Direct Entry Pilot - BA Euroflyer
British Airways, the nation's flag carrier, takes pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain. With over 100 years of history, including launching the world's first international scheduled air service, originality remains at the core of its identity. The airline fosters a spirit shared with its customers, partners, and colleagues, believing that great things happen when individuals are inspired to think big and bring ambition to their work. At British Airways, the sky is truly never the limit.
The airline is seeking experienced Direct Entry Pilots with the skills, energy, and aspiration for Command to join its BA Euroflyer operation. As a seasoned First Officer possessing strong leadership skills, the successful candidate will be inspired to become a Captain, role modelling the highest professional standards across the operation.
BA Euroflyer offers a clear pathway designed to support and navigate Direct Entry Pilots towards achieving Captain status within approximately 12 months, subject to vacancy availability and meeting the required standards.
Based at London Gatwick (Sussex), BA Euroflyer's colleagues are instrumental in propelling the operation to new heights. The growing network encompasses over 40 destinations across Europe and North Africa, including popular holiday locations. Flight crew proudly fly the flag, providing customers with the premium British Airways service and maintaining the renowned safety standards while ensuring comfort and style.
The flying programme is designed to return to London Gatwick each evening. Flight crew benefit from a fixed pattern roster with a bidding system, offering a genuine lifestyle balance that allows for effective planning of time outside the flight deck. The system allows crew members to preference desired flying patterns (early or late) and utilise a swap function with colleagues for flexibility.
As a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways, BA Euroflyer provides a vibrant and energising team culture focused on connection, personal communication, and prioritising colleagues. Being part of the broader British Airways family means working alongside industry experts and contributing to proudly representing the British Airways brand globally.
British Airways will be hosting BA Euroflyer recruitment roadshows across the UK, including London Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. Pilots will be on hand to answer questions and host 'Day in the Life at BA Euroflyer' presentations throughout the sessions. Details of these events are available through external channels.
Key Benefits:
- Starting salary of £78,000 per annum plus allowances projected at circa £14,332 (based on 800 flying hours per year).
- Upon successful completion of the command course, salary increases to £115,460 per annum plus allowances projected at circa £25,148, with annual incremental pay uplifts on a 15-point scale.
- Fully funded type rating courses provided without an attached bond.
- A newly introduced fixed pattern roster promoting genuine lifestyle balance for flight crew.
- 30 days of annual leave, including single-use leave days for special occasions.
- Employer pension contribution up to 15% (up to £11,250 in year one and £16,500 once upgraded) to support future financial security.
- Access to additional optional benefits including dental and critical illness cover, technology scheme, cycle to work scheme, and electric/plug-in hybrid car scheme.
- Access to British Airways Health Services for medicals or subsidised costs for Class 1 renewals if an established relationship with an AME exists.
- A place on the British Airways master seniority list, a unique number enabling pilots to bid for future career development opportunities such as long-haul fleet positions at LHR, training roles, or lifestyle changes to part-time.
Benefits for the Pilot and Family:
- Loss of Licence scheme providing financial protection in the event of ill health.
- Life Assurance Benefits up to 5 times the annual salary.
- Private Health Insurance with AXA PPP, with additional cover options for family members.
- Annual Bookable Concessions on Staff Travel (available after 12 months), offering business class space available upgrades for the pilot, family, or friends across the British Airways network.
- Unlimited discounted airfares, hotels, and car hire rates for friends and family.
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme, offering free confidential advice and support to the pilot and family, including counselling, financial, and legal guidance.
Essential Requirements:
- Holds a current UK issued CAA Flight Crew Licence (ATPL(A), fATPL(A), MPL) or holds an EASA licence and meets the “Third Country CPL and ATPL licence conversion requirements” set out by the UK CAA (routes 3, 4, 5, or 6).
- Possesses a minimum of 2500 hours total flying time (subject to factorisation), with a breakdown of hours included in the application.
- Holds the right to live and work in the UK.
- Meets the height requirement between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”). Qualified pilots taller than 1.91m may apply but will undergo a functionality check to confirm ability to meet seating requirements in the BA Euroflyer fleet.
- Maintains a good level of physical fitness.
- Demonstrates spoken and written English proficiency at ICAO level 6.
- Holds a valid passport with a minimum of 12 months validity remaining from the potential contract start date.
- Possesses a valid Class 1 medical certificate with a minimum of 6 months validity remaining from the potential contract start date.
Important Application Notes:
- Candidates unsuccessful at initial screening, video interview, capacity testing, or assessment centre stage are eligible to reapply for the pilot recruitment campaign after 6 months from their most recent assessment date. Candidates unsuccessful at the SIM stage must wait 12 months before reapplying for the pilot recruitment campaign.
- Applicants may only apply to one airline within the British Airways family (British Airways, Euroflyer, or Cityflyer) at any given time. If unsuccessful in one campaign, reapplication to any of the three airlines is not possible until the specified re-apply period has elapsed.
- Successful candidates will be placed in a hold pool. Candidates in the hold pool may receive a maximum of two job offers. Declining a second job offer will result in exiting the hold pool and requiring reapplication after 12 months, including completing the entire selection process again.
The airline is an equal opportunities employer and values diversity, prohibiting discrimination based on race, religion, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. This job description outlines the essential scope, general nature, and level of work for the position and is not an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions.
Current BA CityFlyer Pilots are required to apply via Jobsearch.