Without wishing to be cynical: the one you can get a job with and which doesn't go bust before you retire. All of the above are probably considered good employers in the UK industry.
As for pay, have a look at BALPA's tables of pay scales for the airlines. And lifestyle-wise it depends what you want to do; if you want to fly short-haul, don't apply to Virgin.
Good luck!
Last edited by Brakes...beer; 7th June 2002 at 16:39.