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Aer Lingus vs British Airways
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Aer Lingus (EI) and British Airways (BA) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Aer Lingus
British Airways
Country
Ireland
United Kingdom
Airline Type
Major Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
EI
BA
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
€55,000 - €90,000
£55,000 - £100,000
Captain Salary
€120,000 - €190,000
£130,000 - £200,000
Fleet
Airbus A320/321/330
Airbus A319/320/321/350/380, Boeing 777/787
Requirements Comparison
Aer Lingus
- EASA ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- EU right to work
- 500+ hours multi-crew
British Airways
- EASA/UK ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- UK right to work
- Strong CRM and leadership skills
- Minimum 500 hours multi-crew
Pros & Cons
Aer Lingus
Pros
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
British Airways
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
About Each Airline
Aer Lingus
Ireland's flag carrier, now part of IAG, operates transatlantic and European routes from Dublin and Shannon.
Full Aer Lingus career guide →British Airways
The UK's flag carrier operates from London Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports, with routes spanning the globe.
Full British Airways career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Aer Lingus or British Airways based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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