Commercial Pilot (Boeing 787)
British Airways: Connecting Britain with the World
British Airways, as the United Kingdom's esteemed flag carrier, prides itself on over a century of connecting Britain with the world through pioneering international air services. This enduring spirit of originality and innovation is central to the company's ethos, shared across its passengers, partners, and dedicated colleagues. At British Airways, every role, from customer service to flight operations, contributes to a legacy where ambition is fostered, and the pursuit of excellence knows no bounds. The organisation believes that great achievements are realised when individuals are inspired to think big and bring their ambition to work daily, ensuring that for its people, the sky is never the limit.
The Opportunity
British Airways is seeking highly skilled and dedicated Commercial Pilots to join its distinguished flight crew. The customer experience is paramount, and the primary objective of this role is to deliver an unparalleled flight experience for every passenger. The life of a Commercial Pilot at British Airways is both exhilarating and demanding, requiring consistent performance to the highest international aviation standards.
For pilots within British Airways, career progression is dynamic and supported by a commitment to work-life balance. Beyond core flying duties, diverse opportunities exist in areas such as pilot training and future pilot recruitment. An annual bid process allows British Airways pilots to apply for different fleets and Command positions, ensuring a flexible and rewarding career trajectory. This role offers not only significant career development within the airline but also access to a comprehensive and competitive reward and benefits package.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Candidates for this Commercial Pilot position must satisfy the following essential criteria to ensure the highest standards of safety and operational excellence:
- Current Aircraft Experience: Active and current flight experience on the Boeing 787 aircraft type within the last 12 months. Pilots must be actively flying the Boeing 787; those licensed for both Boeing 777/787 but exclusively flying the Boeing 777 are not eligible for this specific opportunity.
- Flight Time: For consideration in a long-haul position, applicants must possess over 1500 hours of total flight time. This must include 500 hours or 100 sectors on an aircraft type that satisfies ZFTT (Zero Flight Time Training), with this type flown within the last 12 months.
- Licence: Possession of a current UK Part-FCL ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) or the ability to meet the criteria for upgrading to an ATPL during the type rating. Alternatively, applicants holding an EASA licence must fulfill the “Third Country CPL and ATPL licence conversion requirements” (routes 3, 4, 5, or 6) as stipulated by the UK CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). Pilots who hold an EASA licence and previously held a UK Part-FCL licence are required to provide a copy of their previous UK licence or proof of UK training completion and UK licence award within their application.
- Medical: Valid Class 1 medical certificate.
- Physical Attributes: Height between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”). Pilots exceeding 1.91m in height may submit an application but will be required to undergo a functionality check to confirm their ability to meet the seating position requirements across various British Airways fleets. A strong level of physical fitness is also essential.
- Language Proficiency: ICAO Level 6 proficiency in both spoken and written English.
- Travel Documents: A valid passport with a minimum of 12 months validity remaining.
Deployment & Fleet Progression
Initial job offers for successful candidates will primarily be for the Boeing 787 fleet. While British Airways maintains a strategic ambition for a consolidated Boeing fleet (Boeing 777, 777X, and 787 aircraft), transfers to other fleets occur via the internal fleet move system, awarded on a seniority basis. Offers for the Boeing 777 may be extended if the number of successful applicants exceeds available 787 positions.
Application Process Notes
- Candidates who are unsuccessful at the initial screening, video interview, capacity testing, or assessment centre stage are eligible to reapply for the pilot recruitment campaign after a 6-month period from their last assessment date.
- A 12-month waiting period applies to candidates who were not successful at the simulator (SIM) stage before reapplying for the pilot recruitment campaign.
- Applicants are permitted to apply to only one airline within the British Airways family (British Airways, Euroflyer, or Cityflyer) at any given time. Should an application be unsuccessful in one campaign, reapplication to any of the three airlines is subject to the specified re-apply period elapsing.
- Successful candidates will be placed into a hold pool and will receive a maximum of two job offers. Should a candidate decline their second job offer, they will be removed from the hold pool and must reapply after 12 months, completing the entire selection process anew.
Comprehensive Benefits & Rewards
British Airways values the integral contribution of its colleagues, offering a comprehensive rewards package that extends significantly beyond a competitive salary. From the commencement of employment, pilots gain access to exceptional staff travel benefits, including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights, alongside up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares annually for personal use, friends, and family. The company actively encourages and supports continuous professional development, providing opportunities for new challenges and progression across the entire business.
Key benefits include:
- Dynamic and flexible career pathways.
- Varied roster patterns, encompassing night stops, day trips, and tours.
- A robust company pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Eligibility for extensive British Airways worldwide staff travel.
- Opportunity to qualify for a choice of 5 different fleet types (after an initial freeze period).
- Life insurance benefits.
- Company-funded conversion course/type rating (non-bonded).
- Discounted airfares for friends and family.
- Access to discounts at selected car hire services, hotels, and retail stores.
- A broad range of voluntary benefits for employees and their family members.
- Private medical cover, technology schemes, Cycle to Work, and Electric/Plug-in Hybrid car schemes.
Inclusion & Diversity
British Airways is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. The company celebrates the unique originality, creativity, and identity that each colleague contributes, actively encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds to join its journey towards a stronger, more inclusive British Airways. Recruitment decisions are made without discrimination based on race, religion, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. This job description provides an overview of the role's scope and responsibilities but is not intended as an exhaustive list of all duties or qualifications.