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Lufthansa vs Ryanair
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Lufthansa (LH) and Ryanair (FR) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Lufthansa
Ryanair
Country
Germany
Ireland
Airline Type
Major Airline
Low-Cost Carrier
IATA Code
LH
FR
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
€70,000 - €120,000
€35,000 - €70,000
Captain Salary
€150,000 - €250,000
€120,000 - €180,000
Fleet
Airbus A319/320/321/330/340/350/380, Boeing 747/777/787
Boeing 737 (all variants)
Requirements Comparison
Lufthansa
- EASA ATPL
- EASA Class 1 medical
- Type rating on Lufthansa fleet aircraft
- German language helpful
- Lufthansa training program or equivalent
Ryanair
- EASA frozen ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- Boeing 737 type rating
- EU right to work
Pros & Cons
Lufthansa
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Local language proficiency preferred
- –Type rating required before application
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
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 →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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