Flying comes with big responsibility, but it also brings good pay. So, how much do aircraft pilots make in the UK? New pilots (First Officers) usually earn around £30,000-£50,000, while experienced Captains at big airlines can make £100,000-£150,000. Top long-haul Captains can even earn more than £150,000-£200,000, especially with extra benefits. Pilots working in London or at busy airports often get higher pay because of the London premium.
A BA pilot pay is not just the basic salary. Airlines also give allowances for housing, flight hours, and bonuses, plus extra perks like travel discounts, pensions, and training. Pay depends on the airline, the type of plane, flight hours and experience. Long-haul flights usually pay more and rising demand in aviation is pushing salaries up. Flying is fun but tough, and the pay matches the work.
Let’s see how much airline pilots earn each year, from beginner pay to senior salaries, and what can change their income.
What Is the Average Pilot Salary UK in 2026?
In 2026, the average pilot salary airlines in the UK is around £52,000 to £64,000 per year, but it can differ a lot depending on experience and seniority. For example, new First Officers usually start at £30,000–£40,000, while experienced Captains at major airlines can earn between £100,000 and over £178,000. Pilots based in London or at busy airports often get higher pay because of the London premium. Additionally, salaries include allowances for housing, flight hours, and extra bonuses which can make a big difference to total pay.
Key 2026 Pilot Salary Info:
- Average Salary: About £64,145 per year.
- First Officer (Mid-career): Usually £54,000+, with senior first officers on large aircraft earning £100,000–£120,000.
- Captain: New captains on narrow-body planes often start in six figures, while long-haul senior captains can go above £167,000.
- Starting Salary: Newly qualified pilots often begin at £24,000–£35,000.
What Affects Pilot Pay:
- Airline Type: Big, long-haul airlines pay much more than smaller or regional airlines.
- Experience & Flight Hours: You earn more as you work longer, get higher rank, and fly more hours.
- Base vs. Total Pay: Salaries often include extra “sector pay” for each flight, plus bonuses, pension contributions and travel perks. Moreover, flying large planes or long-haul routes usually increases earnings.
- Industry Demand: Growing demand in aviation and pilot shortages can also push salaries higher. Finally, with the right experience and routes, becoming a pilot can be very rewarding, both for your career and your wallet.
How Much Do Aircraft Pilots Make Hourly and Annually?
Airline pilots in the UK usually earn between £30,000 and over £150,000 per year, depending on experience and airline. For example, experienced Captains at major airlines often earn £100,000–£167,000+, while new First Officers usually start at £30,000–£60,000. Also, hourly pay for flight instructors is about £15–£25, and senior pilots can earn much more depending on flying hours and extra sector pay.
Key UK Airline pilots wages uk(Per Year):
- New/Junior First Officer: £30,000 – £60,000
- Experienced First Officer (3–5 years): £40,000 – £85,000
- Medium Airline Captain: £55,000 – £75,000
- Major/Long-Haul Captain: £100,000 – £167,000+
- Average Salary: About £70,000 – £90,000
What Affects Pilot Pay:
- Experience: Salaries rise quickly from First Officer to Senior First Officer and then to Captain.
- Airline Type: Big airlines like British Airways usually pay more than smaller or low-cost airlines. Meanwhile, smaller carriers may offer less pay.
- Aircraft and Route: Long-haul flights on big planes usually pay more than short flights on smaller planes. In addition, senior pilots often earn bonuses for long flights.
- Pay Structure: Total salary often includes basic pay plus “sector pay”, which is extra money for each flight. Finally, extra allowances and perks can increase total earnings.
Hourly Pay:
- Flight Instructors: £15 – £25 per hour
- Airline Pilots: Most pilots are on annual salaries, but extra flight duty pay can add £2,000 – £9,000 on top of base pay, depending on hours flown.
What’s the Starting Salary for Cadet and Newly Qualified Pilots in the UK?
Starting a pilot career feels exciting, and many new pilots think about pay. In the UK, cadet and newly qualified pilots usually earn £35,000 to £60,000+ a year. Your salary depends on the airline, the type of aircraft, and any bonded training scheme. At the start, smaller airlines may pay less than large airlines. Bonded schemes can also lower early pay because pilots repay training costs.
Pilots earn more as they get experience and fly more hours. Also, airlines give higher pay and extra benefits for skill and seniority. Pilots on bigger planes or long flights usually make more. Moreover, new pilots often see pay grow quickly in a few years. The work is hard, but the better pay makes it worth it.
Do Long-Haul Pilots Earn More Than Short-Haul Pilots?
Yes, in the UK in 2026, long-haul pilots usually earn more than short-haul pilots. Long-haul Captains often make £55,000 to over £100,000+, while short-haul pilots typically earn £35,000–£60,000. For example, flying bigger planes like the A350 or B787 takes more skill and longer duty hours, which increases pay. Also, long-haul pilots get extra allowances for overnight stays abroad, which adds to their total salary.
Key 2026 UK Pilot Salary Comparisons:
- Long-Haul First Officers: Often start at £55,000+ per year
- Short-Haul First Officers (A320/B737): Usually earn £35,000–£60,000 per year
- Senior Long-Haul Captains: Can earn £100,000–£150,000+ per year
What Affects Pay:
- Allowances: Long-haul flights include extra pay for meals, hotels, and overnight stays. In addition, these perks make a big difference to total earnings.
- Airline Type: Big airlines like British Airways usually pay more than budget carriers. Meanwhile, smaller airlines often offer less.
- Experience & Rank: Seniority is key, with Captains earning much more than First Officers. Finally, years of experience and rank often outweigh the route itself in deciding pay.
While long-haul flying brings higher pay, short-haul pilots may enjoy more take-offs and landings. However, their total salary is usually lower compared to long-haul pilots.
