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Every 90 seconds, a British Airways aircraft takes off from somewhere around the globe.

Our pilots take millions of customers to hundreds of amazing destinations every year – getting front row seats to the most inspiring views with every take-off and landing.

Our Captains and First Officers are quite literally driving change, too. That’s because when they take to the skies, they’re doing it in one of the most technologically-advanced and fuel-efficient fleets of any airline in the world.

Take your career to new heights

Two Pilots side by side in uniform laughing

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.

Click here to view entry requirements
Torso of Pilot wearing uniform clutching Pilot hat under their arm

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.

Click here to view entry requirements
Two Pilots smiling and walking side by side into Heathrow Terminal 5

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.

Click here to view entry requirements

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.

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Future Pilots

Thinking about becoming a pilot? We want to attract the best future flying talent. Our newly launched Speedbird Pilot Academy is funding up to 60 places per year at an approved flight training school to help people realise their ambition of flying with British Airways.

Learn more

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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.

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Speak to our Pilot Recruitment team

Have you got a question about becoming a British Airways Pilot? Join our Zoom calls to find out more. Choose a call that meets your experience and pathway by registering on the link below.

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How to become a Pilot

Pilot online application

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

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

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

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.

Flight simulator

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

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.

Inspired to fly

Our incredible and diverse team of pilots are driven by passion. Find out what it means to embark on a career in the skies with British Airways.

Rewards & Benefits

Salary and annual leave

Salary and annual leave

You’ll receive a market-competitive salary and paid annual leave. As well as parental, co-parental and shared-parental leave, we also offer all primary parents the option to return to work on a reduced hours arrangement, paid at their normal basic pay for up to six months.
Staff travel aircraft window

Staff travel

You’ll get access to discounted ‘Hotline’ tickets for yourself, friends, and family from day one, along with unlimited standby and premium standby fares for you and your nominees and an Annual Bookable Concession on completion of six months' service. 
Pension piggy bank

Pension

We offer a market-leading defined contribution (DC) pension. Enrolled at 2% employee contributions and 7% employer with an option to increase.
Flexible benefits

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

Electric car scheme

Colleagues can access a brand new, fully maintained and insured electric car for a fixed monthly amount. Available through salary sacrifice offering tax and NI savings. You’ll be eligible for this benefit after 12 months.
Heathrow Express coach

Heathrow Express

Whether you are commuting to Heathrow or heading off on holiday, you’ll be entitled to buy Express Saver tickets with a 75% discount.
Two BA pilots

Pre-employment checks

Once you have completed a New Joiner form, your pre-employment checks can begin. While they may seem time consuming, our number one priority is to maintain safety and security across the business, so these checks are essential. We’re here to guide and support you through this process, which can typically take around 16 weeks.
We understand these may appear complex, but we’re here to guide and support you through this process, which can typically take around 16 weeks.
Here are some of the main things required:
  • Full details of your five-year background history, inclusive of employment periods (directly or via an agency), educational periods and any gaps outside of these.
  • As soon as you’ve submitted your employment and referee details, we’ll start contacting your referees.
  • Closer to your start date, you’ll need to apply for a Criminal Records Check (CRC), also known as a Disclosure Baring Service certificate (DBS), and where applicable, an overseas CRC if you have lived abroad for a continuous six months or more, in the last five years.
  • You’ll be invited to book your Joint Appointment at our Waterside office, which will consist of your uniform fitting, security interview and psychoactive substance test.

Pilot entry requirements

Female Pilot focussing headshot

Direct Entry Captain for BA Euroflyer and BA Cityflyer 

  • Current UK CAA Flight Crew Licence ATPL (A) or hold an EASA licence and have previously held a UK Part-FCL licence and meet the Third Country CPL and ATPL licence conversion requirements
  • Valid UK CAA Class 1 medical
  • A valid passport with 12 months remaining
  • Height between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”)
  • ICAO level 6
  • The hours required will be advertised on each vacancy

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two pilots

Direct Entry Pilot for British Airways

    • CAA Part-FCL Licence
    • A valid passport with 12 months remaining
    • Valid UK CAA Class 1 medical
    • Height between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”)
    • ICAO level 6
    • The hours required will be advertised on each vacancy

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    Side profile of Pilot arm and captain hat in uniform

    Direct Entry Pilot for BA Euroflyer and BA Cityflyer

    • CAA Part-FCL Licence
    • A valid passport with 12 months remaining
    • Valid UK CAA Class 1 medical
    • Height between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”)
    • ICAO level 6
    • The hours required will be advertised on each vacancy

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    Don’t see what you’re looking for? Find out more

    Find out more about British Airways Pilot opportunities on our Pilot FAQs page. Learn more about what qualifications do you need to be a Pilot in the UK, various training programmes available, sponsorship, other Pilot schemes and more.

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