Skip to main content
National Careers Service

beta How could we improve this service? Your feedback will help.

  1. Home
  2. Explore careers
  3. Airline pilot

Airline pilot

Alternative titles for this job include Aircraft pilot, co-pilot, first officer, captain

Airline pilots fly passengers and cargo to destinations around the world.

Average salary (a year)

£47,000 Starter

to

£150,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

Variable a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Meet Marjolein and Norbi

Find out what Marjolein and Norbi do as Captain and First Officer for British Airways.

2 minute 20 second watch

View transcript

My name is Marjolein van Deth and I am a Captain on the A320 for British Airways, based at Heathrow.

When we first start flying, the skills that we need the most are probably quite basic skills, like learning how to fly the aircraft, learning all the technical aspects of the aircraft. And then when we progress throughout our career, especially when you become a Captain, it becomes a lot more about managing things.

So as a Captain, we learn how to manage a flight, how to manage the cabin crew, how to manage the passengers, and also emergency situations. So we practice that in the simulator every six months.

Norbi: My name is Norbi and I'm a First Officer here at British Airways operating on the Airbus A320 family aircraft.

So my day would start approximately an hour before the flight where I’ll meet the captain, the crew. And here we’ll discuss the flight's itinerary. So we'll discuss flight times, fuel, weights and any weather on routes. We'll go over and meet the cabin crew, discuss passenger clientele, flight times, duration of the flights. Then on, we'll make our way to the aircraft as a team, and we'll conduct flight preparations. For me, this will involve setting up the aircraft, setting up the flight computer.

Marjolein: People always ask us how much flying we actually do. So airplanes can't take off automatically yet. So that's all done by us. And then at some point after departure, we can manually fly it for as long as we want, but quite often we put the autopilot in which is over there, and then that will do quite a lot of the work for us, which is nice, but we still have to be there obviously telling the autopilot exactly what to do.

We talk to air traffic control, we look at the route, we look at weather, we look at terrain. We’re always thinking about plan B, so what are we going to do if this happens or that happens?

Norbi: The job is very dynamic, so it can change very suddenly. So we have to be ahead game and be prepared for anything.

Morjolein: Being calm, being able to think methodically.

Norbi: It's how we interact with people, is very much a people jobs. And I think many people don't often realise that. It’s how we interact with our colleagues, our ground staff, our passengers.

Marjolein: The views are incredible. As soon as we take off, it's a grey, rainy morning at Heathrow and we take off and we climb through the cloud and we're up in the sunshine at 35,000 feet, enjoying the views. It's, it's really, really amazing.

Norbi: Just the idea that I, every input that I make impacts the aircraft trajectory. And once it lands on the ground, it gives me goosebumps every time. It gives me goosebumps talking about it now. It's the most remarkable feeling every day and it just never gets boring.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • applying directly
  • a trainee scheme
  • specialist courses run by private training organisations

University

You could do a university degree which includes pilot studies.

Your university degree will:

  • include commercial pilot training with an approved flight training organisation
  • lead to a 'frozen' Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) which allows you to work as a co-pilot and build up the necessary flying hours to become a captain

Medical certificates

You'll need to have a minimum of a Class 2 medical certificate before you start a course.

You'll then need to apply for the higher level Class 1 medical certificate during your course to get your Commercial Pilot Licence. You could choose to apply for the Class 1 medical certificate before you start your course.

Fees and funding

As well as standard university fees, you'll need to fund the flight training part of your course. Your university can advise you about this.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Direct Application

If you have flying experience in the armed forces, you could apply directly to the Civil Aviation Authority's Military Accreditation Scheme to become a commercial pilot.

Other Routes

You could apply to join a pilot training programme with a passenger airline.

Private flying school

You could also train with a private flying school to get your Commercial Pilot Licence. Courses can take at least a year and 6 months of full time study.

You can find details about flight training schools from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

More Information

Career tips

Pilot training is expensive so research which route is best for you and your circumstances. 

You can also research scholarships to see if you can get any financial support with your training.

Pilot salaries can vary widely, depending on the size of the airline, your rank, how long you've flown for, and company bonus schemes and allowances.

Further information

You can find out more about training to become a pilot through Flying Start and the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA).

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • leadership skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • knowledge of maths
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • observation and recording skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As an airline pilot, you'll work with a co-pilot to:

  • fly the plane and communicate with air traffic control
  • work out the best route using weather reports and air traffic control data
  • create a flight plan and carry out pre-flight checks
  • communicate with cabin crew and passengers
  • follow procedures during take-off and landing to reduce noise pollution
  • write reports, check data during the flight and adjust the route if necessary

Working environment

You could work on an aircraft.

Your working environment may be cramped, physically demanding and you may spend nights away from home.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You'll start by training as a co-pilot. When you’ve completed at least 1,500 flying hours, you can apply for an 'unfrozen' or full Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) and qualify as an airline captain. This will usually take 3 to 5 years after you get your full ATPL.

With experience, you could become a flight training instructor or an operations manager.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an airline pilot right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming an airline pilot?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.