Pilot Salary at easyJet

Typical upgrade timelines at easyJet have ranged from four to seven years as a First Officer, though this varies sharply by base and fleet expansion pace. There is no published minimum hours figure for command, but candidates are generally expected to hold around 3,000 hours total time and demonstrate Command Course readiness assessed internally. During periods of rapid growth — as seen 2022 to 2024 — some FOs upgraded closer to the four-year mark at expanding bases. Contraction phases can push this beyond six years. The A321neo expansion has created incremental command opportunities at select bases.

easyJet offers a defined contribution pension scheme, not a final salary arrangement. Employer contributions have been reported at around 8 to 10 percent of pensionable pay, with pilots able to make additional voluntary contributions. This is broadly in line with UK LCC norms but trails legacy carriers such as British Airways, whose New Airways Pension Scheme or NAPS successor offers more favourable long-term accrual for long-tenured pilots. For financial planning purposes, easyJet pilots should model DC outcomes carefully given the absence of a guaranteed annuity floor. Salary sacrifice arrangements are available and commonly used to improve tax efficiency on contributions.

easyJet does not have a structured in-house cadet programme in the way that Lufthansa or Air France operate, but it has historically partnered with approved training organisations including Oxford Aviation Academy and CAE for cadet pipelines that feed directly into easyJet First Officer roles upon licence issue. Minimum entry requirements for direct-entry FO positions typically sit at 200 hours for cadets coming through approved pathways, and higher for open applications. As of 2025 and looking into 2026, easyJet's hiring posture has been selective but active, with base-specific vacancies driven by attrition and limited fleet growth rather than aggressive expansion hiring.

A First Officer at easyJet earns £48,000 in year 1, rising to £80,000 by year 10. Captains earn £115,000 initially, reaching £165,000 at year 10.

Yes, easyJet is actively hiring pilots in 2026. Minimum flight hours required: 500.

easyJet requires a minimum of 500 total flight hours. You may need to obtain a type rating at your own expense.

No, easyJet typically requires pilots to have a type rating before joining. Self-sponsored type ratings on A319, A320, A321neo are common.

Career progression at easyJet is rated as "Average". Pilots are unionized, which provides structured seniority-based advancement. Quality of life is rated 4/5.