British Airways Direct Entry Pilot
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 995
Likes: 100
From: Botswana
(380 Pilot for full disclosure, never worked with a couple of the known 350 names but have flown with quite a few of them on the 320 including two who I never want to see again in my lifetime).
Last edited by RexBanner; 15th October 2025 at 13:45.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 132
Likes: 41
From: 370
Current 350 pilot and I think the fleet is very laid back, I really enjoy it and it’s a very, very sociable fleet downroute. Couple of ex 320 characters who’ve relaxed since flying beyond the edges of Europe. There’s a couple of characters, but I think every fleet have their celebrities.
Joined: Jan 2025
Aviation Qualifications: SLF
Posts: 166
Likes: 137
From: Mars
The fleet doesn't matter, only LH v SH (which is the same in Y1 anyway)
The basic is 75,600 GBP + flight pay
You can expect around 500GBP for 3 day trips and around 800/900 GBP for 4/5 day trips. Nobody seems to be doing more than 4 trips a month.
The basic is 75,600 GBP + flight pay
You can expect around 500GBP for 3 day trips and around 800/900 GBP for 4/5 day trips. Nobody seems to be doing more than 4 trips a month.
Joined: Oct 2025
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: UK
Can anyone advise if there is still a 5/6 year wait / seat lock if you join on the 320 before you can bid onto long haul, or are people managing to get over to long haul quicker now? How long is a seat lock when you change fleet?
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 183
Likes: 41
From: UK
Changing fleets is an Aspirational freeze. These are 4yrs (Airbus-airbus) or 6yrs (Boeing-Airbus or vice versa).
There's also a command freeze when you do command on type which is 4yrs.
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 898
Likes: 73
From: UK
There appear to be some very junior moves from short haul FO to FO 777 and 787 in the bid output for next year. I have not spent much time investigating, but they do at first glance appear to be being released from both type and engagement freezes. Next year’s training requirement on the 777 and 787 is going to be particularly high though, with the grounded 787s returning to flying and the subsequent return of 777 seconded 787 pilots, back to the 787.
Joined: Jun 2024
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Zurich
Hi all, appreciate any insights on the latest BA Second Officer recruitment campaign. It's for type rated Second Officers with less than 500 hours. Who exactly is that designed to capture?
1. Does this imply the pure cadet positions are now being filled by Speedbird but there is a still a demand for low hours pilots?
2. The job description mentions type rating and base training but not line training. Does this tacitly signal modular students are encouraged to do a self funded TR and base training?
1. Does this imply the pure cadet positions are now being filled by Speedbird but there is a still a demand for low hours pilots?
2. The job description mentions type rating and base training but not line training. Does this tacitly signal modular students are encouraged to do a self funded TR and base training?
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hi all. I imagine this will get buried here but I'll give it a try anyway.
I'm wanting to apply to the LH FO position and see that it closes 2/12/2025. As much as I would love to fling in an application now I have a newborn at home, which is not conducive to studying for an assessment!
Is the position definitely closing or is it likely to be pushed back or open up again next year?
I'm wanting to apply to the LH FO position and see that it closes 2/12/2025. As much as I would love to fling in an application now I have a newborn at home, which is not conducive to studying for an assessment!
Is the position definitely closing or is it likely to be pushed back or open up again next year?
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: ABERDEEN
Hi all. I imagine this will get buried here but I'll give it a try anyway.
I'm wanting to apply to the LH FO position and see that it closes 2/12/2025. As much as I would love to fling in an application now I have a newborn at home, which is not conducive to studying for an assessment!
Is the position definitely closing or is it likely to be pushed back or open up again next year?
I'm wanting to apply to the LH FO position and see that it closes 2/12/2025. As much as I would love to fling in an application now I have a newborn at home, which is not conducive to studying for an assessment!
Is the position definitely closing or is it likely to be pushed back or open up again next year?
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: UK
I had a similar dilemma last year, as it turned out the closing date was indeed extended (and has been ever since). I also decided to stay on the safe side and submit an application, at least once it's in the system there's no deadline for completing the process. I ended up taking a bit longer to attend all the assessments as I was very busy, and also wanted to make sure I was fully prepared for each stage. Better to take a bit longer to maximise your chances than rush through it and end up having to re-apply in 6/12 months. You may get an email from the recruitment team to ask if you still want to continue with your application, as long as you respond then there should be no issue.
How long were you able to delay the process for?
I am of the same thinking of you too. I want to make sure that I give myself the best chance possible
Joined: Oct 2025
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
If so, that's confusing to here because I know some people training via Speed bird and also us whitetail cadets, we got told that as a y1 SH LHR FO, you can certainly expect to add ~25k/yr to base pay (if anyone could clarify what kind of trips would be required to achieve this that would be really insightful!). But if that's the case, how can it be more for SH than a LH FO?
Thanks in advance and apologies if I've not written that in the best way! Hopefully you get what I mean
