Singapore Airlines Pilot Salary in 2025

Singapore Airlines (SQ) is widely recognized as one of the best airlines in the world. With a strong reputation for quality, consistency, and premium service, SQ has long maintained a solid foothold in global aviation. Whether it’s the first-class suites or top-tier service across cabins, the airline’s standard is unmatched.

For pilots, working at Singapore Airlines is often considered a career milestone. It’s not just about flying widebodies like the A350 or the double-decker A380 but about joining an airline that values its crew, pays well, and offers long-term stability. With many long-haul destinations and a fleet that leans heavily toward larger aircraft, SQ pilots are kept busy and fairly well rewarded.

Captain Salary at Singapore Airlines

Captains sit at the top of the cockpit hierarchy. They’re responsible for the entire operation of the flight, from pushback to parking at the arrival gate. They make all the major calls during abnormal or emergency and lead both the flight deck and cabin crew.

At SQ, Captains earn a basic salary ranging from SG$249,000 to SG$351,000 per year. Alongside this, they get SG$125 per flying hour. There’s no minimum hour guarantee, but most widebody Captains are flying a fairly solid roster.

It’s also worth remembering that promotions at SQ don’t come quickly. It can take many years to progress from First Officer to Captain. But once you’re there, it’s a highly respected and well-rewarded position.

First Officer Salary at Singapore Airlines

First Officers, often referred to as the co-pilots, are next up in the hierarchy. They share the cockpit with the Captain and are fully licensed to fly the aircraft. In many sectors, they’ll be the ones handling take-offs or landings, depending on crew rest, seniority, and roster planning.

Singapore Airlines pays its First Officers a base salary in the ballpark of SG$121,000 to SG$181,000 annually. This base doesn’t include flight hour pay, which is an additional SG$82 per flying hour.

However, SQ does not offer a guaranteed minimum number of flying hours per month. So if schedules are quiet, the overall income may dip a little. But generally, the roster is quite active, especially for those on the A350 and B777 fleets, which are constantly on long-haul rotation.

Second Officer Salary at Singapore Airlines

Second Officers are the junior-most pilots at SQ. They’re usually fresh out of the airline’s own cadet program or hired externally with limited flying experience. Think of them as co-pilots-in-training, but they don’t normally fly the aircraft during take-off or landing; they do handle cruise duties and radio calls under supervision.

At SQ, Second Officers generally earn between SG$74,000 and SG$91,000 per year. How much they start with depends on their background, prior experience, and how well they did during training. While they might not fly the aircraft much early on, these pilots are an important part of the long-haul rotation, often stepping into the flight deck while the Captain or First Officer is on rest.

It’s worth noting that cadet pilots who join SQ as Second Officers sign a seven-year bond, since the airline invests heavily in their training and type ratings. It’s a fairly long commitment, but many see it as a worthwhile trade-off for getting into a legacy airline.

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Singapore Airlines Pilots Perks & Benefits

Flying for Singapore Airlines doesn’t just mean a strong paycheque. It comes with a generous bundle of perks that make life in and out of the cockpit quite comfortable. The airline has built a strong reputation for looking after its pilots, not just professionally but personally too.

To begin with, there’s a solid insurance package that covers both medical and life aspects, giving pilots peace of mind while they’re away flying long-haul routes. Medical coverage includes family members, and pilots are protected even in rare cases of job-related injury or incapacity.

Pilots also get access to a decent housing allowance, and while Singapore Airlines doesn’t provide accommodation like some Gulf carriers do, it does help offset a chunk of the rental and living expenses for foreign crew members living in Singapore.

On top of that, discounted travel perks are a highlight. Pilots and their families can fly on Singapore Airlines and its partner airlines (like Scoot and Star Alliance members) at heavily reduced rates, often in premium cabins. Hotel discounts are thrown in too, which is handy for regular travellers.

