ACTIVELY HIRINGGermanyPermanent employment (German labor law)APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW

Lufthansa Pilot Recruitment Process 2026

Renzo Madueño

Former Airbus A320 First Officer · FAA Commercial Pilot · Founder, Rotate Pilot

Ex-airline pilot, 1,400+ flight hours. Writes from real cockpit and checkride experience — not a content farm.

Everything you need to know about the Lufthansa pilot hiring process, from application to final assessment. Updated 2026-03-01.

Hiring status	Active— applications open
Country / Region	Germany · Europe
Bases	5 bases · FRA, MUC, ZRH, VIE, BRU
Fleet types	A319/320/321, A330-300, A340-300/600, A350-900 +3 more
Contract type	Permanent employment (German labor law)
Type ratings accepted	A320, A340, A350, A380, B747, B777, B787
Assessment stages	4 stages · 5-step pipeline

How to Apply: Lufthansa Pilot Application Process

The Lufthansa pilot selection pipeline runs 5 steps from initial application through to first day of training. Here is exactly what to expect at each stage.

1
Online Application
2-4 weeks
Apply through Lufthansa Group Pilot Careers portal.
2
DLR Test (BU/FQ)
2-3 days
Multi-day assessment at DLR (German Aerospace Center) in Hamburg covering cognitive, psychomotor, and group tests.
3
Simulator Assessment
1 day
Full-motion sim evaluation at Lufthansa Aviation Training.
4
Final Interview
Half day
Interview with flight operations management.
5
Training
8-12 weeks
Type rating at Lufthansa Aviation Training.

Assessment Stages: What Lufthansa Tests

1. DLR BU (Basic Qualification)

First selection stage at DLR Hamburg testing cognitive ability, concentration, multi-tasking, English, physics, and mathematics. One of the toughest airline selection tests globally.

Preparation Tips

Practice DLR-specific preparation materials
Study physics and mathematics thoroughly
Train concentration and multi-tasking for weeks beforehand

2. DLR FQ (Flight Qualification)

Second DLR stage testing psychomotor coordination, group dynamics, and interview. Includes SAGAT tests and group exercises.

Preparation Tips

Practice hand-eye coordination exercises
Show balanced leadership in group work
Be honest and consistent in psychological interviews

3. Simulator Assessment

Full-motion A320 or B737 sim ride at Lufthansa Aviation Training.

Preparation Tips

Practice raw-data flying
Show excellent CRM
Stay calm under pressure - precision matters

4. Management Interview

Final interview with senior flight ops management.

Preparation Tips

Know Lufthansa Group structure thoroughly
Discuss career commitment and flexibility
Show cultural awareness and German work ethic values

Lufthansa Pilot Interview Questions

Recent Lufthansa pilot candidates report these questions appearing in their panel and HR interviews. Use STAR-format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses and have 8-10 aviation anecdotes ready.

Q1
Why Lufthansa Group?
Q2
How do you see your career developing?
Q3
Describe handling an emergency.
Q4
What do you know about Lufthansa operations?
Q5
How do you approach CRM?
Q6
Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned.
Q7
How would you handle a disagreement with a more senior captain?

Minimum Requirements

Requirement	Detail
Certificates	EASA ATPL (frozen or full)
Medical	EASA Class 1 medical
English	ICAO English Level 4 minimum
Right to Work	EU/EEA right to work
DLR Test	Must pass DLR selection at German Aerospace Center
Language	German language skills beneficial

Fleet You Could Fly at Lufthansa

7 aircraft types currently operated

A319/320/321A330-300A340-300/600A350-900A380-800B747-400/8B777-9

Type ratings accepted at application

A320A340A350A380B747B777B787

Holding one of these ratings can accelerate the hiring pipeline.

Lufthansa Pilot Bases (5)

Available pilot bases — bid by seniority

FRAMUCZRHVIEBRU

Cadet Program (No Experience Required)

CADET PROGRAMME

European Flight Academy (EFA)

Lufthansa Group ab-initio training programme. Integrated ATPL course in Bremen/Phoenix with guaranteed position at a Lufthansa Group airline upon completion.

Cost: EUR 105,000 (company loan available at favorable terms)Duration: 24 months training + direct employment

Read full cadet program guide →

Insider Tips for Lufthansa Applicants

DLR test is extremely competitive - only 5-10% pass rate

European Flight Academy offers ab-initio training

Lufthansa Group includes Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings

Excellent job security under German labor law

Premium widebody flying opportunities on A380 and B747

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lufthansa hiring pilots in 2026?

Yes, Lufthansa is actively hiring pilots in 2026. Check their official careers portal for current openings.

What are the minimum requirements to fly for Lufthansa?

Certificates: EASA ATPL (frozen or full). Medical: EASA Class 1 medical. English: ICAO English Level 4 minimum. Right to Work: EU/EEA right to work. DLR Test: Must pass DLR selection at German Aerospace Center. Language: German language skills beneficial.

What is the Lufthansa pilot interview process like?

The Lufthansa recruitment process involves 5 stages: Online Application, DLR Test (BU/FQ), Simulator Assessment, Final Interview, Training.

What aircraft types does Lufthansa operate?

Lufthansa operates: A319/320/321, A330-300, A340-300/600, A350-900, A380-800, B747-400/8, B777-9.

Where are Lufthansa pilot bases located?

Lufthansa pilot bases include: FRA, MUC, ZRH, VIE, BRU.

What type ratings does Lufthansa accept?

Lufthansa accepts the following type ratings: A320, A340, A350, A380, B747, B777, B787. Holding one of these can accelerate your hiring.

Does Lufthansa have a cadet pilot program?

Yes, Lufthansa offers the European Flight Academy (EFA). Lufthansa Group ab-initio training programme. Integrated ATPL course in Bremen/Phoenix with guaranteed position at a Lufthansa Group airline upon completion. Duration: 24 months training + direct employment. Cost: EUR 105,000 (company loan available at favorable terms).

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