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Lufthansa vs Turkish Airlines
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Lufthansa (LH) and Turkish Airlines (TK) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Lufthansa
Turkish Airlines
Country
Germany
Turkey
Airline Type
Major Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
LH
TK
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
€70,000 - €120,000
$60,000 - $100,000
Captain Salary
€150,000 - €250,000
$140,000 - $220,000
Fleet
Airbus A319/320/321/330/340/350/380, Boeing 747/777/787
Boeing 737/777/787, Airbus A319/320/321/330/350
Requirements Comparison
Lufthansa
- EASA ATPL
- EASA Class 1 medical
- Type rating on Lufthansa fleet aircraft
- German language helpful
- Lufthansa training program or equivalent
Turkish Airlines
- ICAO ATPL
- 3,000+ hours total
- 1,500+ on jets
- Class 1 medical
- English Level 4+
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
Turkish Airlines
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –High minimum hour requirements (3,000+)
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 →Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline, operating from Istanbul's new mega-hub airport.
Full Turkish Airlines career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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