Which Type Rating Should You Get? Boeing vs Airbus and How to Choose
Your first type rating is one of the most important career decisions you will make as a pilot. It determines which airlines you can apply to, which fleet you will fly, and often which career trajectory you follow for years. Here is how to make that decision wisely.
The Two-Horse Race: B737 vs A320
The vast majority of airline pilots worldwide fly one of these two aircraft families. There are good reasons for this:
- Boeing 737 family: Over 10,800 aircraft in service worldwide. Operators include Southwest, Ryanair, United, American, Delta, and hundreds more.
- Airbus A320 family: Over 10,200 aircraft in service. Operators include easyJet, IndiGo, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, Lufthansa, and hundreds more.
Together, they represent roughly 60% of all commercial aircraft in service.
Boeing 737: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Dominant in North America (Southwest, United, American all operate large 737 fleets)
- Traditional yoke-and-column controls — feels like a conventional aircraft
- Strong cargo airline presence (737 freighter conversions)
- Well-established training infrastructure globally
Cons:
- Transitioning to Airbus later requires differences training (different philosophy)
- Some airlines are shifting to A320neo orders
- Older 737NG cockpits feel dated compared to A320neo
Airbus A320: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Dominant in Europe, Asia, and Middle East
- Sidestick fly-by-wire — modern, ergonomic cockpit
- A320 type rating gives commonality with A330/A340/A350 (easier transition to widebody)
- A320neo outselling 737 MAX in recent orders
- Growing presence in North America (JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit)
Cons:
- Transitioning to Boeing later requires adjustment to different control philosophy
- Fewer cargo conversion opportunities than 737
- Some pilots find fly-by-wire less intuitive initially
How to Choose: The Decision Matrix
| Factor | Favors B737 | Favors A320 |
|---|---|---|
| Target airline is in North America | X | |
| Target airline is in Europe or Middle East | X | |
| Want widebody transition (long-haul career) | X (Airbus commonality) | |
| Want cargo career | X | |
| Prefer traditional controls | X | |
| Prefer modern fly-by-wire | X | |
| Target airline operates this type | Check their fleet | Check their fleet |
The most important factor: which type does your target airline operate? Everything else is secondary.
Type Rating Costs
| Location | B737 | A320 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $20,000 - $35,000 | $20,000 - $35,000 |
| Europe | EUR 25,000 - 40,000 | EUR 25,000 - 40,000 |
| Asia (Thailand, Philippines) | $15,000 - $25,000 | $15,000 - $25,000 |
| Included in airline hiring | Free (bonded contract) | Free (bonded contract) |
Should You Self-Fund or Wait for an Airline?
Self-fund if:
- You have the financial means
- You want to be competitive immediately
- Target airlines strongly prefer type-rated pilots
- You are applying to Middle Eastern or Asian carriers
Wait for airline sponsorship if:
- Target airline provides type rating as part of training
- You cannot afford self-funding without excessive debt
- US regionals will type-rate you upon hiring
- Bond periods (2-5 years) do not concern you
Beyond B737 and A320: Other Options
Regional Aircraft
- Embraer E-Jet (E170/175/190/195): Popular in North America and Europe. Good stepping stone.
- CRJ 200/700/900: Still operated widely by regional airlines.
- ATR 42/72: Dominant in short-haul turboprop operations worldwide.
Widebody Aircraft
Usually obtained through airline upgrade, not self-funded:
- Boeing 777/787: Premium long-haul type rating
- Airbus A330/A350: Growing widebody fleet
- Boeing 747: Cargo operations (FedEx, UPS, Atlas)
Business Aviation
- Cessna Citation series: Entry-level jet
- Gulfstream G450/G550/G650: Premium corporate
- Bombardier Challenger/Global: Corporate and charter
The Training Process
A type rating typically takes 4-8 weeks:
Week 1-2: Ground School
- Aircraft systems (hydraulic, electrical, fuel, pneumatic)
- Flight management system (FMS) programming
- Normal and abnormal procedures
- Performance calculations
- Tip: Study systems before ground school using Rotate's aircraft database to familiarize yourself
Week 3-4: Fixed-Base Simulator (FTD)
- Normal operations: startup, taxi, takeoff, cruise, approach, landing
- Instrument procedures
- FMS programming
- Basic abnormals
Week 5-6: Full Flight Simulator (FFS)
- Advanced abnormals: engine failure, fire, decompression
- LOFT (Line-Oriented Flight Training) scenarios
- Weather operations
- Emergency procedures
Week 7-8: Skill Test / Check Ride
- Oral examination on systems and procedures
- Simulator check covering normal and abnormal operations
- Line-oriented evaluation
Tips for Success
- Study systems before you arrive — candidates who pre-study have dramatically higher pass rates
- Memorize memory items — engine fire, rapid decompression, etc. These must be automatic.
- Learn the FMS — watch YouTube tutorials for your aircraft's FMC/MCDU
- Practice flows — use cockpit poster apps to learn switch locations
- Sleep well — type rating training is exhausting. Do not sacrifice sleep for extra study.
- Use Rotate's aircraft profiles to understand specs, performance, and operational details before training begins
Your Next Step
Visit Rotate's aircraft directory to research the aircraft types that interest you. Understand the specifications, the operators, and the career paths each type opens. Then use our airline comparison tool to match aircraft types with airlines that fit your career goals.
The type rating is an investment. Make it an informed one.
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