All Nippon Airways (ANA) Pilot Salary 2026
First Officer & Captain pay scales · Updated May 2026
Japan's largest airline with a world-class fleet. Strong job security and cultural emphasis on safety. Japanese language required.
| First Officer (entry) | ¥7,500,000 /yr |
|---|---|
| First Officer (mid-career) | ¥10,000,000 /yr |
| Captain (year 1) | ¥16,000,000 /yr |
| Captain (top of scale) | ¥25,000,000 /yr |
| Currency | JPY · Japan |
| Minimum hours | 2,500 total time |
| Type rating | Provided by airline |
| Hiring status | Actively hiring |
| Fleet you will fly | B737, B767, B777, B787, A320 +2 more |
Cross-check these numbers against the broader 2026 pilot pay benchmarks before you commit, and if you are still building hours, see how a sponsored seat at a 2026 airline cadet program shortcuts the path to All Nippon Airways (ANA).
Most pilots get to All Nippon Airways (ANA) the long way: a regional first. Compare these scales against the 2026 regional airline pay scales to see what your first 3–5 years actually look like, or the cargo pilot salary guide if FedEx or UPS is on your shortlist. Aiming for a US legacy seat? The step-by-step how to get hired at Delta playbook breaks down what the US legacy interview panels actually weigh.
Inside the cockpit
ANA operates one of Asia's most technically demanding pilot networks from Tokyo Haneda, with long-haul routes spanning Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Sydney alongside dense domestic trunk routes connecting Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. The carrier runs a genuinely mixed widebody fleet — B787-8s and B787-9s dominate long-haul alongside B777-300ERs, while the A380 operates exclusively on the Honolulu leisure route in a deliberate niche deployment. ANA's defined-benefit corporate pension, combined with mandatory retirement at age 67 under Japanese civil aviation standards, creates a predictable but compressed earnings window compared to Western carriers. Star Alliance membership opens reciprocal jumpseat access across 26 member airlines. Domestically, ANA mainline competes directly with subsidiary Peach Aviation and ANA Wings on thinner routes, which directly shapes equipment bidding and seniority dynamics for mainline pilots.
Salary by Seat × Year
| Position | Year 1 | Year 5 | Year 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Officer | ¥7,500,000 | ¥10,000,000 | ¥12,000,000 |
| Captain | ¥16,000,000 | ¥20,000,000 | ¥25,000,000 |
All figures in JPY. Base pay only — does not include per diem, profit sharing or 401k/pension match where applicable.
How All Nippon Airways (ANA) Pay Compares
Same currency (JPY), captain top-of-scale ranked. Helps you sanity-check whether All Nippon Airways (ANA) pays above or below market for its peer group.
| Airline | FO Year 1 | FO Year 10 | Captain Year 1 | Captain top |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Nippon Airways (ANA) (this page) | ¥7,500,000 | ¥12,000,000 | ¥16,000,000 | ¥25,000,000 |
| Japan Airlines | ¥7,200,000 | ¥12,000,000 | ¥15,500,000 | ¥25,000,000 |
Salary Progression
First Officer
Captain
What pilots actually need to know
ANA operates a strict fleet-siloed seniority system, meaning a pilot who bids onto the B787 at upgrade is essentially committing their captain track to that equipment type for the foreseeable career. Crossing from narrowbody domestic operations — the B737-700/800 fleet — to widebody long-haul requires a competitive inter-fleet transfer process, not an automatic progression, and many pilots spend their entire FO tenure on one type before locking in a captain seat on that same aircraft.
Benefits & Total Compensation
Base pay is only the floor. All Nippon Airways (ANA) also includes the following package items, which can lift total comp by 20–40% above advertised base.
Fleet Types
3 pilot bases worldwide
Requirements & Career
Minimum Flight Hours
2,500
Type Rating Provided
Yes
Career Progression
Slow
Unionized
Yes
Quality of Life Rating
Based on schedule flexibility, base locations, commutability, travel benefits, and overall pilot satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long until ANA captain upgrade?
The typical ANA first officer spends 10 to 15 years before reaching captain, though this varies significantly by fleet and hiring cohort size. Japan's mandatory minimum of 1,500 hours total time and 250 hours on type applies, but ANA's internal seniority system means actual upgrade timing is driven by attrition above you on the list rather than hours alone. Pilots on the B787 long-haul fleet historically wait longer than domestic B737 pilots due to fewer captain seats relative to applicant volume.
What is the ANA pilot pension and retirement worth?
ANA provides a defined-benefit corporate pension through Japan's Employees' Pension Insurance system, supplemented by a company-specific retirement allowance calculated on years of service and final salary. Pilots retire mandatorily at age 67 per JCAB regulations. The retirement lump-sum for a 30-year career captain can reach ¥30,000,000 to ¥50,000,000 gross depending on rank and final pay grade, though this is taxed under Japan's retirement income deduction rules. Compared to US legacy carrier pension freezes, ANA's structure remains relatively intact but yields less total value than a well-funded US 401k with company match at comparable salary levels.
Does ANA hire low-time pilots?
ANA does not directly hire ab initio or low-time pilots into mainline operations. The primary pathway for new entrants is the ANA Cadet Pilot Program, which selects university graduates with no flight experience and sponsors full flight training through contracted academies in the US and Japan, targeting JAA/JCAB ATPL issuance. Cadet selections are competitive and class sizes fluctuate with fleet growth plans. For 2025 and into 2026, ANA has indicated measured hiring driven by B787 expansion and post-pandemic route restoration, but cadet intake remains modest relative to the size of the mainline operation.
How much does a All Nippon Airways (ANA) pilot make?
A First Officer at All Nippon Airways (ANA) earns ¥7,500,000 in year 1, rising to ¥12,000,000 by year 10. Captains earn ¥16,000,000 initially, reaching ¥25,000,000 at year 10.
Is All Nippon Airways (ANA) hiring pilots in 2026?
Yes, All Nippon Airways (ANA) is actively hiring pilots in 2026. Minimum flight hours required: 2,500.
What are the minimum hours to fly for All Nippon Airways (ANA)?
All Nippon Airways (ANA) requires a minimum of 2,500 total flight hours. Type rating training is provided by the airline.
Does All Nippon Airways (ANA) provide type rating training?
Yes, All Nippon Airways (ANA) provides type rating training for new hires on their fleet types: B737, B767, B777, B787, A320, A321, A380.
What is the career progression like at All Nippon Airways (ANA)?
Career progression at All Nippon Airways (ANA) is rated as "Slow". Pilots are unionized, which provides structured seniority-based advancement. Quality of life is rated 4/5.
Compare With Other Asia-Pacific Airlines
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