Germany’s national airline, Lufthansa (LH), has long been a big name in global aviation. Operating more than 250 aircraft to over 200 destinations, it’s no surprise they’re considered one of the powerhouses in Europe. Based mainly out of Frankfurt and Munich, the airline’s vast network stretches across Asia, the Americas, Africa and beyond, making it a popular choice for both passengers and pilots.
As air travel demand picks up again and pilot shortages continue across the industry, flying for a major carrier like Lufthansa has become quite appealing, both financially and professionally. Many are curious to know just how much pilots at Lufthansa earn in 2025, what benefits they receive, and what it takes to land a cockpit seat with the airline. Here’s a breakdown of all that.
Lufthansa Captain Salary
Captains at Lufthansa are the most senior pilots on board, usually with years of experience under their belt. They’re responsible for not just flying the aircraft, but also taking charge in emergencies, mentoring junior crew members, and making command decisions during the flight.
Lufthansa pays its captains quite handsomely in 2025. The salary does vary depending on how long the pilot’s been with the airline, what aircraft they’re flying, and the nature of their contract.
- Monthly salary: €12,100 – €20,900
- Annual salary: €145,000 – €251,000
- Standard hours: ~75 flying hours/month
- Bonus: 16% added to base if 75 hours are met
- Extra pay: Hourly rate for anything above the threshold
It’s worth noting that widebody captains like those operating long-haul aircraft like the 747s or A350s tend to sit at the higher end of that range, especially with international routes and longer duty times. Meanwhile, narrowbody captains on A320 family jets are slightly lower on the scale but still well-compensated.
Lufthansa First Officer Salary
First Officers are second-in-command in the cockpit, working under the captain but sharing many of the same responsibilities, especially during normal operations. At Lufthansa, the first officer role is often the stepping stone to becoming a captain, and there’s a structured pathway for that.
In 2025, First Officers at Lufthansa earn the following:
- Monthly salary: €6,100 – €12,600
- Annual salary: €73,000 – €151,000
- Flying hours: ~75 per month on average
- Bonus: 16% added if 75-hour target met
- Overtime: Paid per hour above standard
A junior first officer on a short-haul fleet might start at the lower end of this scale, but with time and type-rating upgrades, they can move up the salary ladder quite quickly. Some even make the jump to long-haul within 3–5 years, which comes with higher pay and longer layovers.
Lufthansa Second Officer Salary
Lufthansa does occasionally employ second officers or cruise relief pilots, particularly for longer intercontinental flights. These individuals are often relatively new in their flying career or part of the cadet training programmes run in-house or via Lufthansa Aviation Training.
- Monthly pay: €3,200 – €4,800
- Annual earnings: ~€39,000 – €58,000
- Role: Monitor systems, assist during cruise, learn from senior crew
- Training bond: May apply for cadet programme entry
- Progression: Cadets can upgrade to FO within 2–4 years, depending on performance
Compared to the broader industry, this entry-level pay is actually on par or slightly better than many European flag carriers. Lufthansa’s cadet pilots receive structured training and early access to simulator hours, which gives them an advantage in moving up the ranks.
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Lufthansa Pilot Perks and Benefits
Lufthansa pilots don’t just earn a solid salary; they also enjoy a handful of benefits that make the package more attractive overall. From generous leave to worldwide travel discounts, here’s what they get.
Annual Leave: Pilots are entitled to 42 days of paid leave every year. This includes both scheduled time off and compensation for public holidays worked. Many also enjoy predictable rostering, especially on short-haul fleets, giving them a better work-life balance.
Travel Benefits: Lufthansa offers one of the more generous staff travel programmes in Europe. Pilots, their families, and even close friends can enjoy deeply discounted or standby tickets, sometimes even in business or first class, depending on seniority and availability.
Per Diems: Pilots receive daily allowances when they’re away from base on layovers. First officers usually get between €50–€58 per day, while captains earn slightly more at around €53–€61, depending on the length and destination of the trip.
Medical Coverage: A comprehensive global healthcare plan is provided. It covers routine care, emergency treatments, and dental work, both in Germany and abroad. For pilots travelling frequently, this is a big reassurance.
Holiday Discounts: Through Lufthansa’s network of partners, pilots get deals on hotels, car rentals, insurance packages and leisure activities during holidays or off-days.
Career Development: Pilots are supported with ongoing training, type rating upgrades, and even a €1,800–€2,000 yearly allowance for professional development. The airline encourages progression to captaincy and management roles for those inclined.
