Is a pilot career right for you?
Understanding pilot career pathways at British Airways
The appeal of a career as a pilot goes without saying... the opportunity to travel to hundreds of destinations around the world with the best view on the plane, but the path to get there, and what the role involves, can still be complex.
For many of our colleagues, the drive to become a British Airways pilot comes from the responsibility, structure and global nature of the role for our nation’s flagship airline.
A pilot career is extremely rewarding, but it is worth considering the challenges. Before thinking about how to become a pilot, it is worth understanding what the career demands, what it offers, and the different routes to get you there.
What the role really involves
Being a pilot is not just about flying. We're proud to say, among nearly 5000 pilots at British Airways, each pilot brings their own, original personality and identity.
At British Airways, the role centres on:
- making safety-critical decisions in a fast-changing environment
- committing to ongoing training and development to operate complex systems and procedures
- communicating closely with colleagues in the flight deck and teams across the operation
- maintaining performance over long and varied schedules.
Different starting points
Most British Airways pilot pathways fall into four routes depending on your flying experience, from cadet to direct entry, and captain.
Just starting out
Candidates who begin with little or no flying experience follow a structured training programme, either self-funded or through our fully funded pilot scheme.
Building experience
With some flying experience and the required qualifications, you can directly join our mainline for short haul or long haul flying.
Experienced entry
For those already qualified with in Command experience, you could join as Captain to lead short haul flying across the UK and Europe.
Progression and opportunity
A pilot career develops gradually. Pilots at British Airways hold one of four ranks: Second Officer, First Officer, Senior First Officer, Captain.
Experience is built through:
- flying hours
- different aircraft types
- exposure to varied routes and operating conditions.
Progression is structured, with increasing responsibility over time, supported by ongoing training and assessment throughout a pilot’s career. A career at British Airways offers variety and unparalleled opportunity. Time to Captain will vary, with time to long-haul command opportunities taking around 16-18 years of experience.
British Airways pilots also can join our management and training teams which offers even more variety to your working life. Training pilot positions are available for First Officers, Senior First Officers and Captains. Management positions are often available to all pilots and follow a rigorous merit-based selection process.
Understanding the different routes into piloting, and what the role involves day-to-day, can help you decide whether this career is the right fit for you. Explore our pilot roles to learn more about the pathways available at British Airways.