Shackleton’s iconic visage debuted this month aboard one of the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
Born in 1874, Shackleton led three British expeditions to the Antarctic, with his 1914-16 Endurance expedition perhaps the most renowned.
Shackleton and co had planned to cross the barren continent via the South Pole. However, their ship, Endurance, became trapped in the ice and sank some 10 months later.
Together with the crew, Shackleton abandoned ship and eked out an existence on the floating ice.
In April 1916, six members of the crew set off in three small ships for Elephant Island, including Shackleton himself and Irish explorer Tom Crean, who was Norwegian’s first tail fin hero.
The team spent 16 days navigating 1,300km of freezing ocean to reach South Georgia where they were able to raise the alarm. All 28 members of Shackleton’s crew survived the ordeal.
Thomas Ramdahl, Norwegian’s chief commercial officer, said: “Our tail fin heroes offer us a perfect chance to pay tribute to some of the greatest Britons of all time.
“Sir Ernest Shackleton has inspired generations and we are very happy to have one of the greatest explorers of all time adorn our aircraft.”
Alexandra Shackleton, the explorer’s granddaughter, added: “There were strong ties of respect and affection between him and Norway, personified by his relationship with [fellow explorers] Nansen and Amundsen.
“Grandfather’s Ship Endurance was also built in Sandefjord, Norway. I am delighted Norwegian have chosen to honour him this way and that the Shackleton legacy will continue.”
The airline’s tail fin series highlights personalities who “symbolise the spirit” of Norwegian by pushing boundaries, inspiring others and challenging the norm.
Shackleton is its seventh after Crean and the likes of poet Robert Burns, author Jane Austin and pilot Amy Johnson.
