Red text indicates fields that were changed during the last update on 16 February 2026
Pilots'
Detailed Payscale- please
state whether payscale is before
or after tax
(pension, per diems and brief
payscale are listed further down
the page)
Older 24 Point Payscales no longer avail included are the first 20 years of the new 34 pay point pay scales.
Pay scale below now significantly out of date starting salary now closer to £79,000 plus allowances… first year FO pay after allowances now over £100k
Additional
Duty Pay / Per Diems for British Airways Mainline
Pilot Jobs
last
update
Capt
Time away from base (same for all ranks) to £4.86/hr Annual flight pay circa £14,161 based on average annual hours of 713 plus holiday pay.
Flying pay (same for all ranks) circa £19/hr
Pension
Details for British Airways Mainline
Pilot Jobs
last
update
All new joiners will have access to a British Airways Pension Plan.
Personal 6%
Company 15%
Smart pension credit 0.6%
Total contributions 21.6%
Pensions pay scales are slightly different to displayed following the old 24 point payscale and therefore sitting slightly higher in value.
Conditions
for British Airways Mainline Pilot
Jobs
last
update
Roster
Seniority based bidding with junior pilots working more weekends. New roster improvements introduced in winter 2025- LH- minimum 3 days off after trips 3 days or longer. SH- 86 hours (3.5 days off) after 5 day working block meaning a pilot can’t go from ending on a late to starting on an early- unless they actively choose to do so.
6/Dec/25
Leave
6 weeks + wrap days.
12x golden days per year (taken individually or in pairs- max 3 per month)
Parental leave, unpaid leave and co-parent leave offered above the 6 weeks entitlement
British Airways Mainline
Pilot Jobs Entry Requirements
(including preferred
pilot schools)
last
update
Captain
BA mainline upgrade time SH - 3 to 5 years but many pilots choose to wait much longer due to building seniority and creating a much better work-life balance LH - 18+ years BA Euroflyer LGW less than 2 years (Euroflyer now offering a very attractive and popular 5/4/5/3 roster pattern)
6/Dec/25
FO
Pilots with A320 experience require a minimum of 500 hours to apply for SH.
LH applicants require a minimum 1500 hours on a ZFTT qualifying aircraft.
(Pilots without A320 experience must wait until they have 1500 hours to apply for mainline or may apply for BA Euroflyer with 100 sectors/500 hours on ZFTT qualifying aircraft.
2/Aug/24
SO
Campaign for Second Officers launched 17/10/25 (newly created role- campaign closed 6 weeks early due to mass interest.
Qualifications required, UK CAA CPL with type rating on A320 & base training completed. Have flown type in last 12 months & 0-500hrs on type
20/Nov/25
FE
Scholorship
Speedbird Pilot Academy- fully funded pilot training. Applications open in Spring
Recruitment
Process for British Airways Mainline
Pilot Jobs
last
update
Online application followed by motivational recorded video interview.
In person capacity and special reasoning test, group exercise, interview and simulator assessment. Practice aptitude and psychometric tests here.
This
webpage is provided to help students
at aviation schools and flight schools
find information on British Airways Mainline
pilot jobs. Whether you are looking
for specific airline pilot jobs or
more general information on aviation
schools, pilot interviews, type rating
requirements, pilot salaries and airlines,
this website can help.
Coverage
of airline pilot opportunities is
provided for many flight schools and
airlines, and you can search by aircraft
type if you have a type rating and
are looking for specific pilot employment
opportunities. Students at aviation
schools and flight schools may wish
to visit the website periodically
to keep up to date with the latest
recruitment news for British Airways Mainline
pilot jobs.