Direct Entry Captain – BA Euroflyer (London Gatwick Base)

British Airways (BA) seeks highly qualified aviation professionals to serve as Direct Entry Captains for its short-haul operation, BA Euroflyer, based at London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Leveraging over a century of pioneering excellence and a commitment to premium service, BA Euroflyer maintains the trusted standards of British Airways while connecting the UK to Europe's most desirable destinations, including Alicante, Marrakech, Nice, and Corfu.

The Role: Direct Entry Captain at London Gatwick

The Direct Entry Captain role offers a unique combination of career ambition and superior lifestyle balance. The successful candidate joins a dynamic, close-knit flight team operating modern aircraft. Captains benefit significantly from a fixed pattern roster, ensuring a return to the London Gatwick base every evening. This structure provides the freedom to maximize personal time off. Furthermore, the robust bidding system and swap function allow pilots to tailor their schedules, accommodating preferences for early starts or late finishes.

Compensation and Benefits Package

BA Euroflyer offers a highly competitive remuneration and benefits package designed to attract and retain elite aviation talent:

Starting salary of £114,000, augmented by approximately £25,150 in allowances (based on 800 flying hours per annum).
Fully funded type rating provided, with no associated training bond required.
Fixed pattern roster offering genuine lifestyle balance and predictability.
30 days of annual leave, including single-use leave days for special occasions.
Up to 15% employer pension contribution (maximum contribution capped at £17,100).
Access to British Airways Health Services or subsidized Class 1 medical renewals.
Inclusion on the highly valued British Airways master seniority list, providing a clear pathway to future career opportunities within the BA Group.

Welfare and Family Provisions

Comprehensive Loss of Licence scheme coverage.
Life Assurance coverage up to five times the annual salary.
Private Health Insurance provided through AXA PPP.
Annual Bookable Concession tickets available after 12 months of service.
Discounted travel, including hotels and car hire for personal use.
Employee Assistance Programme, offering free support services for the pilot and their family.

Minimum Candidate Requirements

Candidates applying for the Direct Entry Captain position must satisfy the following stringent criteria:

Possession of a UK-issued CAA ATPL (A), fATPL (A), MPL, or an EASA license that meets specific UK CAA conversion routes (3, 4, 5, or 6).
A minimum of 3,500 total flying hours on an aircraft type that satisfies Zero Flight Time Training (ZFTT) requirements. The applicant must have flown this specified aircraft type within the last six months.
A minimum of 1,000 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC). The applicant must have operated as PIC within the last six months.
Demonstrated right to live and work in the UK, or the ability to legally hold a necessary Right to Work (RTW) visa.
A valid Class 1 Medical Certificate, a valid passport, and ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 6.

Application Notes

Candidates are subject to reapplication periods: 6 months following initial stages, and 12 months if unsuccessful at the simulator stage.
Applicants are permitted to apply to only one BA Group airline at any given time.
Suitability for long-haul operations may be assessed during the simulator stage; however, the Airbus A320 family remains the primary fleet assignment for this role.
Hold pool candidates, if successful, will receive up to two job offers from the BA Group.

BA Euroflyer is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion across all operational teams. Qualified Captains are invited to submit their application and allow their professional ambition to take flight.