British Airways (BA), the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, has been a household name in global aviation for decades now. With a reputation for premium service and a long legacy of international reach, BA sits at the heart of the International Airlines Group (IAG), operating an expansive fleet out of London Heathrow and Gatwick.
In 2024, the airline celebrated its 50th anniversary, which highlights a testament to its staying power in a turbulent industry. With around 4,000 pilots in its ranks, BA continues to attract new applicants every year. As demand for experienced crew rises globally, interest in what British Airways pays its pilots has become more relevant than ever. So if you’ve found yourself wondering how much BA pilots earn and everything else about the job, here is a look.
British Airways Captain Salary
Captains at British Airways enjoy one of the more competitive salary packages in the UK. Their pay, as with most major airlines, depends heavily on the type of aircraft flown, years in the left seat, and flying hours logged each month. A widebody captain on long-haul duties will understandably earn more than a short-haul A320 skipper.
The base pay for captains typically ranges between £115,000 to £145,000 per annum, with some widebody captains pushing close to £168,000 in high-seniority brackets or when flying longer international routes. Additional duty pay, sector-based payments, and allowances can increase the take-home.
Perks such as annual bonuses, seniority increments, and occasional performance rewards may bump figures further. That said, many BA captains say the biggest draw is the long-term career stability and prestige tied to the airline rather than short-term earning spikes.
British Airways First Officer Salary
First Officers at British Airways, both on short-haul and long-haul enjoy a solid earning package, though it varies depending on seniority and fleet. Junior FOs typically start around the £65,000–£75,000 mark on short-haul routes, with salaries rising steadily into six figures for those on long-haul jets or with more years under their belt.
Some experienced First Officers flying long-haul routes may take home between £105,000 and £122,000 annually, especially on aircraft like the Boeing 777, 787 or A350.
As with Captains, duty hours and route structure affect monthly totals, and there’s often room for improvement through rostering preference, additional training duties, or performance bonuses.
British Airways Second Officer Pay
BA doesn’t formally label many roles as “Second Officer” anymore, but there are cadet and entry-level pilot roles that roughly fit the same category. Fresh out of training, new pilots placed onto short-haul fleets generally begin earning £55,000 to £65,000 in their first year.
This figure includes base salary and standard sector pay. While it’s a touch below industry highs seen in places like the Middle East, it’s considered fair in the UK — especially given the cost-of-living balance and progression opportunities at BA.
Training bonds or type-rating costs are usually covered through internal schemes or partially reimbursed over time. That said, candidates still need to meet very specific licence and medical requirements.
British Airways Pilot Benefits
British Airways pilots enjoy a well-rounded benefits package that blends lifestyle perks with strong employee protections. While some extras like completely free travel have been phased out post-merger with Iberia, the offerings still stack up well compared to other carriers in the region.
- Annual & Parental Leave : Pilots receive generous annual leave — typically around 30–35 paid days depending on seniority — plus flexible working options for new parents returning to the flight deck.
- Staff Travel Scheme: BA crew and their nominees are granted access to discounted standby travel from day one, and premium cabin tickets become available after six months. Annual bookable upgrades (even to First Class) are one of the more envied benefits.
- Pension Scheme: There’s no longer a mandatory pension setup, but BA offers a flexible scheme where employees contribute up to 7% and the airline chips in 2%, with room to boost that ratio depending on the role and service length.
- Flexible Extras: From medical cover to childcare vouchers, dental plans, and illness protection, pilots can tailor their perks. There’s even a cycle-to-work plan and optional dental and life insurance coverage.
- Electric Car Scheme: After completing 12 months in service, pilots can apply for a fully supported electric vehicle — part of BA’s push towards greener employee benefits. This scheme runs via salary sacrifice and often helps with tax planning.
