Virgin Recruiting
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: in the sky
What is a typical roster like on the Airbus fleet at the moment?
is there more of a benefit to being single fleet on a A330 or A350?
or is everyone flying both?
Any movement towards 3 days off after each trip like BA?
Any info appreciated
is there more of a benefit to being single fleet on a A330 or A350?
or is everyone flying both?
Any movement towards 3 days off after each trip like BA?
Any info appreciated
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: UK
Part-time wait is considerable. The fleet is under crewed and no end in sight. Older guys are retiring early, people taking part time to try and get some respite, which just makes the issue worse. The running joke is part time only means a part time wage with a full time roster squashed into a shorter time frame.
Airbus expect 5+ trips a month, alot of it to repetitive destinations especially on 350, 2 man , one night, two or occasional 3 days off then rinse and repeat.
Unless the company choose to reduce the flying program nobody sees this changing anytime soon. Endless "talks" between company and union seem to produce no change. People are voting with their feet.
Pay/benefits/ etc are pretty good, but the issue is rosters and pilot numbers.
Boeing pilot numbers are in a better state and a more relaxed/happy fleet there.
New CEO, so perhaps some changes coming.
Anyone with commercial flying experience and uk licence would be considered right now.
Airbus expect 5+ trips a month, alot of it to repetitive destinations especially on 350, 2 man , one night, two or occasional 3 days off then rinse and repeat.
Unless the company choose to reduce the flying program nobody sees this changing anytime soon. Endless "talks" between company and union seem to produce no change. People are voting with their feet.
Pay/benefits/ etc are pretty good, but the issue is rosters and pilot numbers.
Boeing pilot numbers are in a better state and a more relaxed/happy fleet there.
New CEO, so perhaps some changes coming.
Anyone with commercial flying experience and uk licence would be considered right now.
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
Likes: 8
From: UK
VS will haemorrhage pilots further this year as they have not honoured a contract that should have been implemented over a year ago. Their desire to recruit younger/low hours/inexperienced pilots to the airline has backfired on them in a huge way, namely in retention issues. Why would a 20-something year-old pilot stay at VS, when they're stuck in a cycle of trip-2 days off, trip-2 days off, when BA are offering more days off, on a bigger network, with three-pilots, with options on short haul also?
A recent change of CEO might cast a fresh set of eyes on this glaringly obvious issue, otherwise; expect more revolving door recruitment and potentially cancelled flights this summer.
A recent change of CEO might cast a fresh set of eyes on this glaringly obvious issue, otherwise; expect more revolving door recruitment and potentially cancelled flights this summer.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 35
From: Home
VS will haemorrhage pilots further this year as they have not honoured a contract that should have been implemented over a year ago. Their desire to recruit younger/low hours/inexperienced pilots to the airline has backfired on them in a huge way, namely in retention issues. Why would a 20-something year-old pilot stay at VS, when they're stuck in a cycle of trip-2 days off, trip-2 days off, when BA are offering more days off, on a bigger network, with three-pilots, with options on short haul also?
A recent change of CEO might cast a fresh set of eyes on this glaringly obvious issue, otherwise; expect more revolving door recruitment and potentially cancelled flights this summer.
A recent change of CEO might cast a fresh set of eyes on this glaringly obvious issue, otherwise; expect more revolving door recruitment and potentially cancelled flights this summer.
Joined: Aug 2025
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Delhi
Has anyone heard of when and if the compressed roster will be offered? I know they’ve trialled it with a handful of guys but keen to hear if anyone had any info if its something they would implement?
Are there any further possible changes to contracts as pay talks are soon due I believe.
Are there any further possible changes to contracts as pay talks are soon due I believe.
Joined: Apr 2013
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 368
Likes: 88
From: Neither here or there
When comparing money to the amount of work, I think the best paid LH pilots in the UK are at European Cargo and One Air. They're doing 2 (and very very rarely 3) trips per month with no time in employment linked salary structures. Both looking for family-type rated FOs.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 231
Likes: 9
From: Earth
Pilots continue to leave Virgin, including even to EuroFlyer.
