Show me the money
While most pilots join this industry due to passion, money is always pleasant and we need money to buy the things in life we like. So how much does a U.K based pilot earn? This post will discuss the salaries of first officers (year 1) starting out their careers for U.K based airlines.
Each airline pays its pilots differently. Essentially, a pilot receives a salary, then on top of this salary, they will receive allowances. Usually, an additional amount of money is paid per flight (also called sector pay) or a payment per hour of flying time (defined as chocks off to chocks on). Some airlines pay a higher base salary and lower allowances, whereas others pay a lower base salary and much higher allowances.
Therefore, each pilot doesn’t earn exactly the same. The figures below are based on full-time salaries, 850 hours of flying per year, 1300 duty hours (time spent at work), 300 sectors of flying, and 50 night stops a year. This post doesn’t talk about fringe benefits like pension, staff travel, private healthcare, time to command or profit share schemes, etc. Cash money only.
British Airways (Heathrow base)
Base salary:£65,909
Flying pay: £10.35 (per hour)
Time away from base: £4.48 per hour
Nightstop: £10
Estimated annual earnings: £81,031
See here for British Airways interview questions.
British Airways (Gatwick base)
Base salary: £51,321
Flying pay: £11.44
Per diem: £2.60
Estimated annual earnings: £61,435
See here for British Airways interview questions.
Easyjet (UK Base)
Base salary: £48,918
Sector pay: Not applicable for the first 1250 hours of flying.
Night stop: £40
Estimated annual earnings: £50,918
Jet2
Base salary: £57,626
Sector pay: Not applicable until promotion to first officer (you start as a second officer)
Estimated annual earnings: £57,626
Ryanair
Base salary: £39,000
Flying pay: £20 per block hour
Estimated annual take home: £56,000
Virgin Atlantic
Base salary: £62,000 (cruise relief pilot)
Estimated annual earnings: £62,000
Wizz Air
Base salary: £28.092
Flying pay: £30,000 (paid £21 per sector and £0.036 per km flown)
Estimated annual earnings: £58,092
For in-depth breakdowns please see https://www.pilotjobsnetwork.com/