Explore Pilot careers at British Airways
Direct Entry Pilot
Experienced Pilot with 500–1,500+ hours. Fly short haul A320 or long haul Airbus and Boeing aircraft from Heathrow or Gatwick.
Direct Entry Captain
Experienced Captains with 3,000+ hours and recent Pilot in Command experience. Lead short haul flying with BA Cityflyer or Euroflyer across the UK and Europe.
Aspiration for Command
Experienced First Officers with 2,500+ hours ready for command. A structured pathway to Captain roles with support and fast‑track progression.
Future Pilots
For aspiring and low hour pilots starting their journey. Explore self-funded training, partner flight schools and our fully funded Speedbird Pilot Academy scheme.
Take your career to new heights
British Airways Pilots
As a British Airways pilot, you’ll be dedicated to giving customers the best possible experience on every flight. You’ll be part of a dynamic and diverse flight crew working across an ever-expanding network of both long-haul and short-haul routes, and take control of some of our newest aircraft.
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BA Cityflyer Pilots
Flying from London City Airport onboard the Embraer E190 aircraft, you’ll travel to some of the most popular European and domestic short-haul destinations, including Barcelona, Berlin, Milan, and Edinburgh. With around 200 Captains and First Officers operating at London City, it’s a great place to get to know your British Airways colleagues.
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BA Euroflyer Pilots
Based at Gatwick Airport, BA Euroflyer is the newest airline within the British Airways family. Launched in 2022, our fleet of A320 and A321 aircraft is growing, with routes to around 30 destinations across Europe. BA Euroflyer pilots will automatically join the British Airways master seniority list.
Learn moreMeet our pilot recruitment team
Join one of our virtual drop-ins to hear directly from our Pilot recruitment team, an ideal space to ask questions so you understand what to expect before you apply. Choose a session that matches your experience and pathway by registering on the link below.
Rewards & Benefits
Salary and annual leave
Staff travel
Pension
Flexible benefits
Choose from benefits including critical illness cover, childcare vouchers, cycle to work, additional life insurance cover, private medical insurance, dental plan, and healthcare cash plan.
Electric car scheme
Golden Days
In addition to your holiday allowance, our pilots get access to protected days. These days provide extra flexibility, ensuring you never miss life’s special moments.
Inspired to fly
Our incredible, diverse team of pilots are driven by passion. Find out what it means to embark on a career in the skies with British Airways.
How to become a Pilot
Online application:
You’ll be asked about your motivation to join British Airways. Once you've done that, we may ask you to record answers to a series of interview questions so we can find out a bit more about you.
Technical assessment:
This is where we assess your ability to work under pressure and how you react to increasing workload with a computer-based test.
Group exercise:
Here’s your chance to show us how well you work in a team, using a scenario you may face in your day-to-day role as a pilot with British Airways.
Interview:
The moment where we can get to know each other, and for you to demonstrate you have what it takes to become a British Airways pilot.
Simulator:
An assessment of your performance in the flight simulator, currently the A380. You’ll then be put into a holding pool pending an offer of a start date.
Pre-employment checks:
We’ll conduct pre-employment and security checks; these include Criminal Record Checks (CRC) and full five-year employment checks. You’ll also be asked to share your medical forms and book your uniform fitting, security interview, and psychoactive substance test at our Waterside HQ.
Pilot entry requirements
Pilot entry requirements
Minimum hours and aircraft experience required can differ, as outlined in each vacancy. Core requirements include but are not limited to:
- A valid UK CAA or EASA flight crew licence (ATPL, CPL or equivalent, depending on role)
- UK Part-FCL licence (ATPL(A) or meet the hours requirements to obtain an ATPL(A)****)
- Current EASA/ICAO ATPL(A) (or meet the hours requirements to obtain an ATPL(A)) and meet the “Third Country ATPL licence conversion requirements” set out by the UK CAA (link to CAA website listed below)
- A valid UK CAA Class 1 medical
- A valid passport with 12 months remaining
- The right to live and work in the UK
- Height between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”)
- ICAO English Language Proficiency (minimum level 6)
British Airways Pilot schemes
There are many ways to become a British Airways pilot. Whether you’ve got thousands of hours flying under your belt, you’re newly qualified and looking to begin a career with British Airways, or if you’re right at the start of your journey, we’re ready to welcome you to the family.
Future Pilots
Thinking about becoming a pilot? We want to attract the best future flying talent. Our Speedbird Pilot Academy provides funding for a select number of successful places per year at an approved flight training school to help people realise their ambition of flying with British Airways.
Military Scheme
Our Direct Entry Pilot Scheme is an exciting career pathway for qualified Service Pilots from the Army Air Corps, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines and Royal Navy who have completed their minimum service. You’ll be flying to exacting standards in one of the world’s most modern fleets.