Major Airlines Jan 2026 hiring roundup

Pilot recruitment is moving fast across Europe, the Middle East, North America and beyond. Airlines are hiring cadets, First Officers, Senior First Officers and Direct Entry Captains across Airbus, Boeing and Embraer fleets, driven by fleet growth, command shortages and expanding networks.

In this latest jobs round-up, we break down who’s hiring, what they’re looking for, and where the real opportunities are, including low-cost, legacy, cargo and long-haul operators. Whether you’re targeting early command, lifestyle-focused short-haul flying, or widebody long-haul progression. Understanding entry routes, minimum requirements, simulator assessments and interview expectations is now just as important as total hours.

 

Wizz Air

Hiring positions: Cadet First Officers, Experienced First Officers (type-rated and non-type-rated), and Direct Entry Captains across the Airbus A320 family.

Airlines and bases: Wizz Air Hungary, Malta and UK, with bases across Europe and the UK.

Entry routes: A320 type-rated and non-type-rated Captain routes, dedicated Direct Entry Captain programmes (Airbus FBW or turbojet pathways), experienced FO recruitment streams, and cadet pathways typically aimed at applicants with ATPL theory complete.

Core requirements (typical): Valid EASA or UK CAA ATPL/CPL (as applicable to the AOC), Class 1 Medical, ICAO English Level 4–6, right to live/work for the relevant AOC, and minimum flight hours with factorised hours used for command roles in many cases.

Rosters and lifestyle: Multiple roster options exist depending on base, commonly including 5/4, 14/7, 14/14, 15/15, commuting, reverse, and “floating” arrangements.

Recruitment notes: Frequent assessment events, open days and roadshows (including overseas), selected sign-on / retention bonuses, and the Wizz Air Pilot Academy for zero-to-airline entry.

Careers link: https://careers.wizzair.com/go/Pilot-Jobs/5258601/

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)

Hiring positions: First Officer and Captain roles across the SAS Group, with short-haul and long-haul progression opportunities.

Bases: Copenhagen (CPH), Stockholm (ARN), Oslo (OSL), Bergen (BGO).

Fleets and progression: Airbus A320 family and Embraer 195LR, with potential progression to A330 and A350 long-haul operations.

Requirements (FO & Captain, typical): EASA ATPL/CPL/MPL (conversion required if not already Scandinavian-issued), EASA Class 1 Medical, MCC, Advanced UPRT, ICAO English Level 5–6, unrestricted right to live/work in the EU, clean criminal record, and successful security/background screening including alcohol & drug testing.

Contracts and rostering: Permanent contracts within a seniority-based system, fixed base, roster published monthly (released on the 16th of the prior month), minimum 11 days off per month, 42 days annual leave, and type rating funded by SAS.

Careers link: https://www.sasgroup.net/career/teams/pilot-jobs/

Emirates

Hiring positions: Direct Entry Captains, Accelerated Command First Officers, First Officers, and National Cadet Pilot Programme intakes.

Base: Dubai (DXB), with a global long-haul network.

Entry routes (typical thresholds described by Emirates recruitment info): Direct Entry Captain routes generally aimed at very high-time candidates, accelerated command for experienced FOs, FO entry for mid-time pilots, plus a structured cadet pathway for zero-hour entrants.

Core requirements (typical): ICAO ATPL or Frozen ATPL appropriate to role, Class 1 Medical, minimum flight time and recency requirements, English proficiency, plus multi-stage assessments including simulator evaluation and background checks.

Careers link: https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/pilots/

 

British Airways (BA Mainline + Cityflyer roles)

Hiring positions: Direct Entry Pilot roles across BA short-haul and long-haul, plus BA Cityflyer Direct Entry Pilot roles and a Cityflyer “Aspiration to Command” pathway.

Bases: Heathrow (short-haul and long-haul), London City (BA Cityflyer).

