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 (Long Haul Fleets)
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.
Job offers will be predominantly made for the A320 and Boeing 777 (777 pilots operate out of LHR and LGW*; 777 pilots will also operate the Boeing 777X when it enters service). A limited number of vacancies exist on other fleets, with preference given to those that hold a current rating on the aircraft type. Moves to other fleets will be processed via the internal fleet move system and awarded on a seniority basis.
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.
*Hotel accommodation can be requested and will be provided for 777 LGW flights on the day before duty and a day room after landing, if the flight duty period is over 8 hours and is not a positioning sector.
Minimum Criteria To Apply:
Hold a UK Part-FCL ATPL (or meet the criteria to upgrade to an ATPL during your type rating)
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).
Third Country CPL and ATPL licence conversion requirements from 1 January 2023 | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)
To be considered for BA Euroflyer, at the time of submitting your online application you must have a minimum of 500 hours or 100 sectors on an aircraft type that satisfies ZFTT (if you are not A320 rated) OR an A320 type rating with a minimum of 100 sectors but less than 500 hours on type and flown this type in the last 12 months.
To be considered for British Airways short-haul, at the time of submitting your online application you must have a minimum 500 hours on the A320 and flown this type in the last 12 months.
To be considered for a long-haul position, at the time of submitting your online application you must have more than 1500 hours on an aircraft type that satisfies ZFTT and flown this type in the last 12 months.
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)
- Unlimited 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, dental and critical illness 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
