Job Description
PIlot Recruitment Abu Dhabi Roadshow
Meet the Pilot Recruitment Teams from British Airways (Heathrow Base) & BA Euroflyer (Gatwick Base) - in Abu Dhabi!
Join us at the Crowne Plaza, Yas Island from 15th to 18th October for an exciting opportunity to learn more about life at British Airways and BA Euroflyer — and to take the next step in your flying career.
We’ll be hosting drop-in sessions and assessment events (both AM & PM) for the following roles:
✈️ BA Euroflyer Direct Entry Captain
✈️ BA Euroflyer Aspiration for Command
✈️ British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
Whether you're ready to apply or simply want to chat with our team, we’d love to meet you.
Register your interest here: Click to Register
To attend an assessment, please ensure you’ve submitted an application in advance.
We look forward to welcoming you!
BA Euroflyer Direct Entry Captain
Take Your Career to New Heights at London Gatwick
At British Airways, we’ve been proudly connecting Britain with the world for over a century. From launching the world’s first international scheduled air service to delivering premium service across the globe, our pioneering spirit is at the heart of everything we do.
Now, at BA Euroflyer, we’re bringing that same spirit to short-haul flying from London Gatwick, serving some of Europe’s most desirable destinations—from Alicante to Marrakech, Nice to Corfu—with the trusted standards of British Airways.
As a Direct Entry Captain, you’ll be part of a dynamic, close-knit team where lifestyle balance meets career ambition. With our fixed pattern roster, you’ll return to base every evening, giving you the freedom to truly enjoy your time off. Prefer early starts or late finishes? Our bidding system and swap function let you tailor your schedule to suit your life.
What We Offer
- Starting salary of £114,000 (year 1 salary) plus circa £25,150 in allowances (based on 800 flying hours/year)
- Fully funded type rating – no bond attached
- Fixed pattern roster for genuine lifestyle balance
- 30 days annual leave, including single-use leave days for special occasions
- Up to 15% employer pension contribution (up to £17,100)
- Access to British Airways Health Services or subsidised Class 1 renewals
- A place on the British Airways master seniority list – your pathway to future opportunities
For You and Your Family
- Life Assurance up to 5x salary
- Private Health Insurance with AXA PPP
- Annual Bookable Concession tickets (after 6 months)
- Discounted travel, hotels & car hire
- Employee Assistance Programme – free support for you and your family
What We’re Looking For
- UK-issued CAA ATPL (A), fATPL (A), MPL or EASA licence meeting UK CAA conversion routes (3, 4, 5 or 6)
- 3500 hours total time on an aircraft type that satisfies ZFTT, and you must have flown this type within the last 6 months.
- 1000 hours PIC and you must have operated as PIC within the last 6 months.
- Right to live/work in the UK or ability to hold RTW visa
- ICAO English Level 6, valid passport, and Class 1 medical
Important Notes
- Reapply periods: 6 months (initial stages), 12 months (SIM stage)
- Apply to only one BA Group airline at a time
- Hold pool candidates receive up to 2 job offers
We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and inclusion across our teams.
Ready to take off with us?
Apply now and let your ambition fly.
BA Euroflyer - Aspiration for Command
Your Pathway to Command Starts Here
At British Airways, we’ve been connecting Britain with the world for over 100 years. From pioneering the world’s first international scheduled air service to delivering premium service across the globe, our legacy is built on originality, ambition, and excellence.
Now, at BA Euroflyer, we’re looking for Direct Entry Pilots who are ready to take the next step—those with the skills, energy, and leadership to become Captains.
As an experienced First Officer, you’ll join a fleet where your aspiration for command is supported by a clear pathway to promotion within c12 months (subject to vacancy and meeting required standards). You’ll be part of a team that’s helping to take our wings to new heights from our base at London Gatwick, flying to over 40 sought-after destinations across Europe and North Africa.
Why Join Euroflyer?
