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jackbequick 11th January 2026 21:50

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

U563 11th January 2026 22:25

Would anyone know how many years the wait is currently to get onto a part time contract, Airbus RHS?

340neo 12th January 2026 08:22

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.

Akrapovic 12th January 2026 08:57

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.

cessnapete 12th January 2026 13:45


Originally Posted by Akrapovic (Post 12018960)
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.

Why don't Virgin direct junior B787 pilots onto the A350/330 Fleets? The 787 fleet is heavily overcrewed in comparison with the Airbus. And presumably RR engine problems make the 787 roster even lighter.

summerdreams2025 13th January 2026 01:55

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.

CW247 13th January 2026 12:43

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.

turbine100 8th February 2026 21:55

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

Whispering Giant 12th March 2026 19:08

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

cessnapete 13th March 2026 09:07

Surely Virgin have Seniority system? If there are no volunteers for required fleet movements, the most junior pilots are Directed by the company.

kmw63 13th March 2026 12:48

Airbus rosters are so bad that anyone so directed is (by definition) junior enough to go elsewhere easily. You'd simply generate crewing shortfalls on both fleets.

cessnapete 13th March 2026 15:08


Originally Posted by kmw63 (Post 12051641)
Airbus rosters are so bad that anyone so directed is (by definition) junior enough to go elsewhere easily. You'd simply generate crewing shortfalls on both fleets.


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!

pipercub10 22nd March 2026 13:06

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.

Rebelcounty 27th March 2026 13:03

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.

Ohfeck 30th March 2026 06:29


Originally Posted by pipercub10 (Post 12056524)
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.

Remember in any time of economic uncertainty Virgin are always the fist airline to “pause” recruitment before they offloading staff.

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.

pipercub10 31st March 2026 03:41

The Virgin CEO announced a stop to recruitment in a internal communication.

Newhairdo 31st March 2026 04:15


Originally Posted by pipercub10 (Post 12061817)
The Virgin CEO announced a stop to recruitment in a internal communication.

Smart move in the circumstances

5_Uniform 31st March 2026 08:40


Originally Posted by pipercub10 (Post 12061817)
The Virgin CEO announced a stop to recruitment in a internal communication.

Is that what he said? Pretty sure there was another half to the sentence you are paraphrasing there, if you're in the company and saw the internal communication. You should probably share that also.

fast cruiser 5th April 2026 21:08


Originally Posted by pipercub10 (Post 12061817)
The Virgin CEO announced a stop to recruitment in a internal communication.

To be exact, Boeing recruitment is stopping in 2 courses time but Airbus recruitment continues..

Kindly get your facts correct..

Newhairdo 5th April 2026 23:31


Originally Posted by fast cruiser (Post 12065208)
To be exact, Boeing recruitment is stopping in 2 courses time but Airbus recruitment continues..

Kindly get your facts correct..

Keeping to facts, bear this in mind. When the CEO talks about stopping recruitment, he will be talking about all roles. It’s not always all about the pilots!
Kindly get all the facts


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