November 29, 1985 An all female crew, led by Captain Saudamini Deshmukh, flew an Indian Airlines Fokker F-25 Friendship. It was the first time the popular plane, introduced in 1955, had been flown and attended exclusively by women. Deshmukh is credited with many other “firsts” including first to captain an all woman Airbus crew and first woman Deputy General Manager of Air India.