How to Become a Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Pilot
LCC pilots fly point-to-point single-fleet ops with high utilization — Southwest, Ryanair, Spirit, Frontier, Wizz Air, JetBlue, easyJet.
Salary by Career Stage
Entry
$100,000-$150,000 (FO Year 1, post-2023 raises)
Mid-Career
$180,000-$240,000
Senior
$300,000-$430,000 (Captain, senior — Southwest top of scale)
Southwest pay structure now competitive with Delta/United narrow-body. Ryanair Captain ~€200k. Wizz Air Captain ~€150-180k.
Requirements
Licenses & Ratings
- • ATP
- • Type rating (B737 or A320 family)
- • Class 1 medical
Flight Hours
1,500 hours minimum, most hire 2,500-4,000 from regionals or other LCCs
Medical
Class 1
Min Age
23
Additional Certifications
- • ICAO ELP Level 4+ for European LCCs
Pros
- + Single fleet (only B737 or only A320) — lower workload
- + Often better quality of life vs network carriers
- + Direct point-to-point — fewer hub commutes
Cons
- − High utilization can mean aggressive scheduling
- − Pay-by-the-hour structures at some European LCCs
- − Lower union protection than legacies (varies)
Top Employers
A Day in the Life
4-leg day common at LCCs (vs 1-2 legs at legacies on narrow-body). 8-10 hour duty days. Same aircraft type every day reduces type-knowledge load.
Training Path
- 1Same as airline path → 1,500 ATP
- 2Apply to LCC after regional or as direct entry (Ryanair Cadets, JetBlue Gateway)
- 3B737 or A320 type rating at LCC expense
- 4Captain upgrade typically 4-8 years
Key Traits for Success
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southwest still considered LCC?
Operationally yes (single fleet, point-to-point). Pay-wise it's competitive with legacy narrow-body. Best treated as a hybrid in 2026.
Pros of LCC vs legacy?
Faster captain upgrades, often better schedule, single-fleet simplicity. Tradeoff: lower wide-body / international ceiling.
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