Nancy-Bird Walton, who learnt to fly in 1933 when she was just 17 and became the nation's first woman to be licensed as a commercial pilot, made the comment at a ceremony in her honour at Sydney Airport.

"Qantas first asked if they could name this magnificent plane after me at my 90th birthday three years ago and I made it my decision to stay alive — and I've made it," she said with a broad smile.

"It is my greatest pleasure to name this aircraft Nancy-Bird Walton."

Walton was an automatic choice when it came to naming the airline's first A380 — the world's largest passenger jet — Qantas chief Geoff Dixon told the assembled guests. "Nancy-Bird Walton, your courage, resilience and optimism represent the very best of Australia," he said.

"We are so delighted you agreed to have this plane named in your honour."

Walton flew for a medical service in outback Australia and in 1950 founded the Australian Women Pilots Association.

After the naming ceremony, she and other Qantas guests were treated to a flight up Australia's coast on the double-decker aircraft.

AFP