First Officer/Senior First Officer – Boeing
First Officer/Senior First Officer – Boeing

First Officer/Senior First Officer – Boeing

Hounslow Full-Time 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Go Premium
Virgin Atlantic Cargo

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Fly Boeing 787s to glamorous destinations while ensuring safety and operational excellence.
  • Company: Join Virgin Atlantic, the UK's only exclusively long-haul airline with a commitment to diversity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible contracts, generous leave, and industry-leading training opportunities.
  • Why this job: Be part of a high-energy team that values respect, teamwork, and personal growth in aviation.
  • Qualifications: Must have 1500+ hours flight time and a current UK Class One Medical.
  • Other info: We celebrate diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

Join to apply for the First Officer/Senior First Officer – Boeing role at Virgin Atlantic Cargo.

Job Details

  • Salary: Competitive plus excellent benefits
  • Fleet Type: Boeing
  • Contract: Permanent
  • Location: London Heathrow

In a nutshell

We’re not like other carriers. As the UK’s only exclusively long-haul airline, you’ll operate from Heathrow to some of the world’s most glamorous destinations, and when it comes to office views, our pilots have the best. Working on one of the most technologically advanced aircraft around, you’ll be flying the Boeing 787s to some of the most luxurious destinations.

Day to day

When operating, you will demonstrate excellent aircraft handling ability, extensive procedural and technical knowledge, strong leadership, and outstanding human factors. All of which will give you the passion and drive to be a future Commander here at Virgin Atlantic Airways. As a high-performing and motivated professional pilot, you will give our customers an exceptional journey, delivering consistent operational excellence in the sky whilst maintaining our high safety standards. You'll be leading our operation and taking pride in making values-based decisions in the air and on the ground.

What We Offer

At Virgin Atlantic, we’re committed to the development and wellbeing of our pilots, providing competitive salaries, industry-leading training, secure contracts, and plenty of opportunities to develop your career to Senior First Officer and Captain. The Virgin Atlantic rewards and benefits package reflects our inclusive culture and values and is designed to reward, support, and develop our people as they take on the world in their own way. As part of this commitment, we offer a range of core benefits beyond a competitive salary to everyone who joins.

You’ll Also Receive

  • Four types of contracts to consider that can support you throughout your pilot career
  • Ten confirmed days off every 12 months, in addition to 35 days of annual leave
  • Flexibility to swap duties with colleagues
  • Nine different duty preferences, including early/late and specific regions of the world
  • Ability to earn excellent extra working and disruption pay when volunteering for overtime
  • Industry leading training and career opportunities
  • Private Medical Scheme
  • Life Insurance and Income Protection
  • Loss of license cover, including injury and illness
  • Generous contributory pension scheme (up to 15% company contribution)
  • Industry-leading Staff Travel benefits
  • Access to our employee assistance programme and Digital GP service
  • Virgin Group Discounts
  • A high-energy work environment that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and several internal networks for support, guidance, and assistance in the workplace

About You

Our Pilot community is made up of diverse backgrounds, so respect and teamwork are fundamental. If you have a genuine passion for flying and for all aspects of aviation and want to play a key role in helping us to become the ‘Most Loved’ Travel Company, why not apply today?

To Be Suitable, You'll Need

  • A minimum experience of 1500 hours (FO)/ 3000 hours (SFO) of flight time on a multi-pilot turbojet or a multi-pilot turbo-prop aeroplane, having a maximum take-off mass of not less than 10 tonnes or a certificated passenger seating configuration of more than 19 passengers
  • Current and Qualified on the 737, 747, 757, 767, 777 or 787
  • Hold a current UK Class One Medical
  • Unfrozen ATPL license issued by the UK CAA on the date of joining
  • The ability to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English (certified as ICAO level 6 English Proficiency when applying)

Be yourself

Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive.

At Virgin Atlantic, our leaders empower teams to thrive through collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Explore our Leadership Recipe and discover the 20 core ingredients that define what it means to lead with us, driving our mission to be the most loved travel company and achieve sustainable profit.

First Officer/Senior First Officer – Boeing employer: Virgin Atlantic Cargo

At Virgin Atlantic Cargo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering our pilots a unique opportunity to operate from London Heathrow to some of the world's most glamorous destinations aboard state-of-the-art Boeing 787s. Our commitment to employee development is reflected in our competitive salaries, industry-leading training, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every team member can thrive and grow in their aviation career.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo

Contact Detail:

Virgin Atlantic Cargo Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land First Officer/Senior First Officer – Boeing

✨Tip Number 1

Network with current and former pilots at Virgin Atlantic. Engaging with them can provide you with insider knowledge about the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the Boeing 787's systems and operations. Being well-versed in the specifics of the aircraft will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment and expertise to the hiring team.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for situational and behavioural interview questions by reflecting on your past experiences. Think about how you've demonstrated leadership and teamwork in high-pressure situations, as these qualities are crucial for a First Officer.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on the latest aviation regulations and safety standards. Showing that you are proactive about your professional development can set you apart from other candidates and align with Virgin Atlantic's commitment to operational excellence.

We think you need these skills to ace First Officer/Senior First Officer – Boeing

Aircraft Handling Ability
Extensive Procedural Knowledge
Technical Knowledge of Boeing Aircraft
Leadership Skills
Human Factors Awareness
Operational Excellence
Safety Standards Compliance
Communication Skills
Teamwork and Collaboration
Problem-Solving Skills
High Level of Proficiency in English (ICAO Level 6)
Adaptability to Diverse Environments
Customer Service Orientation
Decision-Making Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the First Officer/Senior First Officer position at Virgin Atlantic. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their expectations.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your flight hours and any specific aircraft experience, particularly with Boeing models. Mention your leadership skills and any relevant training that showcases your ability to operate in a high-performance environment.

Showcase Your Passion for Aviation: Use your cover letter to express your genuine passion for flying and aviation. Share any personal anecdotes or experiences that demonstrate your commitment to the industry and how you align with Virgin Atlantic's values.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials. Ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors, as attention to detail is crucial in aviation roles. A polished application reflects your professionalism and dedication.

How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Atlantic Cargo

✨Know Your Aircraft

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Boeing 787 and its systems. Be prepared to discuss your experience with similar aircraft and demonstrate your technical knowledge during the interview.

✨Showcase Leadership Skills

As a First Officer or Senior First Officer, leadership is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully led a team or made critical decisions under pressure.

✨Emphasise Safety Standards

Virgin Atlantic places a high priority on safety. Be ready to discuss how you ensure safety in your operations and any relevant training or certifications that highlight your commitment to maintaining high safety standards.

✨Demonstrate Cultural Fit

Virgin Atlantic values diversity and teamwork. Be yourself and share experiences that reflect your ability to work in diverse teams and contribute to an inclusive environment.

First Officer/Senior First Officer – Boeing
Virgin Atlantic Cargo
Location: Hounslow
Go Premium

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>