Entry routes: Short-haul A320 entry with longer-term fleet movement options, direct long-haul entry for suitably experienced pilots, and a structured Cityflyer FO-to-command pathway (timeframe dependent on vacancies/performance).

Core requirements (typical): UK CAA Part-FCL licence (ATPL/fATPL/MPL) or eligible EASA-to-UK conversion route, UK Class 1 Medical (or ability to obtain), ICAO Level 6, valid passport, plus role-specific hours and recency requirements. Multi-stage selection usually includes online stages, technical testing, group exercise, interview, simulator, and extensive pre-employment security screening.

Careers link: https://careers.ba.com/pilots

 

Virgin Atlantic

Hiring positions Experienced First Officers and Senior First Officers on long-haul fleets, with progression toward Captain.

Bases London Heathrow (LHR) and Manchester (MAN).

Core requirements (as published in typical vacancy criteria) UK CAA ATPL, UK Class 1 Medical, ICAO English Level 6, valid type rating on eligible aircraft and defined minimum total time and on-type hours (often with recency conditions), plus 5-year background screening and drug & alcohol testing.

Careers link: https://careers.virginatlantic.com/pilots

 

Jet2.com

Hiring positions Non-Type Rated Captains, Type Rated Captains, First Officers, Senior First Officers, Future Second Officers (Frozen ATPL), plus pathways for ex-military pilots.

Bases and operation UK-based, short-haul leisure network with basing confirmed at offer.

Entry routes Direct Entry Captains (rated and non-rated), experienced FO/SFO routes, Future Second Officer programme with funded type rating for Frozen ATPL holders, and dedicated military transition support via webinars and roadshows.

Core requirements (typical, role-dependent) UK licence (or ability to hold one concurrently), Class 1 Medical, ICAO English Level 5+, right to work in the UK. Command roles typically require high total time with significant multi-crew command experience.

Careers link: https://jet2careers.com/pilot-careers/

KLM (KLM + KLM Cityhopper)

Hiring positions Qualified pilots for KLM and Cityhopper (experienced civilian and eligible EU military pilots).

Typical eligibility (as published in KLM recruitment guidance) EASA (Frozen) ATPL(A) with valid multi-pilot type rating, current Class 1 Medical (licence/medical issued in or convertible to the Netherlands), ICAO English Level 6, MCC, Initial CRM, Advanced UPRT, EU passport, and additional requirements such as swimming ability and height range. Dutch language progression is typically expected over time, with promotion linked to language milestones.

Careers link: https://careers.klm.com/en/working-in-the-cockpit/

Luxair

Hiring positions Captains and First Officers on Boeing 737 and Embraer E1/E2 fleets, including permanent, seasonal, cadet and sponsorship pathways (availability varies).

Typical requirements (role-dependent) EASA Part-FCL ATPL/CPL with frozen ATPL, Class 1 Medical, strong English proficiency, and type rating requirements where applicable. Luxair frequently highlights funded type ratings and structured salary progression.

Careers link: https://www.luxair.lu/en/pilot/

Air Astana

Hiring positions Direct Entry Captains, First Officers (type-rated and non-type-rated), low-time FO roles for Kazakh citizens, and ab-initio cadets.

Typical requirements (role-dependent) CAO ATPL/CPL with ATPL theory credits, Class 1 Medical, ICAO English (often Level 4+), recency and multi-crew jet requirements for experienced roles, plus citizenship requirements for national cadet/low-time streams.

Careers link: https://job.airastana.com/en/Home/Pilots

airBaltic

Hiring positions A220 Direct Entry Captains and Senior First Officers, with structured fast-track command options.

Bases and gateways Riga with bases in Tallinn and Vilnius, plus gateway-style options that can support commuting depending on the recruitment model.

Core requirements (typical) EU ATPL/CPL, EASA Class 1 Medical, ICAO English Level 4+, defined minimum hours by rank, and company-funded A220 type rating typically linked to a service bond.