Additionally, there’s a retirement support structure as well, including financial planning assistance and internal pathways for career progression. Many pilots are supported to move into training, management, or operations roles once they hit retirement age.

And then there’s the profit-sharing scheme. When the airline performs well, like in recent years, pilots can expect generous bonuses that sometimes stretch up to eight or nine months of basic salary.

Singapore Airlines Fleet in 2025

Singapore Airlines has a modern and diverse fleet, with a heavy focus on long-haul, twin-aisle aircraft. Here’s a quick look at the types currently flown by SQ pilots:

Aircraft	In Service	Orders	Notes
Airbus A350-900	58	—	Largest operator of the type; includes 9V-SMF, the 10,000th Airbus aircraft ever built.
Airbus A350-900ULR	7	—	World’s only operator; configured for ultra-long-haul flights.
Airbus A380-800	12	—	Launch customer; second largest operator behind Emirates; older units to be retired and replaced by A350-900 & 777-9.
Boeing 737-800	4	—	To be retired and replaced by Boeing 737 MAX 8 by March 2026.
Boeing 737 MAX 8	18	11	Replacing Boeing 737-800; 8 orders cancelled in May 2023.
Boeing 777-300ER	22	—	Older aircraft to be retired and replaced by Boeing 777-9.
Boeing 777-9	—	31	Expected from 2026; replacing older 777-300ER and Airbus A380.
Boeing 787-10	26	5	Launch customer; includes 9V-SCP, the 1000th Boeing 787 Dreamliner built.
Airbus A350F	—	7	Cargo; launch customer; replacing Boeing 747-400F.
Boeing 747-400F	7	—	Cargo; to be retired and replaced by Airbus A350F.
Boeing 777F	5	—	Cargo; operated for DHL Aviation.
Total	159	54	Fleet modernisation ongoing with focus on sustainability and efficiency.

Moreover, with more A350 Freighters, B787s, and 777-9s on order, there’s plenty of future flying opportunities too.

How to Become a Singapore Airlines Pilot?

Requirements for Second Officers

To start as a Second Officer at SQ, candidates must meet a list of fairly strict requirements. These include:

• Valid Class 1 Medical Certificate recognised by CAAS
• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL/MEIR) or Multi Pilot Licence (MPL) with frozen ATPL
• At least 200 flying hours (with 100 PIC hours for foreign licence holders)
• ICAO English Level 5 or higher
• Minimum academic qualification: GCE ‘A’ level, Diploma, or equivalent
• Myopia not worse than 800 degrees and astigmatism under 300
• Minimum height: 1.62m

Requirements for First Officers

First Officers need to have more experience under their belt:

• Valid Class 1 Medical Certificate recognised by CAAS
• A valid ATPL, CPL/MEIR with frozen ATPL, or MPL (CAAS-recognised)
• A minimum of 1,500 total flying hours on multi-crew jets >20T (700 hours may be considered with extra training)
• ICAO English Level 5
• Height of at least 1.62m

Requirements for Captains

Captains must bring a strong background in international operations:

• Valid Class 1 Medical Certificate (CAAS-approved)
• A full ATPL, recognised by CAAS
• Minimum 7,000 total flying hours, with at least 3,000 PIC hours on commercial jets
• ICAO English Level 5 or above
• Minimum height of 1.62m

Hiring Process

Singapore Airlines follows a standard but thorough hiring pipeline. Here’s how it generally looks:

1. Online Application – Candidates submit their CVs and licences via the company portal.
2. Interview Round – Shortlisted applicants are invited for a technical and HR interview.
3. Simulator Assessment – Pilots are tested in real-time scenarios to evaluate handling skills.
4. Final Offer – If successful, the pilot receives an offer, subject to medical and background checks.

However, it’s not an overnight process, and competition is fierce. But once you’re in, SQ offers one of the most stable and prestigious flying jobs in Asia.

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Fifth Boeing 777X Performs Maiden Flight, Destined for Singapore Airlines

Source: Singapore Airlines