Commercial Pilot - Boeing 787
British Airways, as the esteemed nation's flag carrier, proudly upholds a distinguished legacy spanning over 100 years, connecting Britain with the world. Since initiating the world's first international scheduled air service between London and Paris, a pioneering spirit has profoundly shaped the airline's ethos, fostering a culture of innovation and collective ambition. At British Airways, careers are meticulously cultivated, empowering individuals to achieve significant milestones and transcend conventional boundaries, where the horizon truly knows no limit.
The Role: Commercial Pilot
British Airways is actively seeking highly skilled and dedicated Commercial Pilots to join its world-class flight operations, with primary assignment to the advanced Boeing 787 fleet. The paramount objective of this role is to deliver an unparalleled flight experience for every passenger, consistently adhering to the most stringent standards of aviation excellence. The career of a commercial pilot at British Airways is inherently exhilarating and demanding, necessitating unwavering performance at the pinnacle of professional capability.
A pilot's career trajectory at British Airways is remarkably dynamic, presenting extensive opportunities beyond the immediate scope of flight duties. Pilots are encouraged to explore diverse roles within the airline, including, but not limited to, flight training, pilot recruitment, and operational management. British Airways is deeply committed to its pilots' professional growth, facilitating structured annual bid processes for various fleets and Command positions. This dedication to career advancement is further augmented by a comprehensive and highly competitive reward and benefits package.
Key Requirements and Qualifications
Prospective candidates for this pivotal role must satisfy the following stringent criteria:
- Flight Experience:
- The candidate must be actively flying the Boeing 787 and possess documented flight experience on this specific aircraft type within the last 12 months.
- For consideration for a long-haul position, the candidate must have accumulated more than 1500 hours of total flight time at the time of online application submission. This must include a minimum of 500 hours or 100 sectors on an aircraft type that satisfies Zero Flight Time Training (ZFTT), with this type having been flown within the last 12 months.
- Eligibility for this specific opportunity is strictly limited to pilots actively flying the Boeing 787 only. Pilots currently licensed on Boeing 777/787 but who are exclusively flying the Boeing 777 are not eligible to apply for this particular recruitment campaign.
- Licensing:
- Possession of a current UK-issued CAA Flight Crew Licence ATPL(A), fATPL(A), or MPL (with the requisite hours to facilitate an upgrade to an ATPL).
- Alternatively, the candidate may hold an EASA licence and must fully meet the "Third Country CPL and ATPL licence conversion requirements" as meticulously outlined by the UK CAA (specifically routes 3, 4, 5, or 6). Detailed guidance on these requirements is available from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
- Pilots holding an EASA licence who previously held a UK Part-FCL licence are required to provide a copy of their former UK licence or demonstrable proof of having completed training in the UK and subsequently being awarded a UK licence.
- Medical & Physical Standards:
- Possession of a current UK CAA Class 1 Medical Certificate.
- Height must be between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”). Pilots exceeding 1.91m in height may submit an application but will be mandated to undergo a functionality check to rigorously confirm their ability to comfortably meet the requirements of seating positions across the diverse British Airways fleets.
- A demonstrably good level of physical fitness is a prerequisite.
- Language Proficiency & Documentation:
- Demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written English at ICAO Level 6.
- Possession of a valid passport with a minimum of 12 months remaining validity prior to its expiry date.
Fleet Assignment and Career Progression
Initial job offers will predominantly be extended for positions within the Boeing 787 fleet. British Airways harbors a long-term strategic ambition to transition towards a unified Boeing single-fleet operation, envisioning its pilots operating a combination of Boeing 777, 777X, and 787 aircraft. Future moves to alternative fleets will be meticulously processed via the internal fleet move system and awarded based on seniority. It is pertinent to note that offers for Boeing 777 positions may be extended should the number of successful applicants surpass the available Boeing 787 positions.
Application and Selection Process Guidelines
Candidates are advised to observe the following crucial guidelines pertaining to the application and selection stages:
- Applicants who were unsuccessful at the initial screening, video interview, capacity testing, or assessment centre stages are eligible to reapply for the pilot recruitment campaign after a period of 6 months from their most recent assessment date.
- Candidates who were unsuccessful at the simulator (SIM) stage must observe a waiting period of 12 months before reapplying for the pilot recruitment campaign.
- Candidates are permitted to apply to only one airline within the British Airways family (comprising British Airways, Euroflyer, or Cityflyer) at any given time. Should an applicant prove unsuccessful in one campaign, they will be precluded from reapplying to any of the three airlines within the British Airways family until the specified re-application waiting period has fully elapsed.
- Successful candidates will be placed into a designated hold pool. Candidates within this hold pool 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 will be required to reapply after a period of 12 months, thereby completing the entire selection process anew.
Compensation & Benefits
British Airways deeply values the contributions of all its colleagues, offering a comprehensive rewards package that significantly surpasses a mere competitive salary. The airline is committed to ensuring every individual feels valued for their integral role.
Commencing from the first day of employment, pilots gain immediate access to exceptional staff travel benefits, encompassing unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. Furthermore, up to 30 discounted 'Hotline' airfares are provided annually for the pilot's personal use, as well as for friends and family members. British Airways actively encourages and robustly supports career advancement, providing diverse opportunities across its extensive business operations for continuous professional development and progression. The airline champions a culture of perpetual evolution and innovation.
Key Benefits Include:
- A Dynamic Career Path with abundant opportunities for growth and diverse roles within the airline.
- Varied Roster Patterns, incorporating night stops, day trips, and extended tours.
- A robust Company Pension Scheme, featuring an employer contribution of up to 15%.
- Eligibility for extensive British Airways worldwide staff travel.
- Enhanced choice across five different fleet types following an initial freeze period.
- Comprehensive Life Insurance Benefits.
- Company-funded Conversion Course/Type Rating, notably without any bonding requirements.
- Access to discounted airfares for friends and family.
- Exclusive discounts at a selection of car hire companies, hotels, and retail stores.
- A wide array of voluntary benefits for the pilot and their family members, including private medical cover, technology schemes, Cycle to Work initiatives, and Electric/Plug-in Hybrid car schemes.
Inclusion & Diversity
British Airways champions a deeply diverse and inclusive workplace culture, unequivocally recognizing that all colleagues are uniquely distinct and contribute their own originality, creativity, and identity to the work environment. The airline actively and sincerely encourages individuals from all backgrounds to join its transformative journey towards becoming a Better BA, fostering an environment where every individual can truly thrive and contribute their fullest potential.