The Warrington teenager holds a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence and is the youngest airline pilot currently working in the UK, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) records.
Elsworth, who is also one of the youngest pilots in UK history, enrolled on the airline’s training programme in Southampton – just nine days after turning 18.
He completed the course, which included six months training on flight simulators and a period of practical light aircraft flying in Arizona, in 18 months.
He is now qualified to operate Airbus A319 and A320 planes and will be based at Gatwick.
Asked if he felt that somebody his age should be able to fly passenger jets, Elsworth told reporters: “I don’t see why not. I really want to encourage more younger people to get into it.”
He added that he had no regrets about taking on such a high-responsibility job at such a young age: “Maybe I sacrificed going to university,” he said. “On your days off you might not be going to the pub and drinking loads, but you can still go out and have fun.
“It’s not as if you’re constrained to being inside all day revising. You do get the opportunity to relax. I don’t feel like I’m missing out.”
His father, Paul Elsworth, 52, who is also a captain for the airline, joked: “I do think it’s a bit mental that a 19-year-old is in charge of a £33million aircraft.
“But as Luke would say, Marcus Rashford is only 19 and he plays for England so if you’re good enough, you’re old enough and I agree.
“Luke has worked really hard. I have as much confidence in Luke flying as I have myself and I’ve been doing this for 32 years,” he added.
