The Military Pilot Pathway is an exciting career pathway for experienced pilots from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army Air Corps.
Joining British Airways after serving your country is a great way to continue flying to exacting standards – in a uniform you’ll be proud to wear.
A career without limits
As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.
This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners, and our colleagues.
So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.
We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.
The role:
British Airways Direct Entry Pilot – Military Pathway
The customer is at the heart of everything that we do. Your goal will be to provide the very best flight experience possible for each passenger. Wherever you are going, your flying will be world class. The life of a commercial pilot is exciting, and you’ll be challenged every day to perform to the highest standards.
Joining our short-haul Airbus fleet or (dependent upon previous experience) joining one of our 4 long-haul fleets, your career path is never defined. Your lifestyle is important to us and with a huge variety of roles outside of flying, from training to recruiting the pilots of the future, there are countless opportunities.
Not only will you have the chance to further your career development within BA, but you’ll also have access to our competitive reward and benefits package.
What you’ll bring to British Airways:
Your experience:
Short-haul Fleet
- Minimum of 500 hours of flying time on any military type
- Ability to achieve a fATPL(A) and MCC (or exemption) by date of joining
Long-haul Fleets
- Minimum of 1500 hours of military flying time of which 500 hours or 100 sectors must be completed on a ZFTT qualifying aircraft
- Ability to achieve an unfrozen ATPL(A) and MCC (or exemption) by date of joining
Plus
- Previous military (or equivalent) flying experience within the last 3 years (fixed wing or rotary)
- Height will be between 1.57m (5'2") and 1.91m (6'3") (height is accurately determined during the assessment process). Pilots who are taller than 1.91m may submit an application but will be required to undergo a functionality check to confirm their ability to meet the requirements of the seating positions in the British Airways fleet of aircraft
- A good level of physical fitness, and ability to satisfy the British Airways medical requirements
- ICAO English Language Proficiency level 6
- A valid passport (with minimum of 12 months before expiry date at time of joining) allowing unrestricted worldwide travel
- Tattoos are permissible as long as they are not on the hands, face or head
- UK CAA Class 1 flight crew medical (Military A1 status is acceptable at point of application but UK CAA Class 1 must be achieved prior to a job offer being made)
- Right to live and work in the UK
- Meet the criteria of QMP as defined in CAP 2254
- Started ATPL groundschool and be confident you can have fATPL(A) completed and issued within 18 months of application
Applications are invited from QMPs who have already left or are looking to exit the military within the next 18 months. Applicants who are successful at Stage 1 (online assessment) and Stage 2 (in-person assessment) will be invited to a Simulator assessment; if you come from a multi engine background, you are able to book your Simulator Assessment straight after Stage 2, however if you are from fast jet or rotary we recommend completing your licence before booking in for your Simulator Assessment. . After passing the simulator assessment, you will be given a job offer with a mutually agreed start date up to 12 months in advance.
Successful applicants will receive a company-funded type rating and will join British Airways on the Direct Entry Pilot payscale. Opportunities for a fast track to Short Haul command are available for candidates who possess suitable experience and aptitude.
Job offers may be made for the A320, A350, A380, B777 or B787 (B777 pilots operate out of LHR and LGW). Preference will be given to those that hold a current rating on the aircraft type. Moves to other fleets will be processed via the internal fleet move system and awarded on a seniority basis.
We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity at British Airways. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. This job description aims to provide information essential to understanding the scope of the role, as well as the overall nature and level of work carried out by job holders in this position.
However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
Please note:
Candidates who were not successful at initial screening, video interview, capacity testing or assessment centre stage can reapply for the pilot recruitment campaign after 6 months from their most recent assessment date. Candidates who were not successful at the SIM stage must wait 12 months before reapplying for the pilot recruitment campaign.
You may only apply to one airline within the British Airways family (British Airways, Euroflyer, or Cityflyer) at a time. If you are unsuccessful in one campaign, you will be unable to reapply to any of the three airlines within the British Airways family until the specified re-apply period has elapsed.
Long-haul suitability will be assessed during simulator assessment. Please note, we have a limited number of long-haul positions available and therefore A320 remains our primary recruiting fleet.
Successful candidates will enter a hold pool. Candidates in the hold pool will receive a maximum of 2 job offers. If a candidate turns down their second job offer, they will exit the hold pool and be required to reapply after 12 months and complete the entire selection process again.
What we offer:
We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.
From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted ‘Hotline’ airfares per year for yourself, friends, and family.
At British airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.
We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.
- Dynamic Career Path
- Varied Roster Patterns (night stops, day trips and tours)
- Company pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
- Eligible for extensive British Airways worldwide staff travel
- Greater choice of 5 different fleet types (after initial freeze)
- Life insurance benefits
- Company funded conversion course/type rating (not bonded)
- Discounted airfares for your friends and family
- Discounts at selected car hire, hotels, and retail stores
- A range of voluntary benefits for yourself and family members
- Private medical cover, technology scheme, Cycle to Work and Electric/Plug-in Hybrid car scheme
Inclusion & Diversity
We recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity, and identity to work. We encourage people from all backgrounds to be part of our journey to become a Better BA.
