All Nippon Airways (ANA) Pilot Career Guide
Japan's largest airline by revenue and fleet size, ANA is a Star Alliance member with growing international operations.
First Officer Salary
¥7,000,000 - ¥12,000,000
Captain Salary
¥15,000,000 - ¥25,000,000
Salary Progression
Year 1 FO
¥7,500,000 (≈US$50,000)
Year 5 FO
¥10,500,000 (≈US$70,000)
Year 10 Captain
¥21,000,000 (≈US$140,000)
Year 20 Captain
¥25,000,000 (≈US$167,000)
Bonuses & Perks
Biannual bonuses (4-6 months salary total). Flight duty supplements. International per diem.
Retirement
Japanese corporate pension plus Employees' Pension Insurance. ANA retirement plan.
Pilot Reviews & Ratings
Based on pilot forum data
Pros
- Japan's largest airline with most extensive domestic network
- 5-star Skytrax rating for service excellence
- Diverse fleet including A380 (Flying Honu for Hawaii)
- Strong Star Alliance membership and travel benefits
- Excellent safety culture and professional development
Cons
- Foreign pilot recruitment is extremely limited
- Japanese language proficiency required
- Base salary modest but bonuses make up significant portion
- Tokyo living costs are substantial
- Rigid career structure with limited lateral movement
Fleet & Routes
| Aircraft | Count | Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320/A321neo | 36 | Domestic and short-haul international |
| Airbus A380-800 | 3 | Honolulu route (Flying Honu) |
| Boeing 737-800 | 36 | Domestic short-haul |
| Boeing 767-300 | 25 | Domestic and regional |
| Boeing 777-200/300ER | 45 | Domestic trunk and international |
| Boeing 787-8/9/10 | 82 | Domestic and international (largest 787 operator) |
Interview & Selection Process
Application through ANA pilot careers (primarily Japanese nationals)
Academic screening and aptitude testing
English proficiency assessment (TOEIC 650+ or equivalent)
Panel interview and group assessment
Flight aptitude simulation test
JCAB Class 1 medical examination
Pilot Lifestyle
Work Schedule
Typically 65-75 block hours/month. Strong Japanese labor protections. Mix of high-frequency domestic and international long-haul.
Home Base
Tokyo (Haneda/Narita) is the primary base. Must live in Tokyo area for mainline operations.
Travel Benefits
Standby on ANA and Star Alliance partners. Staff fares. Annual confirmed tickets.
Commutable?
Limited — may require relocation
Hubs & Pilot Bases
Main Hubs
Pilot Bases
Cadet Program
ANA Pilot Trainee Program
ANA recruits and fully sponsors university graduates through ab-initio training at partner flight schools in the US and domestically.
Union & Representation
Pilots at All Nippon Airways (ANA) are represented by ANA Pilots Association.
Latest Developments
ANA is world's largest Boeing 787 operator with over 80 Dreamliners
Flying Honu A380 service to Hawaii proven popular since launch
Pilot recruitment expanded with more positions for experienced foreign pilots in response to demand
Pilot Requirements
JCAB ATPL or ICAO equivalent
Class 1 medical
Japanese language proficiency
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