Military Pilot Pathway

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.

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, one of our four 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.

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.
• Previous military (or equivalent) flying experience within the last three years (fixed wing or rotary).
• Height between 1.57 m (5 ft 2 in) and 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) – pilots taller than 1.91 m may apply but will need a functionality check.
• Good level of physical fitness and ability to satisfy the British Airways medical requirements.
• ICAO English Language Proficiency level 6.
• Valid passport with minimum 12 months before expiry date at time of joining, allowing unrestricted worldwide travel.
• Tattoos permissible as long as they are not on the hands, face or head.
• UK CAA Class 1 flight crew medical (Military A1 status acceptable at point of application but UK CAA Class 1 must be achieved prior to a job offer).
• Right to live and work in the UK.
• Meet the criteria of QMP as defined in CAP 2254.
• Started ATPL ground school and confident you can achieve an fATPL(A) 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 can book your Simulator Assessment straight after Stage 2, but if you are from fast‑jet or rotary we recommend completing your licence before booking. After passing the simulator assessment, you will receive 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 pay scale. 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 who 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‑opportunity 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, it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, duties 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 re‑apply for the pilot recruitment campaign after six months from their most recent assessment date. Candidates who were not successful at the SIM stage must wait 12 months before re‑applying for the pilot recruitment campaign. You may only apply to one airline within the British Airways family at a time. If you are unsuccessful in one campaign, you will be unable to re‑apply to any of the three airlines until the specified re‑apply period has elapsed. Long‑haul suitability will be assessed during simulator assessment. 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 two 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

• Dynamical 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 five different fleet types (after initial freeze).
• Life insurance benefits.
• Company‑funded conversion course/type rating (not bonded).
• Discounted airfares for 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.

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.