Careers link: https://careers.airbaltic.com/en/teams/pilots

SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines)

Hiring positions Ready Entry First Officers (Shorthaul) and Direct Entry First Officers on A320 and A330.

Typical entry criteria (as per your summary) EASA ATPL/CPL/IR or MPL, Class 1, Advanced UPRT, EU-27/EFTA or Swiss passport, German B2 minimum, English ICAO 4+, clean record, defined height range, and role-specific minimum hours/on-type thresholds (e.g., 600h on >5.7t for ready entry; 800h on type for some direct entry roles).

Careers link: https://apply.lufthansagroup.careers/index.php?ac=search_result&search_criterion_channel%5B%5D=12

Qantas Group

Hiring positions Roles vary across QantasLink, freight, A220 operators and New Zealand-based flying depending on recruitment cycles. Your current list includes Dash 8 Q400, A321, B737, A220 and A320/F100 opportunities across group airlines.

Typical requirements (role-dependent) CASA ATPL/CPL with theory passes, Class 1, ICAO English Level 6, instrument rating and endorsements, and minimum hours that can start around 500 hours for some FO pathways but increase significantly for senior roles.

Careers link: https://careers.qantas.com/teams-pilots-flying-operations

United Airlines

Hiring positions Mainline First Officers, military pilots, and structured pathways via Aviate (including academy and partner routes).

Typical requirements For mainline FO roles, United’s recruitment model generally expects an unrestricted FAA ATP and strong turbine experience, with selection through a structured pathway ecosystem.

Careers link: https://careers.united.com/us/en/pilots

Air Canada

Hiring positions Direct entry pilots for mainline (non–AC Express), typically starting as First Officers or Relief Pilots depending on fleet and seniority needs.

Typical requirements Canadian ATPL with Group 1 Instrument Rating, substantial fixed-wing time (often 2,000+ hours), medical and work-right eligibility, plus carrier-specific selection and training.

Careers link: https://careers.aircanada.com/ca/en/job/36074/Pilot-for-non-AC-Express-Pilots-only

One Air (UK Cargo)

Hiring positions Type-rated B777/B787 Senior First Officers and First Officers, plus B747 Captains, Senior First Officers and First Officers (as advertised by campaign).

Typical requirements UK CAA ATPL, Class 1 Medical, valid type rating with recency, UK right to work, valid passport, and defined hours by rank and fleet.

Careers link: https://oneair.aero/careers/

Spirit Airlines

Hiring positions Spirit recruits Airbus A320 family First Officers (and periodically Captains depending on manpower cycles).

Minimum requirements (from Spirit’s pilot careers page) Spirit’s pilot recruitment page highlights minimum requirements including: 1,500 hours total flight time, a current unrestricted ATP (multi-engine land), and a current FAA First Class Medical.

Careers link: https://careers.spirit.com/pilots-go-further

Frontier Airlines

Hiring positions First Officers plus structured cadet, university pathway, and rotor transition programs.

Typical requirements FAA ATP, Class 1 Medical, minimum flight time thresholds (often 1,500 TT, with higher preferred), passport/work rights, and base/commuting suitability.

Careers link: https://www.flyfrontier.com/careers/pilot/?mobile=true

Southwest Airlines

Hiring positions Commercial airline pilot opportunities (mainline), with feeder/pathway alignment through Destination 225°.

Published minimum / preferred experience highlights (from Southwest careers page excerpt) Southwest’s careers page lists preference markers including 500 hours in fixed-wing turbine (or completion of a Destination 225° pathway), and notes about how PIC time is defined and what time counts (fixed-wing only).

Careers link: https://careers.southwestair.com/us/en/pilots

Riyadh Air

Hiring positions Riyadh Air is building founding flightcrew across fleets as advertised on its careers site; vacancy details and minimums are shown per job posting.

