easyJet Vs Euroflyer DEC NTR
 

I’d genuinely appreciate input (particularly, but not exclusively) from those on the inside on the pro’s and cons of joining one over the other. Without giving away too many specifics at this stage, both tick the most important boxes of LGW base and fixed roster pattern. Thanks in advance.

Pay
Quite hard to answer this accurately but Easy take home will be a fair bit more, especially for the first few years. But remember to factor in the 15% company pension contribution at BAEF. Also a new BA pay deal is expected to lead to a very significant rise for junior captains at mainline which will likely lead to big uplift at BAEF. If not already announced by Jan 2026, any uplift will be backdated to then.

Rostering
Easy fixed pattern has more days off and also note that the fixed pattern at BAEF is geared so you work more weekends. However generally slightly easier days at BAEF as the earlies and lates are generally at slightly more sociable times and virtually no 4 sector days. (although some 90+ hour months at BAEF not uncommon)

Overall
Pay at Easy is pretty unbeatable and unless the new BA deal is out of this world Easy remains the best choice for earnings in the short to medium term.

A place on the mainline seniority list is a major draw at BAEF which may swing the argument if you are c<40 yo. Fewer disruptive passengers, decent crew / business class food and a curtain separating off economy may seem trival but definitely helps, as does a smaller base vibe. Staff travel is a can of worms and everyone will have an opinion, but in general EasyJet the winner for SH and BA for LH.

I would also add a few captains have moved from Easy to BAEF but I’m not aware of any that have moved the other way at LGW at least.

Can I ask where you’ve heard the pay will back dated to Jan 2026? Is this specific to Euroflyer over mainline?

I believe that the current pay deal runs to January 2026. The negotiations often overrun and the precedent is to backdate whatever is agreed so it is effective from the January.

(this is what happened last time at BAEF)

I think the current mainline pay deal runs until 2027, (backed up by an MOA payscale adjustment with effect 1st June 2026), but I believe BALPA have said these pay restructuring talks are not part of the usual pay review cycle. It remains to be seen whether IAG approve any of it anyway.

That makes sense, so perhaps a significant payrise backdated to Jan 2026 is a tad optimistic.

I also forgot to say that in terms of rostering at BAEF there is a lot of fatiguing early to late transitions in your 5 day working block, something that doesn’t happen at Easy

If I understand correctly, the current PCS (upcoming potential payscale restructure) doesn't affect BAEF so I would not really consider it when comparing BAEF to Ezy.

Happy to be corrected - but I believe it is only for Mainline.

Have heard of at least one easy capt who moved to BAEF and is coming back to easy

WVD, yardmaster was predicting that an appreciable increase to mainline short haul salaries, would likely lead to an increase at Euroflyer.

Current LHS at EZY here. An early to late transition at EZY would be the least of your problems. Current rostering practice is 'if it's legal, it will be rostered'. Expect to self-manage fatigue, optimised rostering and numerous roster changes not limited to transitions from 4am early reports to post midnight finishes. The pay is good yes, but unless you self-manage the crap that you're rostered, you'll go part-time quickly and enjoy working the same hours for 25% less pay. Buyer beware!

There’s no golden solution .
That EF roster seems to be mainly 5/2 , all for £115k plus flight pay - maybe that’s why they advertise “ aspiration for command “ = “ desperate for 4 stripes and a hat “

Ah ok thanks for the clarification.

this is disingenuous. While the company would love to work to pure EASA FTL, we have some quite advantageous restrictions in the scheduling agreement that prevent it. It is fair to say they roster up to the union agreed limits but to say ‘if it’s legal they roster it’ is not true.

Afternoon all. Reality check please: on a BAEF DEC package, what sort of life can you sensibly afford near Gatwick? Say a 3-4 bed, family of four, kids at school (ideally private). Is that do-able or am I in fantasy land? Tya.

This is a how long is a piece of string question. Want to live in a 4 bed detached in Reigate, one salary family, you’re gonna struggle.

If your partner works, happy in Horsham it’s looking better.

Private schools are going to blow your salary pretty quickly. (Reigate grammar = 28.5k pa)

Definitely not disingenuous. Rostering is optimised and sometimes total crap. There is zero fatigue mitigation from the company, it is up to us to self manage. The union restrictions are not 'advantageous', they are hard fought and totally necessary to protect from a company that couldn't care less.

you suggested that we work to legal limits. We don’t, we work well within them.

it’s not perfect but I have never had any hassle following a fatigue or sickness absence. We have a pretty effective union in place that works well for the most part. This is my third airline and it is by far the best and I wouldn’t consider for a second going to BAEF or even mainline.

sounds like you’ve never worked elsewhere!

Thanks for the input so far!



EasyJet pros: Higher basic, annual bonus from Y2, Slightly better fixed roster, Confirmed staff travel, more diverse route network and mix of sector length. Newer aircraft.

BAEF Pro’s: Higher pension, LH staff travel/business class cabin, possibility of fleet transfer/LH, Later starts/earlier finishes. Possibility of a Secondary role quite quickly.

It’s a difficult one… my head and bank manager says easyJet, but my heart (and if I’m honest, a little bit of ego) says BA… there’s something that stirs inside when I see that Red, White & Blue livery!

I’ve less than 15 years to go, I don’t think I’ll get another shot at BA. I’ve never had a business class cabin before, which would in theory be nice, (probably) less disruptive pax and a calmer environment. The salary/bonus at easy would allow me the option to go 75% within 2/3 years, which is appealing… Not sure I’d go to LH, but nice to have the option in future. Both are pretty nice places to work from what I’ve been told. BAEF with a slightly more smaller family feel does sound good, but with plans to double the fleet, that may reduce over time.

I think that sums it up nicely.

Re: long haul. With 15 years to go, if you did want to scratch that itch, it would be in the RHS. Long haul commands are around 18 years. Due to come down a little, but can’t see them dropping below 15. (Not that RHS long haul in your final years is a bad place to be. Decent salary, a few days on the beach…)

When considering staff travel. Is the increased salary at EZ enough to buy a business class seat once a year? (Get to where you want to go, when you want to go, almost guaranteed)