Virgin Recruiting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 8
From: UK
Command isn't guaranteed, remember. Everyone talking about time to command, but 'time to command opportunity', is probably a better way of looking at it. Plenty of career FO's at Virgin . . . some don't even realise that.
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 5
From: Oviedo
14/15 years
That’s a valid point, however in this case we’re talking about a company that is actually replacing , a huge batch of older pilots that are retiring and/or taking 50% part time, with very very young ones. Such big retirement drives happens once in so many years. On top of that there’s the issue of growth, Virgin will not grow nor can it grow, so technically you’re only replacing jockeys and not really adding more. Their growth is restricted by the limits at LHR but it’s safe to say that this is their size of choice as well, they have no aspiration of being a larger carrier, so 14/15 years is a more realistic view of command time.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 231
Likes: 9
From: Earth
Virgin currently have a large number of pilots in the BA holding pool waiting start dates, especially those from the Airbus fleet who have been flogged to death with the difficult rosters.
People are still leaving every month to other Airlines in the U.K and abroad. The company cannot keep the younger pilots and sickness / fatigue is higher with some trainers stepping down for life style. The part time contracts promised have not been fulfilled and attempts are being made to address these now. Some retirements are now being taken sooner as well. The overall rating and leadership of the CEO and management team is very poor, your find this as well when reading GlassDoor https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Overview...4307.11,26.htm
People are still leaving every month to other Airlines in the U.K and abroad. The company cannot keep the younger pilots and sickness / fatigue is higher with some trainers stepping down for life style. The part time contracts promised have not been fulfilled and attempts are being made to address these now. Some retirements are now being taken sooner as well. The overall rating and leadership of the CEO and management team is very poor, your find this as well when reading GlassDoor https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Overview...4307.11,26.htm
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 42
From: UK
The attraction of VS for a a lot of people was always lifestyle... 750hr contract, good trips, time at home and constructive relationship with management etc etc.
None of that really exists any more, so if you're in your 20s or 30s I personally think you'd be bonkers to choose VS over BA.
The only thing that's really good now is that it's still a bunch of good people when the doors are closed, and we don't have to wear hats.
None of that really exists any more, so if you're in your 20s or 30s I personally think you'd be bonkers to choose VS over BA.
The only thing that's really good now is that it's still a bunch of good people when the doors are closed, and we don't have to wear hats.
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 241
Likes: 47
From: Runcorn,Cheshire,England
While I don’t wish to diminish anyone’s personal experience-particularly when it involves something as serious as harassment-it’s important to approach claims like these with a degree of balance and factual scrutiny. Virgin Atlantic is a relatively small airline in terms of pilot community, and word travels fast. If this kind of systemic issue were as widespread as suggested, I believe more of us would be aware of it. As someone actively flying for the airline, I’ve neither witnessed nor heard of anything that supports the notion that this kind of behaviour is common or tolerated.
To describe a “number”of Virgin pilots as being involved in harassment, based on one individual’s serious (but singular) allegation, feels misleading. That there may be isolated incidents-yes, as with any airline or professional environment-but it’s reductive to characterise an entire group of pilots, or the company culture as a whole, on that basis. Every airline has its share of difficult personalities; this is not unique to Virgin, nor does it imply a cultural failing.
From my own perspective, Virgin’s flight crew management and training department set high standards of professionalism and behaviour. In my experience, they do not hesitate to act when those standards are breached. If the internal investigation referenced in the original statement did indeed find that harassment occurred, I would be surprised if it was genuinely “covered up” without further action or consequences-particularly in the current climate, where corporate accountability is under immense scrutiny.
Allegations of this nature deserve to be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly-but they must also be presented responsibly. Generalising from a single legal dispute risks painting an inaccurate picture of a company that, in my time here, has demonstrated a clear commitment to professionalism, respect, and accountability.
To describe a “number”of Virgin pilots as being involved in harassment, based on one individual’s serious (but singular) allegation, feels misleading. That there may be isolated incidents-yes, as with any airline or professional environment-but it’s reductive to characterise an entire group of pilots, or the company culture as a whole, on that basis. Every airline has its share of difficult personalities; this is not unique to Virgin, nor does it imply a cultural failing.