What Allowances Increase Pilot Salary (Night-stops, Per Diem, Sectors)?
Pilot salaries are often boosted by different allowances and bonuses, especially at low-cost airlines where the base pay is lower. For example, these extra payments can add tens of thousands of pounds to a pilot’s yearly income.
Key Allowances That Increase Pay:
- Sector Pay / Flight Pay: Extra pay for each flight leg (take-off and landing). Longer flights usually pay more.
- Per Diem / Overnight Allowances: Daily payments to cover meals and hotels during layovers, often tax-free. Also, these allowances help cover extra costs while away from home.
- Time Away From Base (TAFB): Money for time spent away from the home airport during long or irregular shifts.
- Duty Pay / Premium Pay: Extra pay for working nights, weekends, or unsociable hours.
- Overtime Pay: Money for hours flown beyond the monthly contract.
- Role Uplifts / Responsibility Pay: Extra pay for training captains, instructors or examiners. In addition, bonuses like loyalty, performance, or safety rewards can add 3–10% of base pay.
- Housing and Education Allowances: Common in the Middle East, adding significant value.
- Tax Reliefs: Some expenses, like the UK Flat Rate Expense Allowance, reduce tax and increase take-home pay. Finally, all these extras together can make a big difference in a pilot’s total salary.
What Affects Allowances:
- Aircraft Type: Flying bigger, long-haul planes usually brings higher allowances.
- Seniority: Experienced pilots get higher bonuses and pay rates.
- Airline Type: Low-cost carriers rely on sector pay while big airlines often give higher base salaries. Meanwhile, airline policies and routes also play a role in total earnings.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Pilot in the UK?
To become a pilot in the UK, you need the right education, skills, medical clearance, and licence training. First, most pilots start training at 18 and can qualify for a full Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) by 21.
Education and Personal Requirements:
- GCSEs: At least 5 passes (Grade 4/C or above), including Maths, English and Science. Physics helps.
- Age: 18 or older to start training; 21 for ATPL.
- Language: Fluent in English, both speaking and writing.
- Skills: Good hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, communication, and ability to stay calm.
- Work Rights: Must have the right to live and work in the UK, EU, or Switzerland.
Medical and Assessments:
- Medical: Pass a CAA Class 1 Medical that checks eyesight, hearing and overall fitness.
- Skills Test: Pass technical and psychometric assessments before training. Next, these tests check your ability to handle pressure.
Licence and Training:
- Training Start: Begin at 18 with an Approved Training Organisation (ATO).
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL): Learn flight skills, including night and cross-country flying. Pass CPL tests.
- ATPL Theory: Pass 13 exams on Air Law, Meteorology, Navigation, and Principles of Flight. Then, you move closer to airline work.
- Frozen ATPL: After passing theory and CPL/IR, you can work as a First Officer.
- Full ATPL: After about 1,500 flight hours and required multi-pilot experience, you “unfreeze” your ATPL. Eventually, you can become a Captain.
Other Options:
- Private Pilot Licence (PPL): For hobby flying. Needs a Class 2 Medical. Can start at 17.
What Bonuses and Extra Pay Can UK Pilots Get in 2026?
UK pilots in 2026 earn more than just their basic salary. Notably, senior captains at big airlines can make over £150,000, and bonuses add even more money. Airlines also give sign-on bonuses, pensions of 7% or more, loss of licence insurance, and staff travel perks, which increase total pay.
Many airlines give profit-sharing, so pilots get a part of the company’s profits each year. Importantly, performance bonuses can add up to 5% of salary. Some airlines reward long service with loyalty bonuses, and sign-on bonuses help attract new pilots. Extra pay is also given for working days off or flying extra hours, adding thousands more to yearly income.
New First Officers usually earn £30,000 to £60,000, while experienced First Officers can earn around £71,000. Senior captains at big airlines can make £100,000 to £500,000+. At the same time, many airlines keep increasing salaries as more pilots are needed. Finally, all these bonuses and extras make the pilot pay higher and more rewarding.
Final Thought: How much do aircraft pilots make?
Becoming a pilot in the UK is exciting and rewarding. The job offers good pay, especially for experienced Captains and long-haul pilots. Besides salary, pilots get extra allowances, bonuses, and travel perks. Pay grows with experience, rank, and flight hours. While the work can be demanding, the rewards—financially and for your career—make it worth it.
If you want to learn more about pilot salaries, career paths, and tips for starting your journey, check out our full blog. It’s easy to read and full of useful information for anyone interested in flying.
FAQs: How much do aircraft pilots make?
1. Is pilot a stressful job?
- Yes, being a pilot can be stressful due to long hours, responsibility for passengers, and dealing with weather or technical issues.
2. What GCSE do you need to be a pilot?
- You usually need at least 5 GCSEs, including Maths, English, and Science. Physics helps too.
3. What does an easyJet pilot earn?
- EasyJet First Officers earn around £30,000–£60,000, while Captains can earn £80,000–£130,000 per year.
4. Why do so many pilots quit?
- Many pilots leave due to long hours, time away from home, stress, or better pay and work-life balance elsewhere.
5. What is a pilot retirement age?
- In the UK and Europe, airline pilots must retire at age 65.
6. Which airline has the highest paid pilot?
- Major long-haul airlines like British Airways and Emirates often pay the highest pilot salaries.
7. Do pilots have a lot of debt?
- Yes, many pilots have student loans or training debt which can be tens of thousands of pounds.
8. Which pilot has the highest salary?
- Senior long-haul Captains at big airlines, especially on large aircraft, earn the highest salaries, over £150,000–£200,000.
9. What do British Airways pilots earn?
- British Airways First Officers earn around £50,000–£85,000, while Captains can earn £100,000–£170,000+ per year.
