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British Airways vs Lufthansa
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at British Airways (BA) and Lufthansa (LH) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
British Airways
Lufthansa
Country
United Kingdom
Germany
Airline Type
Major Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
BA
LH
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
£55,000 - £100,000
€70,000 - €120,000
Captain Salary
£130,000 - £200,000
€150,000 - €250,000
Fleet
Airbus A319/320/321/350/380, Boeing 777/787
Airbus A319/320/321/330/340/350/380, Boeing 747/777/787
Requirements Comparison
British Airways
- EASA/UK ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- UK right to work
- Strong CRM and leadership skills
- Minimum 500 hours multi-crew
Lufthansa
- EASA ATPL
- EASA Class 1 medical
- Type rating on Lufthansa fleet aircraft
- German language helpful
- Lufthansa training program or equivalent
Pros & Cons
British Airways
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Lufthansa
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Local language proficiency preferred
- –Type rating required before application
About Each Airline
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 →Lufthansa
Germany's flag carrier and Europe's largest airline group. Lufthansa runs its own pilot training academy (European Flight Academy).
Full Lufthansa career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at British Airways or Lufthansa based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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