Example minimum requirements (from a posted First Officer role) One advertised First Officer role states minimum 2,000 hours total flying time on multi-crew, multi-engine jet aircraft (operating seat time only), a valid ICAO ATPL, unrestricted Class 1 Medical, and ICAO English Level 4+.

Careers links: https://www.riyadhair.com/en/careers/pilots

Vacancy portal: https://pilots-riyadhair.icims.com/jobs/search

Ryanair Group

Hiring positions Cadets (ab-initio and licensed), direct entry First Officers, and experienced Captains across Ryanair Group airlines.

Typical requirements EASA licence pathways, strong English proficiency, and suitability for a high-utilisation SOP-driven environment. Rosters and pay models vary by contract type and base; Ryanair commonly promotes predictable rosters and base choice.

Careers link: https://careers.ryanair.com/pilots/

Qatar Airways

Hiring positions Type-rated and non-type-rated First Officers and Captains across Airbus and Boeing fleets, plus Qatar Executive pilots.

Typical requirements ICAO/EASA/FAA ATPL or frozen ATPL (with CPL issued by same authority), Class 1 Medical, English Level 4+, instrument rating, and recency requirements (often within the last 12 months), plus document verification and assessments.

Careers link: https://careers.qatarairways.com/global/SearchJobs

TUI fly Netherlands (B737)

Hiring positions Type-rated B737 First Officers and Non-type rated First Officers (ZFTT route), typically on permanent full-time contracts based at Amsterdam.

Key requirements (as per your summary) EASA frozen ATPL, Class 1, EU/EEA passport, right to live/work in the Netherlands, ability to reach Schiphol within 60 minutes (no commuting contracts), ICAO English thresholds by role, and ZFTT eligibility for the sponsored route (often 500 hours or 100 sectors on qualifying aircraft types). A bond may apply for company-funded rating routes.

Careers link: https://careers.tuigroup.com/en/pilots

Volotea

Hiring positions A320 Captains (type-rated and non-type-rated) plus structured progression levels including FO and SFO.

Published progression framework (Volotea pilots page excerpt) Volotea describes an FO track and a Senior First Officer step around 3,000 “factorised” hours, with upgrade eligibility tied to experience thresholds and internal progression.

Careers link: https://jobs.volotea.com/pilots/

Etihad

Hiring positions A320 Captains and First Officers, B777 Freighter First Officers, plus a UAE National Cadet Pilot Programme intake.

Typical requirements (role-specific, as per your summary) Defined minimum total time, command time and on-type recency thresholds depending on fleet and seat, ICAO ATPL/frozen ATPL, Class 1 Medical, ICAO English 4+, and age limits per role.

Careers link: https://careers.etihad.com/

Airlines included as “link-only” sources (check the advert for current availability) – These airlines currently do not have open positions, but keep an eye out for them to reopen.

 

CAN WE HELP YOU?

We offer the following support:

For pilots applying to any of the roles above, Aviation Insider provides structured, airline-specific preparation designed to help you perform when it matters. Our airline assessment and interview guides are built from real candidate feedback and current selection formats, covering technical interviews, HR and competency questions, group exercises, and airline-specific simulator profiles. We also offer CV and cover letter support tailored to airline recruitment teams, ensuring your application gets through the initial screening stage and accurately reflects your experience and suitability for the role.

For candidates who want a more personalised approach, we provide one-to-one interview preparation with experienced airline pilots and instructors, alongside simulator assessment preparation for both short-haul and long-haul fleets. This includes raw data handling, SOP-driven profiles, CRM assessment focus, and airline-specific grading expectations. Beyond recruitment, we also support pilots operationally with licensing and currency services, including keeping you current on the Airbus A320 and A330, Boeing 737, 777 and 787, and the Embraer 190, as well as ATPL unfreezing across all of these aircraft types. Whether you’re preparing for your first airline assessment or returning to the flight deck after time away, our goal is simple: clear preparation, current standards, and no surprises on the day.

Written by Aviation Insider
24th January 2026