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.
Airline selection starts with an aptitude battery
It screens you before a human reads your application. Sit a timed practice paper free — scored on pace, which is what actually culls candidates.
Knowing what Aer Lingus pays is the easy part. Getting through their selection is the part that decides whether you ever earn it.
Before a human reads your application there is an aptitude battery, and candidates consistently report it as the heaviest cull — pace, not difficulty. You can practise it here for free: timed papers generated fresh each run, plus a divided-attention drill that measures how much your performance degrades under load.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
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
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