flydubai Pilot Recruitment 2026
Hiring status, requirements, selection steps and the path to the seat. Requirements checked against flydubai's official careers pages on .
Is flydubai hiring pilots in 2026?
Yes. flydubai is recruiting pilots, according to its official careers pages as of August 22, 2026. Captain — type rated: Valid ICAO ATPL, B737-300 to 900 (EFIS/NG/MAX) endorsed within the last 24 months, 5,000 hours total, 1,500 hours in command of multi-crew…
flydubai screens with an aptitude battery before a human reads your application.
Sit a timed practice paper free — no account. Scored on pace as well as accuracy, because pace is what the real battery culls on.
Where are you with flydubai?
Selection runs on its own timetable, and what helps depends entirely on where you are in it. Tell us, and what we send you matches that — nothing else.
| Hiring status | Active— applications open |
|---|---|
| Country / Region | United Arab Emirates · Middle East |
| Bases | 2 bases · DXB, DWC |
| Fleet types | B737-800, B737 MAX 8/9 |
| Contract type | 3-year contract (renewable) |
| Type ratings accepted | B737 |
| Assessment stages | 4 stages · 3-step pipeline |
flydubai pilot requirements
As published on flydubai's official careers pages, checked August 22, 2026.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Common to all routes | High school diploma or equivalent, a valid ICAO First Class medical, and English Language Proficiency level 4 or above |
| Captain — type rated | Valid ICAO ATPL, B737-300 to 900 (EFIS/NG/MAX) endorsed within the last 24 months, 5,000 hours total, 1,500 hours in command of multi-crew multi-engine aircraft above 10 tonnes, and 1,000 hours in command on the B737-300 to 900 |
| Captain — non type rated | 5,000 hours total with 1,500 in command on a modern EFIS multi-crew multi-engine jet over 55 tonnes (A318 or larger); OR 6,000 hours total with 1,500 in command on a modern EFIS jet over 50 tonnes (E190/195 or similar) |
| First Officer — type rated | Valid ICAO ATPL, B737-300 to 900 (EFIS/NG/MAX) endorsed within the last 24 months, at least 1,500 MPA hours, and 500 hours on the B737-300 to 900 |
| First Officer — non type rated | 2,500 hours total, 1,000 hours on modern EFIS multi-crew multi-engine aircraft above 10 tonnes (PIC time preferred), and at least 1,500 MPA hours |
| Second Officer programme | GCAA or ICAO CPL with a GCAA frozen ATPL, MCC, an advanced UPRT certificate, and age 20-35 for external candidates (20-40 internally, after two continuous years at flydubai). Phase 0 type rating is unpaid for about three months, then AED 14,300 per month, then AED 23,015 per month up to 1,500 hours, at which point the pilot transitions to First Officer. |
| Ab initio MPL programme | Age 17-30, high school completed with at least 70% or a GPA of 3.0, fluent English, and able to obtain a GCAA Class 1 medical. UAE nationals need a UAE passport and Emirates ID, and male candidates must have completed Military National Service. The 2026 application window is closed. |
| Training bond | Three years — USD 24,000 type rated, USD 36,000 non type rated. The Second Officer bond is USD 36,000 over 24 months, repaid by monthly salary deduction until transition to First Officer. A USD 1,000 assessment fee applies at the time of assessment for the Second Officer programme. |
| Pay (published) | Captain: AED 50,235 per month basic plus housing and transport, plus average AED 16,310 variable flying pay at 70 hours. First Officer: AED 37,000 per month plus allowances, plus average AED 11,410 variable. Open-ended contract, 42 days paid leave a year. |
What the job pays
Estimate — not yet verified against the pilot contract. Full flydubai pay table, by year and aircraft
The full table with every figure is on the flydubai salary page.
From student pilot to flydubai Captain
Shown for the EASA system most non-US airlines recruit from; other authorities are similar. Hour figures are regulatory minimums, time ranges are typical.
Step 1
Class 1 medical + theory
First month EASA Part-MED / Part-FCLBook the Class 1 medical before paying any school. Then ATPL theory: 13 subjects under the EASA syllabus (other authorities differ).
Try free private-pilot theory questions (FAA format)Step 2
CPL / IR / multi-engine training
≈ 200 h (EASA integrated minimum 195 h) 18–24 months integrated EASA FCL Appendix 3Integrated course in one go, or modular (PPL first, then hour building, CPL, IR). Ends with multi-crew (MCC/APS) training.
Step 3
Type rating (A320 / 737)
Simulator + base training 2–3 monthsPaid by the airline in some cadet or direct-entry schemes, self-funded in others — check the specific vacancy.
Step 4
flydubai First Officer
See the requirements aboveLow-hour pilots usually join with a frozen ATPL.
Step 5
Full ATPL (unfrozen)
1,500 h incl. 500 h multi-pilot 3–4 years of line flying EASA FCL.510.AThe licence you need to be pilot-in-command of a multi-pilot airliner.
Step 6
flydubai Captain
Command course Depends on seniority and growthUpgrade criteria (hours, time in seat, assessment) are set by each airline.
How to Apply: flydubai Pilot Application Process
The flydubai pilot selection process step by step, as the airline describes it (checked August 22, 2026). Where the airline does not publish a stage, we say so.
- 1
Online Application
1-2 weeksApply through flydubai careers.
- 2
Assessment Day
1 dayDubai: aptitude, sim, interview.
- 3
Training
8-10 weeksB737 MAX type rating.
Assessment Stages: What flydubai Tests
1. Online Application & Screening
Initial review of qualifications, flight hours, certificates, and background.
Preparation Tips
- Ensure logbook is accurate and up to date
- Have all certificates scanned and ready
- Tailor your CV to airline operations
2. Aptitude & Psychometric Testing
Computer-based tests measuring cognitive ability, multi-tasking, spatial awareness, and personality traits.
Preparation Tips
- Practice with COMPASS or PILAPT test preparation
- Work on mental math speed
- Get adequate sleep before test day
3. Simulator Assessment
Fixed-base or full-motion simulator session evaluating hand-flying, instrument skills, and multi-crew coordination.
Preparation Tips
- Practice raw-data instrument approaches
- Brief out loud as you would with a real crew
- Manage workload verbally
4. Panel / HR Interview
Competency-based interview with senior pilots and HR covering behavioral scenarios, motivation, and airline knowledge.
Preparation Tips
- Use STAR method for behavioral answers
- Research the airline thoroughly
- Prepare 8-10 strong aviation anecdotes
flydubai Pilot Interview Questions
Typical questions in airline pilot panel and HR interviews, including at flydubai. Prepare STAR-format answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and 8-10 real aviation stories.
- Q1
Why flydubai?
- Q2
Describe experience with high-frequency operations.
- Q3
Why do you want to fly for this airline specifically?
- Q4
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for safety.
- Q5
How do you handle fatigue management during long duty periods?
Fleet You Could Fly at flydubai
2 aircraft types currently operated
Type ratings accepted at application
Holding one of these ratings can accelerate the hiring pipeline.
flydubai Pilot Bases (2)
Available pilot bases — bid by seniority
Insider Tips for flydubai Applicants
Tax-free salary
Dubai lifestyle
Sister airline to Emirates with interline benefits
Growing network to 100+ destinations
Knowing the flydubai process is step one. Being ready for the stages that actually cut people is step two.
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.
Already past the paperwork and preparing for the panel? , scored against the answers a panel is listening for. Seven days of access, no subscription.
No flydubai pack yet — want it built?
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Frequently Asked Questions
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