Direct Entry Captain Opportunity at airBaltic
airBaltic invites experienced pilots to join as Direct Entry Captains, offering unparalleled flexibility in roster choices designed for optimal work-life balance. The airline provides a competitive salary structure with predictable career progression, ensuring both financial stability and rewarding professional development. airBaltic values the experience, time, and future of its flight crew.
Roster Options and Compensation (Effective January 1, 2026)
Candidates can select from the following roster patterns:
- Commuting Roster: Features a 13 days on / 10 days off pattern.
- Flexible Roster: Offers a minimum of 10 days off per calendar month with limited layovers, allowing for bidding on preferred days off and flights.
- Fixed Roster: Operates on a 5 days on / 3 days off pattern.
The company offers 10 distinct salary levels, with guaranteed progression after each year of service. Employment will commence at a level commensurate with the captain's existing experience.
Salary Structure
- Commuting Roster: Annual guaranteed base salary ranges from 96,390 EUR gross to 106,590 EUR gross, dependent on prior experience. Planned annual productivity averages up to 130,800 EUR gross.
- Base Rosters (Fixed or Flexible): Annual guaranteed base salary ranges from 113,400 EUR gross to 125,400 EUR gross, dependent on prior experience. Planned annual productivity averages up to 153,680 EUR gross.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
- Permanent employment contract with a three-month probation period.
- airBaltic covers the A220 type rating, subject to a three-year bond.
- Fixed and flexible rosters are published 14 days in advance.
- Opportunities for career advancement in training, safety, and other operational roles.
- Unlimited complimentary home leave tickets across the airBaltic route network.
- Health insurance and well-being benefits provided after the probation period.
- 24/7 accident insurance from the commencement of employment.
- Loss of License insurance is available after one year of service.
- 28 calendar days of paid annual vacation.
- airBaltic assumes the cost of all necessary training, validations, and medical examinations.
- Uniforms are provided by airBaltic.
Candidate Profile
airBaltic seeks candidates who possess the following qualifications and attributes:
- Valid EU ATPL license.
- Valid EASA Medical Class 1 certificate.
- ICAO English proficiency level 4 or higher.
- Minimum of 4,000 total flight hours.
- Minimum of 2,000 flight hours on multi-pilot/multi-engine turbine aircraft (CS-25).
- Minimum of 1,000 hours of Command experience on a CS-25 aircraft.
- Clean criminal record.
- Exceptional leadership skills, a commitment to the highest safety and professional standards, strong mentorship abilities, and demonstrable professional excellence.
Scheduled Type Rating Start Dates
- 2025: December 10
- 2026: January 19, February 16, March 16, April 15, May 18
*Note: For captains joining airBaltic in 2025, an alternative roster and salary structure is available: a flexible roster with a minimum of 11 days off per month, including two blocks of 4 days off. The annual average base salary for this option is 90,000 EUR gross (inclusive of 45 flight hours/month and 23 sectors, plus additional productivity pay for hours/sectors exceeding these minimums). Base salary is paid during the training period.
Additional Employment Benefits
Secure & Flexible Environment
- Join a stable airline with over 29 years of operational history.
- Enjoy flexible roster options with the ability to bid for preferred days off and flights.
- Experience an uplifting work environment supported by encouraging management.
Traditional & Travel Benefits
- Complimentary roundtrip tickets and highly competitive airfares.
- Unlimited home leave tickets for personal travel.
- Generous health and accident insurance coverage, complemented by a wide array of well-being benefits.
International & Dynamic Work
- All necessary training, validations, and medical expenses are covered.
- Commitment to diversity, equality, and fair working conditions for all employees.
- Engage in a dynamic workplace culture that fosters innovation and teamwork.
Professional & Personal Growth
- Explore ample career development opportunities within training, safety, and office-based roles.
- Access Latvian language courses to facilitate integration.
- Participate in leadership development programs and coaching initiatives.