LONDON- The flag carrier of the UK, British Airways (BA) is the largest full-service airline in the UK based on passengers flown and fleet size and it pays better salary to its pilots.
BA, who are run by the International Airlines Group (IAG), completed 50 years in March 2024 and remains one of the world’s most popular airlines that serves every inhabited continent.
British Airways Pilot Salary
British Airways currently has employed approximately 4,000 pilots who are tasked with ensuring smooth operations in and out of its main bases in London, Gatwick, and Heathrow.
British Airways pays its pilots a base salary and additional pay depending on the hours that they have flown for. This is typically in line with the industry standard around the world.
A fresher piloting at BA can expect to be paid approximately £65,000 annually. This amount is generally the starting point for every graduate out of a flying school, though first officer salaries are reasonably higher and range between £100,000 and £120,000.
The disparity in salary among first officers is caused by a number of factors, particularly those like achievements with the airline, experience and seniority, and flying hours.
Captains, meanwhile, are paid up to £167,000 per year. There is a significant variance in this category as well dependent on the types of aircraft they fly and destinations their rosters take them to.
Other Perks Enjoyed by British Airways Pilots
British Airways pilots enjoy a retirement age of 65%. There has been no mandatory pension scheme since the airline’s merger with Iberia (IB) in 2011, which subsequently gave rise to the IAG.
However, there is an optional pension scheme which is a combination of compensation in which the employer contributes 2% and the employee adds between 7% and 15% of his or her base salary.
BA pilots, unlike those working for some other airlines, are not eligible for free tickets for themselves and their families but last-minute bookings can be made at a 90% discount, whereas flight tickets purchased with their own flexibility carry a 10% discount.
Upgrades to the higher classes are also reasonably common while those enticed by the nitty-gritty of the aviation world can occasionally fly short-haul routes in the cockpit’s jump seat too.
The British Airways pilots have a powerful union as well which allows them a very respectable amount of bargaining power in rostering. There are formal agreements in place, which mean leave requests are rarely denied and schedules are not changed at short notice too often.
What aircraft do BA pilots fly?
British Airways operates a fleet of Airbus narrow-bodies, A350-1000s and A380s. Their Boeing aircraft are all wide-bodies.
Here is a full breakdown of their current fleet.
- Airbus A319-100 – 19
- Airbus A320-200 – 53
- Airbus A320neo – 26
- Airbus A321neo – 15
- Airbus A350-1000 – 18
- Airbus A380-800 – 12
- Boeing 777-200ER – 43
- Boeing 777-300ER – 16
- Boeing 787-8 – 12
- Boeing 787-9 – 18
- Boeing 787-10 – 11
Aircraft on order:
- 7 Airbus A320neos
- 5 Airbus A321neos
- 18 Boeing 777-9s
- 7 Boeing 787-10s
Is British Airways currently hiring pilots?
British Airways is currently hiring first officers for its A320s, 777s, and Dreamliners. Those operating the A320s will have the option to become captains on the short-haul fleet or transition to the wide-body planes after a few years.
Meanwhile, Boeing 777 pilots will also fly at 777X once it enters service. There are also vacancies within the airline’s two regional subsidiaries, BA CityFlyer and BA EuroFlyer.
How to become a British Airways pilot?
A direct-entry pilot at British Airways has to fulfill the following criteria:
- Current UK-issued CAA Flight Crew Licence ATPL (A), fATPL (A), MPL or hold an EASA license and meet the “Third Country CPL and ATPL license 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 the 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 the expiry date)
Thereafter, the airline follows a six-step process which is as below:
- ONLINE APPLICATION – The online application sees pilots desiring to fly for British Airways submit their resume on the airline’s careers portal. There may also be a series of questions that are asked to assess suitability before an interview.
- TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT – British Airways checks a candidate’s ability to work under pressure in this step of their hiring process. Their reactions to computer-based tests are ascertained to determine the outcome of their candidature for the next round.
- GROUP EXERCISE – In this process, BA seeks to identify how the concerned applicant performs in a group setting similar to how a day-to-day pilot would work. A person’s skill sets in a team are put to the test here.
- INTERVIEW – The hiring manager gets to know the aspirant by asking a series of questions relevant to the role and life outside the cockpit. These responses determine whether the pilot is qualified enough to be tested in the more decisive rounds of the process.
- SIMULATOR TESTING – A pilot’s skills are tested on the airline’s simulator, which currently has the background of an Airbus A380. Once this test is passed, an offer is made with the start date decided shortly thereafter.
- PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS – This is the final step in British Airways’ hiring process. Pre-employment checks are conducted and criminal records are verified, following which a substance test, uniform fitting, and security interview are held. Afterward, the pilot is cleared to fly for British Airways.
Rewards and benefits of British Airways pilots
British Airways pilots are entitled to the following non-monetary benefits.
- SALARY AND ANNUAL LEAVE – British Airways pilots receive a competent salary package and paid leave. There are also various parental leave options, while those returning can work reduced hours without compromising on their payment for the first six months.
- STAFF TRAVEL – Pilots and their nominees are entitled to attractive standby and premium (business class) cabin fares from their first day with the airline. After six months in their jobs, they can avail of an Annual Bookable Concession (upgrades to first class).
- PENSION – BA offers an optional pension contribution to its employees, where they pay 7% and the employee contributes 2%. There is an option to increase this amount subject to a mutual agreement between the two parties.
- FLEXIBLE BENEFITS – British Airways pilots are offered attractive policies like childcare vouchers, illness cover, medical insurance, life insurance, cycle to work, dental plan, and healthcare cash plan.
- ELECTRIC CAR SCHEME – After 12 months in their role, British Airways pilots can apply for an electric car fully taken care of by the carrier. This is done through a salary sacrifice, which also works well as a tax benefit for most employees.
Pilot Salaries at Other Airlines in the UK
British Airways’ only full-service rival and long-haul competitor in the UK is Virgin Atlantic (VS). Richard Branson’s carrier is significantly smaller, however, with a fleet of only 44 planes and service to 32 international destinations from London-Gatwick, London Heathrow, and Manchester.
A second officer and first officer at Virgin earn between £66,000 and £94,000 per year depending on experience and flying hours. Senior first officers have base salaries worth £77,000 annually and commonly hit £105,000 after completing their flying hours.
Captains at VS are paid between £126,000 and £160,000 with the same factors as SFOs coming into consideration.
EasyJet (U2) pays its pilots very well despite being a low-cost carrier. First officers earn between £40,000 and £75,000, while captains usually have a base salary starting at £115,000 that can go up to £130,000 after a few years at the airline. The average salary of Jet2 pilots is £69,000.
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