Lufthansa Fleet in 2025
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-100 | 35 | — | Single-aisle; ~138 seats. |
| Airbus A320-200 | 49 | 42 | 38 aircraft to be reconfigured to 180 seats. |
| Airbus A320neo | 35 | 37 | Worldwide launch customer; some orders for subsidiaries. |
| Airbus A321-100 | 17 | — | Launch customer. |
| Airbus A321-200 | 37 | — | High-density short/medium-haul. |
| Airbus A321neo | 17 | 22 | 215-seat configuration. |
| Airbus A330-300 | 9 | — | To be transferred to Discover Airlines by 2027. |
| Airbus A340-300 | 17 | — | Largest operator; to be retired by 2028. |
| Airbus A340-600 | 10 | — | Returned from storage in 2022; retirement Nov 2025. |
| Airbus A350-900 | 30 | 9 + 14 | New Allegris interior since 2024; some ex-Philippine Airlines. |
| Airbus A350-1000 | — | 15 | Deliveries from 2026; replacing A340-600. |
| Airbus A380-800 | 8 | — | Retirement after 2030. |
| Boeing 747-400 | 8 | — | Retirement by 2028; replaced by 777X. |
| Boeing 747-8I | 19 | — | Largest operator of type; to be retrofitted. |
| Boeing 777-9 | — | 20 | Entry into service late 2026; replacing 747-400. |
| Boeing 787-9 | 5 | — | New Allegris interior from 2025; some to Austrian Airlines. |
| Total | 296 | 152 |
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How to Become a Pilot at Lufthansa?
First Officers
- EASA CPL(A)/IR(A) with ATPL theory credit or MPL (phase 4 complete)
- Valid Class 1 medical
- Valid type rating on an aircraft in LH’s fleet
- UPRT training (Advanced level)
- German Abitur or equivalent
- EU citizenship or unrestricted work permit
- ICAO Level 4 English or better
- German language skills preferred from mid-2024 onward
Captains
- EASA ATPL(A)
- Valid type rating for LH aircraft
- Minimum 5,000 total flight hours
- At least 1,000 PIC hours
- Class 1 medical
- Higher education qualification (Abitur/Fachhochschulreife or similar)
- Full EU working rights
- ICAO English Level 4 or higher
Pilot Hiring Process
The Lufthansa recruitment process is known to be thorough, with several stages designed to assess both technical and interpersonal skills.
- Application: Candidates submit their CVs and documentation through Lufthansa’s official careers portal.
- Online Testing: Shortlisted applicants sit psychometric and English tests remotely.
- Phone Interview: Those who pass are interviewed briefly to assess personality fit and communication.
- Assessment Centre: In-person testing follows. This includes group exercises, technical questions and a flight simulator check.
- Final Interview: A more formal sit-down with senior flight ops personnel or hiring managers to gauge alignment.
- Conditional Offer: Pending successful medicals, reference checks and documentation verification, a conditional job offer is made.
FAQs
In 2025, Lufthansa (LH) Captains earn between €145,000 and €251,000 annually, depending on experience, aircraft type, and contract terms. They also receive a 16% bonus if they meet the 75 flying hours per month target, plus additional pay for overtime. Widebody Captains, such as those flying the Boeing 747 or Airbus A350, tend to be at the higher end of the pay scale.
Lufthansa (LH) First Officers earn €73,000 to €151,000 per year in 2025. Their pay depends on seniority, aircraft type, and operational hours. They also get a 16% bonus for meeting the standard 75-hour monthly flying target and additional pay for extra hours.
Second Officers at Lufthansa, often in entry-level or cruise relief roles, earn €39,000 to €58,000 annually. They support senior crew during flights, monitor aircraft systems, and undergo structured training, with opportunities to upgrade to First Officer within 2–4 years.
Yes. Lufthansa pilots on long-haul, widebody aircraft—such as the Boeing 747 or Airbus A350, generally earn more than those on short-haul, narrowbody aircraft. This is due to longer duty hours, international route allowances, and higher base pay scales for larger aircraft.
Bottom Line
Lufthansa remains one of the most attractive carriers to work for in Europe, especially for pilots looking to earn solid wages, fly a wide variety of aircraft, and grow within a structured airline group. With base salaries reaching well over €200,000 for senior captains and generous time-off and perks, the financial and lifestyle rewards are hard to ignore.
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