier and Pratt & Whitney share a common mission towards evermore sustainable aviation,” said Maria Della Posta. “At Prat & Whitney, we seek not just to be the best engine supplier in the world, but also the best for the world.
Photo: Courtesy of Frontier Airlines
“I’m honored to represent the people of Pratt & Whitney, and I’d like to thank them and the thousands of Frontier employees who are doing their part to move aviation toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”
Frontier Airlines has recently strived to be recognized as a sustainable carrier, with its CEO, Barry Biffle, claiming it will be ‘America’s greenest airline.’ Frontier has been partnered with Pratt & Whitney since 1994, with its first aircraft, a Boeing 737-200, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
Its entire fleet of Airbus A320neos is also powered by Pratt & Whitney engines, while its first Airbus A321neo was named ‘Frederick the Bald Eagle’ in honor of Pratt & Whitney’s founder, Frederick B. Rentschler.
Photo: Courtesy of Frontier Airlines
“Frontier is proud to take delivery of our second A321neo, powered by Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engines,” said Barry Biffle, President and CEO of Frontier Airlines. “As America’s Greenest Airline, these revolutionary engines are helping us to achieve our very important sustainability goals.”
“We also commend Pratt & Whitney employees for honoring a groundbreaking female leader through their aircraft naming choice and for recognizing the importance of shining a light on women trailblazers in aviation.”
The Airbus A321neo is regarded as one of the most fuel-efficient planes in the sky, and this particular aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. Pratt & Whitney is an aircraft engine manufacturer based in Connecticut and is widely recognized as an industry leader in sustainable aviation technology.
