Saudia Pilot Recruitment 2026
Hiring status, requirements, selection steps and the path to the seat. Requirements checked against Saudia's official careers pages on .
Is Saudia hiring pilots in 2026?
Saudia lists pilot hiring as "Upcoming 2026", according to its official careers pages as of August 22, 2026. Flight time: Minimum 240 flying hours, of which 25 hours multi-engine are mandatory. The selection process has 3 steps, set out step by step below.
Saudia 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 Saudia?
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 | Upcoming 2026 |
|---|---|
| Country / Region | Saudi Arabia · Middle East |
| Bases | 3 bases · JED, RUH, DMM |
| Fleet types | A320/321neo, A330-300, B777-300ER, B787-9/10 |
| Contract type | Contract-based (3 years) |
| Type ratings accepted | A320, A321, A330, B777, B787 |
| Assessment stages | 5 stages · 3-step pipeline |
Saudia pilot requirements
As published on Saudia's official careers pages, checked August 22, 2026.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| What is actually open (checked 22 Aug 2026) | Only the Saudia Cadet Program. A search of Saudia's own careers site for "pilot" returns this single posting — no direct-entry First Officer or Captain vacancy was listed. |
| Nationality | Saudi nationals only |
| Licence | Valid GACA multi-engine Commercial Pilot Licence |
| Flight time | Minimum 240 flying hours, of which 25 hours multi-engine are mandatory |
| GACA AIP test | Valid, with a minimum score of 80% |
| English | Valid ICAO English Language Proficiency Test at Level 4 or above |
| Medical | Valid GACA First Class |
| Height | 165 cm to 193 cm |
| Education | High-school degree in science at 80% or above, plus a diploma or bachelor's degree in science, engineering or a related field with a minimum GPA of 2.75/4 or 3.75/5. Qualifications obtained outside Saudi Arabia require Ministry of Education attestation. |
| Disqualifier | Applicants previously terminated from any training programme at Saudia or any company in the SAUDIA Group are not eligible |
| Attachments | CV, Saudi national ID, passport, high-school certificate, highest degree, transcript, GACA licence, AIP test result, ELPT result and medical. Saudia states that a missing attachment eliminates the application outright. |
What the job pays
Estimate — not yet verified against the pilot contract. Full Saudia pay table, by year and aircraft
The full table with every figure is on the Saudia salary page.
From student pilot to Saudia 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
Saudia First Officer
Minimum 240 flying hours, of which 25 hours multi-engine are mandatoryLow-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
Saudia Captain
Command course Depends on seniority and growthUpgrade criteria (hours, time in seat, assessment) are set by each airline.
How to Apply: Saudia Pilot Application Process
The Saudia 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
2-4 weeksApply through Saudia pilot recruitment.
- 2
Assessment
1-2 daysTesting and interview in Jeddah.
- 3
Training
10-14 weeksType rating.
Assessment Stages: What Saudia 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
5. Medical & Background
Class 1 medical examination and comprehensive background verification.
Preparation Tips
- Disclose all medical history honestly
- Bring all documentation to the medical exam
- Ensure your record is clean
Saudia Pilot Interview Questions
Typical questions in airline pilot panel and HR interviews, including at Saudia. Prepare STAR-format answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and 8-10 real aviation stories.
- Q1
Why Saudia?
- Q2
Describe international operations experience.
- 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 Saudia
4 aircraft types currently operated
Type ratings accepted at application
Holding one of these ratings can accelerate the hiring pipeline.
Saudia Pilot Bases (3)
Available pilot bases — bid by seniority
Insider Tips for Saudia Applicants
Vision 2030 driving massive aviation expansion
Tax-free compensation
New airline NEOM/Riyadh Air creating additional opportunities
Saudi Arabia investing heavily in aviation infrastructure
Knowing the Saudia 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 Saudia pack yet — want it built?
We will not pretend to have one. We build the next pack for the airline that gets asked for most, so leaving your address here is a vote. No sequence, one email when it ships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saudia hiring pilots in 2026?
What are the minimum requirements to fly for Saudia?
What is the Saudia pilot selection process?
What aircraft does Saudia fly?
Where are Saudia pilot bases?
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