As the United Kingdom's flag carrier, British Airways proudly connects Britain with the world and the world with Britain. With a heritage spanning over 100 years, dating back to the world's first international scheduled air service between London and Paris, the airline embodies a spirit of originality shared with its passengers, partners, and colleagues. At British Airways, great achievements are realised when individuals are inspired to think ambitiously and bring their drive to work each day. The sky is truly never the limit.
The customer is paramount in all airline operations. A Direct Entry Pilot, First Officer on British Airways' Long Haul Fleets, is primarily responsible for providing the very best flight experience for each passenger. Piloting is conducted to world-class standards, navigating the exciting and challenging life of a commercial pilot while performing to the highest standards daily.
For pilots at British Airways, the career path is dynamic and not rigidly defined. Initial placement is on one of the airline's long-haul fleets. Opportunities exist to transfer to another long-haul fleet or the short-haul fleet, progressing towards becoming a Captain. Beyond flying, numerous opportunities are available in areas such as training and pilot recruitment, offering varied career development options. The airline values the lifestyle of its pilots, offering diverse roster patterns including night stops, day trips, and tours.
Pilots will not only benefit from career advancement opportunities within British Airways but also gain access to a competitive reward and benefits package.
Candidates are expected to meet the following criteria:
Job offers are predominantly made for the A320 and Boeing 777 fleets (777 pilots operate out of LHR and LGW, including the future Boeing 777X). A limited number of vacancies may exist on other fleets, with preference given to candidates holding a current rating on the specific aircraft type. Moves to other fleets after initial placement are processed via the internal fleet move system based on seniority.
Candidates unsuccessful at initial screening, video interview, capacity testing, or assessment centre stages may reapply after 6 months from their most recent assessment date. Candidates unsuccessful at the SIM stage must wait 12 months before reapplying. Application is limited to one airline within the British Airways family (British Airways, Euroflyer, or Cityflyer) at a time; unsuccessful candidates must observe the specified re-apply period before applying to any of the three. Long-haul suitability is assessed during the simulator assessment, though A320 remains the primary recruiting fleet due to limited long-haul positions. Successful candidates are placed in a hold pool and will receive a maximum of two job offers. Declining a second job offer results in exiting the hold pool, requiring reapplication after 12 months and completion of the entire selection process.
British Airways values its colleagues, offering rewards extending beyond a competitive salary. From commencement of employment, pilots gain access to comprehensive staff travel benefits, including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights and up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares annually for themselves, friends, and family. The airline encourages continuous development and progression, providing opportunities across the business.
Benefits include:
British Airways recognises the unique contributions of all colleagues, valuing the originality, creativity, and identity each individual brings. People from all backgrounds are encouraged to join the journey towards becoming a Better B.