- Return to base every evening with our short-haul flying programme
- Fixed pattern roster offering genuine lifestyle balance
- Bidding system and swap function to tailor your schedule
- Vibrant team culture with personal connection and support
- Part of the British Airways family, with access to career development and expertise
What We Offer
- Starting salary of £78,000 plus circa £14,332 in allowances
- Command salary of £115,460 (year 2 salary) plus circa £25,148 in allowances, with annual pay uplifts
- Fully funded type rating – no bond attached
- 30 days annual leave, including single-use leave days
- Up to 15% employer pension contribution (up to £11,250 in year one, £16,500 post-upgrade)
- Access to BA Health Services or subsidised Class 1 renewals
- Place on the British Airways master seniority list – your gateway to future opportunities
Benefits for You and Your Family
- Life Assurance up to 5x salary
- Private Health Insurance with AXA PPP
- Annual Bookable Concessions (after 6 months) with business class upgrades
- Discounted travel, hotels & car hire
- Employee Assistance Programme – free support including counselling and financial advice
What We’re Looking For
- UK-issued CAA ATPL (A), fATPL (A), MPL or EASA licence meeting UK CAA conversion routes (3, 4, 5 or 6)
- Minimum 2500 hours total time (subject to factorisation) on an aircraft type that satisfies ZFTT and you must have flown this type within the last 6 months
- Right to live and work in the UK
- ICAO English Level 6, valid passport, and Class 1 medical
- Height between 1.57m and 1.91m (functionality check required if taller)
Additional Information
- Reapply periods: 6 months (initial stages), 12 months (SIM stage)
- Apply to only one BA Group airline at a time
- Successful candidates will enter a hold pool with up to 2 job offers
If you’ve previously applied to the British Airways Short Haul A320 campaign and would like to be considered for the Aspiration to Command pathway, please contact: baef.pilotrecruitment@ba.com
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and inclusion across our teams.
British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
A career without limits
As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.
This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues.
So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.
We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.
The role:
British Airways Direct Entry Pilot - First Officer
The customer is at the heart of everything that we do. Your goal will be to provide the very best flight experience possible for each passenger. Wherever you are going, your flying will be world class. The life of a commercial pilot is exciting, and you’ll be challenged every day to perform to the highest standards.
As a pilot in British Airways, your career path is never defined. Starting on our short-haul Airbus fleet you will be able to choose if you want to transfer to one of our 4 long-haul fleets or select to stay and become a captain on short-haul. Your lifestyle is important to us and with a huge variety of roles outside of flying, from training to recruiting the pilots of the future, there are countless opportunities.
Not only will you have the chance to further your career development within BA, but you’ll also have access to our competitive reward and benefits package.
What you’ll bring to British Airways:
Your experience:
- Current UK issued CAA Flight Crew Licence ATPL (A), fATPL (A), MPL or hold an EASA licence and meet the “Third Country CPL and ATPL licence conversion requirements” set out by the UK CAA (route 3, 4, 5 or 6).
- Class 1 medical
- Height between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”). Qualified pilots taller than 1.91m may submit an application but will be required to undergo a functionality check to confirm their ability to meet requirements of the searing positions in the variety of BA fleets
- Good level of physical fitness
- Spoken and written English ICAO level 6
- Valid passport (minimum 12 months before expiry date)
Pilots who currently hold an EASA licence and previously held a UK Part-FCL licence, please upload a copy of your previous UK licence or proof that you completed training in the UK and was awarded a UK licence in the supporting files section of your application.
We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity at British Airways. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. This job description aims to provide information essential to understanding the scope of the role, as well as the overall nature and level of work carried out by job holders in this position.
However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
Please note:
Candidates who were not successful at initial screening, video interview, capacity testing or assessment centre stage can reapply for the pilot recruitment campaign after 6 months from their most recent assessment date. Candidates who were not successful at the SIM stage must wait 12 months before reapplying for the pilot recruitment campaign.
You may only apply to one airline within the British Airways family (British Airways, Euroflyer, or Cityflyer) at a time. If you are unsuccessful in one campaign, you will be unable to reapply to any of the three airlines within the British Airways family until the specified re-apply period has elapsed.
Long-haul suitability will be assessed during simulator assessment. Please note, we have a limited number of long-haul positions available and therefore A320 remains our primary recruiting fleet.
Successful candidates will enter a hold pool. Candidates in the hold pool will receive a maximum of 2 job offers. If a candidate turns down their second job offer, they will exit the hold pool and be required to reapply after 12 months and complete the entire selection process again.
** If you are a current BA Cityflyer Pilot you must apply via Jobsearch **
What we offer:
We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.
From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.
At British airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.
We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.
- Dynamic Career Path
- Varied Roster Patterns (night stops, day trips and tours)
- Company pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
- Eligible for extensive British Airways worldwide staff travel
- Greater choice of 5 different fleet types (after initial freeze)
- Life insurance benefits
- Company funded conversion course/type rating (not bonded)
- Discounted airfares for your friends and family
- Discounts at selected car hire, hotels, and retail stores
- A range of voluntary benefits for yourself and family members
- Private medical cover, Technology scheme, Cycle to Work and Electric/Plug-in Hybrid car scheme
Inclusion & Diversity
We recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity, and identity to work. We encourage people from all backgrounds to be part of our journey to become a Better BA.
Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