Those on the easyJet scheme that came over to fly Airbus for 3 years , are leaving to go back early to EasyJet.
life style on the A330 and A350 is rubbish with mostly 1 x night 2 man trips. Virgin are returning 3 x Boeing 787’s to the leasing companies, when airlines want them and trying to move Boeing pilots and trainers over to the Airbus, of which hardly anyone is volunteering for.
of those recruited during the previously 12 months, it did not increase pilot numbers and did not completely replace the numbers that left for other airlines like emirates , BA, Jet 2 and EasyJet etc.
The union agreements previously negotiated, not completely implemented still.
Although the company did carry higher passenger numbers and had increased revenues, it did not declare a profit and instead a loss for the previous financial year.
Virgin is no longer a place to join as it was in the past and is just another airline. Try to avoid Virgin and go elsewhere
Those on the easyJet scheme that came over to fly Airbus for 3 years , are leaving to go back early to EasyJet.
life style on the A330 and A350 is rubbish with mostly 1 x night 2 man trips. Virgin are returning 3 x Boeing 787’s to the leasing companies, when airlines want them and trying to move Boeing pilots and trainers over to the Airbus, of which hardly anyone is volunteering for.
of those recruited during the previously 12 months, it did not increase pilot numbers and did not completely replace the numbers that left for other airlines like emirates , BA, Jet 2 and EasyJet etc.
The union agreements previously negotiated, not completely implemented still.
Although the company did carry higher passenger numbers and had increased revenues, it did not declare a profit and instead a loss for the previous financial year.
Virgin is no longer a place to join as it was in the past and is just another airline. Try to avoid Virgin and go elsewhere
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 457
Likes: 2
From: Down a Tin mine......
Hi there, just found this old thread and rather than starting a new one thought I would revive it. Does anyone have any information on the Sim Assessment for Virgin Atlantic ?? And the interview ? Would be most grateful for any information from anyone who has been through it either via a PM or on this thread
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 35
From: Home
Understood. I have a relative on the Airbus Fleet, comparing their roster with the 787 Fleet, looks like a different Airline. The 787 fleet seem to do half, the work, three pilot flight deck, as opposed to for example a 2 pilot Florida Airbus trip, and great destinations it seems!
Last edited by cessnapete; 13th March 2026 at 15:19.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: holland
The Boeing 787 fleet has no command upgrades for 2 years minimum, management are trying to convince crew to move to the Airbus as they are over crewed with 3 x 787 airframes going back to the leasing company. VS is the only company sending 787's airframes back..
Rumors going around that Virgin are looking to stop / pause recruitment with the oil going up and Middle East conflict.
Still many Airbus and Boeing flight deck leaving the company every month for other opportunities like BA etc.
Rumors going around that Virgin are looking to stop / pause recruitment with the oil going up and Middle East conflict.
Still many Airbus and Boeing flight deck leaving the company every month for other opportunities like BA etc.
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: London
Recruitment is NOT paused for pilots at VS... especially those who will go on the 330/350. There are no requirements for the 787 fleet at the moment, but that doesn't stop one from taking an Airbus position.
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 43
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
The Boeing 787 fleet has no command upgrades for 2 years minimum, management are trying to convince crew to move to the Airbus as they are over crewed with 3 x 787 airframes going back to the leasing company. VS is the only company sending 787's airframes back..
Rumors going around that Virgin are looking to stop / pause recruitment with the oil going up and Middle East conflict.
Still many Airbus and Boeing flight deck leaving the company every month for other opportunities like BA etc.
Rumors going around that Virgin are looking to stop / pause recruitment with the oil going up and Middle East conflict.
Still many Airbus and Boeing flight deck leaving the company every month for other opportunities like BA etc.
Would you go to a company that struggles to make a profit when there is a conflict in the world that has potential to spread and that is already having a huge impact on fuel costs? Personally I’d sit tight where you are for a year or two, see if Virgin survives.
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 6
Likes: 2
From: Lincs
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 139
Likes: 2
From: LHR and beyond
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 575
Likes: 431
From: Outbush
Kindly get all the facts