Airline may name jet after pilot killed in avalanche
EasyJet wants to name one of its planes after its pilot James Whalley who died in an avalanche while skiing in France.
Bosses are in talks with his family about the tribute to Mr Whalley, 32, who died last week with three other skiers when they were hit by a 300ft-wide wall of ice and snow in Val d'Isère.
Colleagues have been lobbying bosses to honour the "hugely popular" pilot. Bambos Antoniou, 24, a cabin crew member who had flown with Mr Whalley many times, said: "We've recently been running a competition for someone to get their name on, but we all now think it would be right if it could be named after James."
On Facebook, colleague Sue Barrett said the tribute would mean "he can still fly every day".
Mr Whalley, who lived in Hove, was one of easyJet's youngest captains and had been with the company since 2004. An extreme sports enthusiast, he had travelled on January 4 to Val d'Isère, where he had a home, intending to spend two months there.
An easyJet spokesman confirmed the airline was in discussions to have a plane named after the captain. He said: "We think it's a lovely idea, and are discussing this with his family. It would be a fitting memorial to James."