From my own perspective, Virgin’s flight crew management and training department set high standards of professionalism and behaviour. In my experience, they do not hesitate to act when those standards are breached. If the internal investigation referenced in the original statement did indeed find that harassment occurred, I would be surprised if it was genuinely “covered up” without further action or consequences-particularly in the current climate, where corporate accountability is under immense scrutiny.
Allegations of this nature deserve to be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly-but they must also be presented responsibly. Generalising from a single legal dispute risks painting an inaccurate picture of a company that, in my time here, has demonstrated a clear commitment to professionalism, respect, and accountability.
I agree wholeheartedly that behaviour of this nature must be stamped out and anyone guilty of harassment must be held to account; but I find it rather hard to believe that these days in an organisation as accepting and diverse as VA, that a number of male would harass a single individual.
there must be more to this than meets the eye.
Joined: Aug 2025
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Delhi
Is there any update regarding possibly also making 3 days off after trips on the 350 a thing? I know BA are trialling it and trying to tempt virgin guys by paying off their bonds and heading to BA. I was told that Virgin might have to match that sort of rostering in order to keep people or bring people on perhaps. Is there any truth to that? And would the compressed roster also come to fruition?
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 43
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
so one female FO was sexually harassed by a number of presumably male pilots? Really?
I agree wholeheartedly that behaviour of this nature must be stamped out and anyone guilty of harassment must be held to account; but I find it rather hard to believe that these days in an organisation as accepting and diverse as VA, that a number of male would harass a single individual.
there must be more to this than meets the eye.
I agree wholeheartedly that behaviour of this nature must be stamped out and anyone guilty of harassment must be held to account; but I find it rather hard to believe that these days in an organisation as accepting and diverse as VA, that a number of male would harass a single individual.
there must be more to this than meets the eye.
Why can’t we guys just believe a woman when she calls out this kind of behaviour?
Stop making excuses for the behaviour of people who should know better. They should have more important things on their minds at work than a colleagues genitalia.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 25
From: UK
If the accused did it they deserve the book thrown at them, but everyone has a right to prove their innocence when accused of something.
It’s ludicrous to suggest that someone can make an accusation and ‘just be believed’ because of who or what they are and what the accusation consists of. Who knows, it could be you next.
Last edited by DuctOvht; 30th October 2025 at 07:01.
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 43
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
I personally do know a woman from VAA who received what she could describe due to legal restrictions as a “a substantial confidential settlement.” Companies don’t pay that if there has been no wrongdoing.
And she’s not the only one? Only recently the company settled out of court a claim made by several pilots. Maybe if VAA behaved and didn’t have to keep paying millions in legal costs at regular intervals they might actually make a sustainable profit?
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 25
From: UK
Exactly that. The first step to fixing a problem is acknowledging the problem exists. Reactions like the one from DuctOvht allow the problem to get worse not better.
I personally do know a woman from VAA who received what she could describe due to legal restrictions as a “a substantial confidential settlement.” Companies don’t pay that if there has been no wrongdoing.
And she’s not the only one? Only recently the company settled out of court a claim made by several pilots. Maybe if VAA behaved and didn’t have to keep paying millions in legal costs at regular intervals they might actually make a sustainable profit?
I personally do know a woman from VAA who received what she could describe due to legal restrictions as a “a substantial confidential settlement.” Companies don’t pay that if there has been no wrongdoing.
And she’s not the only one? Only recently the company settled out of court a claim made by several pilots. Maybe if VAA behaved and didn’t have to keep paying millions in legal costs at regular intervals they might actually make a sustainable profit?
It’s 2025, there’s not a single right thinking person out there that doesn’t believe a problem can, and does, exist in some quarters and there are also too many men out there who don’t seem to have a grasp of how to treat others. Additionally, if Virgin has an institutional issue here then it is valid they’re called out on it. However, that doesn’t mean that an accusation from one person to another automatically confers guilt I’m afraid, no matter how much you might want it to. Our whole legal system is predicated on the notion that someone is innocent until proven guilty, although that centuries old precedent is under threat like never before. I have no skin in this particular game, but that sort of nonsense thinking (that someone, anyone, making an accusation of any sort be just ‘believed’) can’t go unchallenged.
