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Aer Lingus vs Ryanair
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Aer Lingus (EI) and Ryanair (FR) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Aer Lingus
Ryanair
Country
Ireland
Ireland
Airline Type
Major Airline
Low-Cost Carrier
IATA Code
EI
FR
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
€55,000 - €90,000
€35,000 - €70,000
Captain Salary
€120,000 - €190,000
€120,000 - €180,000
Fleet
Airbus A320/321/330
Boeing 737 (all variants)
Requirements Comparison
Aer Lingus
- EASA ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- EU right to work
- 500+ hours multi-crew
Ryanair
- EASA frozen ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- Boeing 737 type rating
- EU right to work
Pros & Cons
Aer Lingus
Pros
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Ryanair
Pros
- +Faster career progression
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Higher workload with quick turnarounds
- –Lower starting FO salary compared to US/Gulf carriers
- –Type rating required before application
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 →Ryanair
Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers. Single-type Boeing 737 fleet with bases across Europe. Known for rapid career progression.
Full Ryanair career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Aer Lingus or Ryanair based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
Salary Calculator