Work Experience & School Programmes
Your work experience journey starts here. At British Airways, we’re here to help you explore what your future career could look like.
From online learning and live chats with our mentors to real-life experiences behind the scenes, students have plenty of ways to discover the variety of roles in aviation.
Whether you’re curious about engineering, flying, customer service or business, our programmes give you the skills, insight and inspiration to see where your career could take you.
The future of aviation is in your hands, and we're to help you take the first step.
Work Experience & Student Programmes
Student Opportunities
Work Experience
Teacher Zone
Student Opportunities
Speedbird-Z
Explore more of the world of aviation by registering on our award-winning student platform Speedbird-Z, to complete learning modules, register for upcoming events and chat to our British Airways mentors.
Golden Ticket Programme
Our Golden Ticket programme recognises the exceptional students we meet at career events. We look for positivity and a proactive attitude. Winners receive exclusive opportunities each month across a ten-month programme.
Your Flying Future
Ever considered a career in the flight deck? Join us at HQ for ‘Your Flying Future’ workshops to take part in flight planning activities and hear from our pilot guest speakers who will give you an insight into the life and role of a British Airways Pilot.
Meet the Emerging Talent Team
If you have any questions about joining us on a work experience placement or want to find out more about any of our Emerging Talent programmes, then we're on hand in regular drop-in sessions to help and would love to hear from you.
Partnerships
We work with some incredible partners, whose goals and commitments to improving social mobility and career accessibility for all students closely match our own. Each partnership is unique, and we are honoured to work with each of them.
Work Experience
Insight Days
Our Insights Days are one-day in-person experiences allowing students to gain first-hand experience of working for British Airways. The days include activities, Q&A panels, workshops, tours, guest speakers and more! These opportunities are aimed at school and college students in Year 9/S3 students and above.
Work Experience Placements
Our placements allow students to delve deep into specific areas of our business and gain an insight into behind-the-scenes activity. They are usually three to five days long and include activities, tours, employability session and project work. These opportunities are aimed at school or college students in year 10/S4 and above.
Inspire Student Ambassador
Our Inspire Student Ambassador programme invites students who have completed a Work Experience Placement at British Airways to apply for an ambassador role and further develop their confidence, work readiness and employability skills.
Teacher Zone
Partners School & Colleges
In addition to our UK wide outreach, we work closely with a number of ethnically and socially diverse schools and colleges, right on our hub’s doorstep. These partnerships enable us to invest in and support homegrown student talent, who look up and see us in the sky every day.
Inspire Ambassadors
As part of our commitment to supporting education and sparking interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, our British Airways Inspire ambassadors will be working closely with schools to deliver engaging and interactive STEM sessions for Year 7 – Year 9 students.
Invite us to your school
Would you like us to visit your students? We attend many career fairs and school events to showcase aviation to pupils and share our knowledge and insights. We’re passionate about inspiring young talent and proving that when you work for British Airways, the sky is never the limit.
Student Opportunities
Speedbird-Z
Students who use Speedbird-Z are six times more likely to receive an apprenticeship offer with us.
This award-winning platform offers live chats with British Airways' mentors, access to events, and learning modules to boost your employability and confidence.
Explore careers, complete tailored learning, apply for insight days and placements, and connect directly with our Emerging Talent team. Over 50,000 students have already signed up - join them today.
Golden Ticket
Each year, a select group of students who impress us at career events are invited to join our exclusive 10-month Golden Ticket employability programme. Participants gain access to behind-the-scenes tours, mentoring, coaching, skills workshops, and guest speaker sessions.
To connect with our team and be in with a chance of receiving a Golden Ticket, check out upcoming student events on Speedbird-Z.
Discover student events
Your Flying Future Workshop
If you're considering a career in the flight deck, join us on an upcoming Your Flying Future workshop designed for for two age groups: 14-18 year olds and 19-25 year olds. These workshops are hosted at our head office in Heathrow, and are run by our pilot community to inspire you as the next generation into a flying career. Held four times a year, our interactive workshops are 3-hours long. You will meet pilot role models, and pick up the key skills you need to become a pilot, as well as an insight into the recruitment process and more.
