Speedbird Pilot Academy

Before you apply, if you are a current British Airways employee, please ensure you apply via the Internal Job Portal. Please note that you can only reach stage two (flight school stage) a maximum of three times. Your invitation to the first test will be sent within two working days of submitting your application. After being invited to a test, you will have a maximum of 2 calendar days to complete it, excluding the day you receive the invitation. You will be invited to each of the 4 initial tests automatically within 1 working day of completing each test. Please wait for an update before contacting us to check the status of your application. As long as you submit your application within the advertised dates (14th – 23rd April UK time), you can continue with your online testing.

British Airways is the nation’s flag carrier, connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain for over 100 years. The Speedbird Pilot Academy is revolutionising the aviation industry by making the profession accessible to dedicated individuals from all walks of life. Successful candidates will be offered a place at an approved flight training school and, on passing the course, a position as a British Airways pilot. This initiative will help ensure the right levels of future flying talent for years to come. With initial training that can cost tens of thousands of pounds, the price of becoming a pilot has made the profession prohibitive for many. This cost will now be funded by British Airways, making it a genuine career path for all aspiring pilots. The airline remains committed to increasing diversity in the aviation industry and aims to encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Please note that you will be based at either London Gatwick or London Heathrow. The selection process will take place in three stages:

• Stage 1: Initial Online Testing - Applications close on 23rd April 2026, although we will screen applications until mid-May.
• Stage 2: Flight School Online Testing, In-Person Assessment Centre, Online Interview - Online Testing: mid-June until end of June; In-Person Assessment: end of June until beginning of August; Online Interview: mid-August until end of August.
• Stage 3: British Airways In-Person Final Assessment Centre - Scheduled from mid-September until the end of October.

Please keep these timelines in mind as you progress through the selection process.

What you’ll bring: Technical skills are important, but it’s your behaviours as a BA pilot that will really set you apart. You’ll need to demonstrate the passion and motivation to excel during the training programme, the ability to remain calm under pressure and solve problems. Your future role will also require you to be an effective team player that can make important decisions in a timely manner.

Your experience: You can apply at age 17 but must be aged 18-58 years on the 1st January 2027. You should have 6 GCSEs grade A-C or 4-9 including Maths, English Language and a Science or equivalent qualifications. If you have equivalent qualifications, please upload your certificates. You must be fluent in English and, if applicable, have an ICAO Level 6 on completion of training. Non-native English speakers must have achieved IELTS Level 5.5 overall, with no less than 5.5 in any individual area before starting at the flight school. You must have the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK without sponsorship and a valid passport which permits unrestricted worldwide travel. Your height should be between 1.57m (5'2') and 1.91m (6'3'). If your height is outside of this range, you can still apply but may have to complete a functionality test. Visible tattoos on head, face or hands are not permitted. You must have the ability to swim unaided (at least 50 metres) and tread water (at least 3 minutes). You should be able to obtain and hold a UK CAA Class 1 medical with no restrictions and meet British Airways medical criteria. Before training starts, you must have completed referencing and pre-employment checks to the satisfactory standard and supply satisfactory UK and international Criminal Record Checks. If you don't meet the criteria above, your application will not be progressed.

What we offer: We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. 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 will 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.

What’s included: Training to obtain a UK CAA fATPL, accommodation, food (FTEJerez) or food allowance (Skyborne), subsistence allowance, financial support to obtain your Class 1 medical and relevant Class 2/3.

Benefits we can offer you: Dynamic Career Path, Varied Roster Patterns, Company pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution), Life insurance benefits, Great family leave benefits.

Benefits as soon as you join: Unlimited 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, dental and critical illness cover, Technology scheme, Cycle to Work and Electric/Plug-in Hybrid car scheme, competitive salary plus your flight, nightly and time away allowance.

We have prepared a comprehensive FAQ document, please refer to it before contacting us. If you have any outstanding questions, please visit our Discussion forum on SPA Prep and Apply platform.

Inclusion & Diversity: At British Airways, we all have a part to play in creating an inclusive place to work. Diverse representation among our people is really important to us and we recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity and identity to work. Inclusion and diversity is a key driver of innovation and we’re committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they can be themselves. We’re looking for people from all backgrounds and cultures to join us and be a part of our journey to become a Better BA as we continue to connect Britain with the world and the world with Britain.