ALSO READ: CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS PILOT SALARY
British Airways Fleet in 2025
The British flag carrier operates one of the largest and most diverse fleets in Europe, comprising both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Narrowbodies handle European and domestic flights while widebodies serve long-haul destinations across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania.
| Aircraft Type | In Service | Orders | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-100 | 25 | — | One aircraft (G-EUPJ) in retro BEA livery. |
| Airbus A320-200 | 49 | — | Includes 3 aircraft in Oneworld livery. |
| Airbus A320neo | 30 | 7 | Additional 26 ordered by IAG, yet to be assigned. |
| Airbus A321neo | 17 | 5 | Additional 23 ordered by IAG, yet to be assigned. |
| Airbus A350-1000 | 18 | 6 | Delivered with Club Suites; 12 more on option. |
| Airbus A380-800 | 12 | — | To be retrofitted with new seating by late 2026. |
| Boeing 777-200ER | 43 | — | Multiple configurations; some with Club Suites; several in Oneworld livery. |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 16 | — | All equipped with Club Suites. |
| Boeing 777-9 | — | 24 | Deliveries pending; 18 options included. |
| Boeing 787-8 | 12 | — | Mixed cabin types; some retrofitted with Club Suites. |
| Boeing 787-9 | 18 | — | Older Club World seats. |
| Boeing 787-10 | 12 | 38 | Delivered with Club Suites; 16 additional options. |
| Total | 252 | 80 |
British Airways Pilot Requirements
To fly for British Airways, pilots need to meet quite a detailed set of requirements. These differ slightly for experienced Captains versus new First Officers, but the core standards remain consistent.
Captain Requirements:
- UK CAA-issued ATPL (A)
- Minimum total flying hours depending on fleet (usually over 4,000)
- Medical Class 1
- ICAO English Level 6
- Strong widebody experience preferred
First Officer Requirements:
- fATPL, MPL, or EASA ATPL convertible under UK CAA route 3/4/5
- Valid Class 1 medical
- Height between 1.57m and 1.91m (exceptions considered)
- ICAO English Level 6
- Valid UK/EU passport
Cadet opportunities exist through BA’s Speedbird Pilot Academy and other integrated ATPL training schemes, with entry typically involving aptitude testing and simulator screening.
British Airways Hiring Process for Pilots
Here’s how the typical BA pilot recruitment journey goes in 2025:
- Online Application: Once they find a suitable vacancy, all the interested candidates are required to upload documents and complete a questionnaire on BA’s careers site.
- Technical Assessment: This item of the hiring process includes cognitive and aptitude-based tests to assess multitasking and flight readiness.
- Group Exercise: This includes a team-based problem-solving round, simulates real cockpit collaboration and ascertains an individual’s suitability in an airline’s environment.
- HR Interview: A personal interview is conducted to evaluate mindset, communication, and alignment with the British Airways culture.
- Simulator Assessment: This step is mostly run on a high-fidelity Airbus A380 sim and candidates are tested for control, judgment, and CRM skills.
- Final Checks: This step of the hiring process includes pre-employment screening, security interviews, uniform fitting, and medical/drug testing.
Recruitment tends to occur in batches across the year, with A320, 777, and 787 fleets currently taking priority. Positions at BA EuroFlyer and BA CityFlyer are also regularly advertised.
Bottom line – British Airways Pilot Salary
Flying for British Airways in 2025 isn’t just about the pay — although that’s certainly attractive. What makes BA stand out is the combination of stable salaries, predictable progression, and a supportive work environment shaped by strong union representation and thoughtful benefits.
Whether you’re aiming to command a 777 across the Atlantic or break into commercial aviation through the short-haul fleet, BA remains one of the most sought-after employers in British aviation.
FAQs: British Airways Pilot Salary & Career in 2025
Captains at British Airways earn between £115,000 and £145,000 annually, depending on fleet type and experience. Senior long-haul captains flying widebody aircraft can earn up to £168,000 per year, excluding bonuses and allowances.
First Officers typically start at around £65,000 to £75,000, especially on short-haul aircraft. With experience and transfer to long-haul fleets, this can rise to £105,000–£122,000 per year.
Yes. While the “Second Officer” title is rare, entry-level and cadet pilots can join BA, often earning around £55,000 to £65,000 in their first year, with opportunities for rapid progression via internal training programs.
To join as a First Officer, pilots must hold a UK CAA ATPL or fATPL, Class 1 medical, ICAO English Level 6, and meet height and passport requirements. Experience requirements are higher for Captain positions, especially for widebody operations.
Please join our Telegram Channel for the latest aviation updates.