Anyway, this is wildly off thread so I’ll leave it at that.
Last edited by DuctOvht; 30th October 2025 at 10:45.
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 43
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
Way to miss the point!
Believing in due process, justice and accountability is wrong? Pull the other one. I’m responding to what you wrote by the way, not what you might have tangentially inferred.
It’s 2025, there’s not a single right thinking person out there that doesn’t believe a problem can, and does, exist in some quarters and there are also too many men out there who don’t seem to have a grasp of how to treat others. Additionally, if Virgin has an institutional issue here then it is valid they’re called out on it. However, that doesn’t mean that an accusation from one person to another automatically confers guilt I’m afraid, no matter how much you might want it to. Our whole legal system is predicated on the notion that someone is innocent until proven guilty, although that centuries old precedent is under threat like never before. I have no skin in this particular game, but that sort of nonsense thinking (that someone, anyone, making an accusation of any sort be just ‘believed’) can’t go unchallenged.
Anyway, this is wildly off thread so I’ll leave it at that.
It’s 2025, there’s not a single right thinking person out there that doesn’t believe a problem can, and does, exist in some quarters and there are also too many men out there who don’t seem to have a grasp of how to treat others. Additionally, if Virgin has an institutional issue here then it is valid they’re called out on it. However, that doesn’t mean that an accusation from one person to another automatically confers guilt I’m afraid, no matter how much you might want it to. Our whole legal system is predicated on the notion that someone is innocent until proven guilty, although that centuries old precedent is under threat like never before. I have no skin in this particular game, but that sort of nonsense thinking (that someone, anyone, making an accusation of any sort be just ‘believed’) can’t go unchallenged.
Anyway, this is wildly off thread so I’ll leave it at that.
I will say it again. The first step to addressing a problem is acknowledging there is a problem, and then investigating and dealing with the problem. Or do you think we shouldn’t?
Should we just dismiss our female colleagues out of hand if they make a complaint, I for one wouldn’t.
No we should listen to them, believe them and then investigate the facts fully and address the issues causing them to believe they are being harassed or worse. And you know what that’s exactly what we should do if it’s a male colleague making a claim against a female or any other combination.
The simple facts are VAA have repeatedly payed out substantially at the last second sometimes before the case hearings even get started, That show there is a problem, how deep that goes is for others to establish but no one pays out like that if there isn’t a problem of some kind.
End of the day bullying and harassment are one and the same, and just as disgusting.
Joined: Jan 2026
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
From: London
Anyone knows if virgin will reopen Boeing recruitment again, or if it would it be possible to apply for an airbus position as a Boeing rated pilot. Also would they reopen second officer positions?
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: UK
There is a reason recruitment is difficult especially on the Airbus. There is about to be a retention problem on that fleet to add to the daily grind.
Joined: Jan 2026
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
From: London
I suspect they will consider anyone with a pulse right now. If you are applying for Airbus though ask around and get sight of some typical rosters.
There is a reason recruitment is difficult especially on the Airbus. There is about to be a retention problem on that fleet to add to the daily grind.
There is a reason recruitment is difficult especially on the Airbus. There is about to be a retention problem on that fleet to add to the daily grind.
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 446
Likes: 7
From: Germany
Hi Folks,
I wanted to know if anyone has any info regarding the assessment itself.
How does it look? Which Psychometrics System do they use?
In the past they used for the sim assessment a 737 sim in Crawley, but seemingly now it is Airbus. Is Airbus also used for 787 guys? As right now I fly 747 and in VAA I would apply for 787 SFO.
Looking forward to some info.
Thanks.
I wanted to know if anyone has any info regarding the assessment itself.
How does it look? Which Psychometrics System do they use?
In the past they used for the sim assessment a 737 sim in Crawley, but seemingly now it is Airbus. Is Airbus also used for 787 guys? As right now I fly 747 and in VAA I would apply for 787 SFO.
Looking forward to some info.
Thanks.