Register for our upcoming Your Flying Future Workshop:
Meet the Emerging Talent team
The Emerging Talent team at British Airways host regular virtual drop-in sessions where you can hop on to ask any questions you have. The drop-in session is open to all students, young people, teachers and parents and we’re here to help with any questions about work experience, recruitment, apprenticeships, graduate schemes and more.
Search for our upcoming drop-in sessions and join virtually.
Partnerships
At British Airways, we’re proud to partner with organisations that support diverse student communities and promote social mobility through education and employability programmes.
Kings Trust
We co-deliver a 3-week “Get Into Aviation” programme with The King’s Trust, offering industry insight and hands-on experience. Half of all participants have gone on to apprenticeships at British Airways.
The Early Careers Foundation
We support their two-year mentoring programme for sixth-form students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, providing career coaching and guidance.
Air League
As a long-term supporter, we contribute volunteers and funding to help young people access aviation scholarships and career opportunities.
Bright Network
We participate in events run by this careers platform connecting students and graduates with top employers. This includes their flagship Internship Experience UK.
Work Experience
Insight Days
Insight Days are a perfect introduction to British Airways for students in Year 9/S3 and above (not at university). You must have a valid UK passport.
Choose from a selection of Insight Days that suit your interest and fill out the relevant application form.
Step into the engineering hangar to see how our teams keep aircraft safe. Explore what it takes to become a pilot at our Global Learning Academy. Learn how Cabin Crew, Customer Service and Ground teams deliver outstanding customer experiences. Visit airside at Heathrow and see how we keep everything moving. Or, discover the many head office roles that help British Airways take off every day.
Top tip: Our applications open three times a year in September, January and April. If we are open for applications, you can view the opportunities here.
Work Experience Placements
After attending an Insight Day, students in Year 10/S4 or above can further their knowledge. Applications for the programme will open three times a year in September, January and April, and our placements take place throughout the school year. You must have a valid UK passport and be able to travel to Heathrow for the days of the placement.
All applications for work experience placements must complete pre-work directly through our student platform Speedbird-Z, so ensure you are signed up here: Speedbird-Z- Step 1: Explore which area of British Airways you would like to gain an insight into (do your research and speak to our mentors).
- Step 2: Read through the ‘Introduction to…’ tasks for either Engineering, Business or Airport Operations.
- Step 3: Choose one area you would like to apply for, complete the project the task sets you, and apply via the link at the end of the module that takes you to the British Airways careers website.
- Step 4: You must upload this completed project to your application.
- Step 5: We will review all applications for eligibility, and will email you the outcome of your application.
Please note, you can only apply for one programme, so choose the area you are most excited to learn more about.
Top tip: We are looking for applications that show enthusiasm towards the industry.
Inspire Student Ambassador Programme
Students who complete a British Airways Work Experience Placement are invited to apply for our Inspire Student Ambassador Programme. After a 3-day summer training course, ambassadors represent us at schools and events, gaining valuable skills and experience. Many have gone on to build successful careers at British Airways.
To apply, first complete a work experience placement. Our Emerging Talent team will contact eligible students each summer by email.
Teacher Zone
Partner Schools & Colleges
Our Inspire programme focuses on building diverse early career talent by partnering with selected local schools and colleges. Through structured engagement from KS3 to KS5 - including STEM workshops and employability sessions, we aim to raise aspirations, develop workplace skills, and improve access to aviation careers. We also support schools and colleges nationwide.
In 2025, we officially launched our British Airways Inspire Ambassador programme.
As part of our commitment to supporting education and sparking interest in STEM-related subjects; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, our ambassadors work closely with schools to deliver engaging and interactive 60-minute STEM sessions for Year 7 - Year 9 students.
If you're interested, contact inspire@ba.com with your preferred date and time, and the number of students you would be looking to run a session for.
Our Inspire volunteers visit schools and career fairs to deliver engaging talks and workshops focused on employability and careers in aviation.
Use the form below to invite us to your school, and we’ll take it from there.
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Apprentices Our full-time apprenticeships have been designed to give you the best possible start to your career in one of the most exciting industries you can work in. -
Graduates, Business Placements & Interns Our graduate programmes, business placements and summer internships offer a chance to join a dynamic and diverse team that’s playing a lead role in the future of flying.