Direct Entry Pilot - Long-haul- UK CAA licence holder
CompanyBritish Airways
Location
Hounslow, England, United Kingdom
Employment TypeFull-time
Posted At2/17/2026
UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics
Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (29.0%).
Occupation Type
Publicans and managers of licensed premises
Occupation Code Skill LevelMedium Skilled
Sponsorship EligibilityIneligible for Sponsorship
Above analytics are generated algorithmically based on job titles and may not always be the same as the company's job classification. You can also check detailed occupation eligibility, and salary criteria on our UK Visa Eligible Occupations & Salary Thresholds page.
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Description
A career without limits
As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.
This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners and our colleagues.
So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.
We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.
The role: Direct Entry Pilot – Long-haul - UK CAA licence holder
The customer is at the heart of everything that we do. Your goal will be to provide the very best flight experience possible for each passenger. Wherever you are going, your flying will be world class. The life of a commercial pilot is exciting, and you’ll be challenged every day to perform to the highest standards.
As a pilot in British Airways, your career path is never defined. Starting on one of our 4 long-haul fleets you will be able to choose if you want to transfer to another long-haul fleet or our short-haul fleet to become a captain. Your lifestyle is important to us and with a huge variety of roles outside of flying, from training to recruiting the pilots of the future, there are countless opportunities.
Not only will you have the chance to further your career development within BA, but you’ll also have access to our competitive reward and benefits package.
Work-life balance
With nearly 70 long-haul aircraft on order this is an exciting time to join our pilot community.
We’ve recently introduced significant roster enhancements to give our pilots greater flexibility and balance. Expect more time to rest after blocks of work, reduced monthly flying targets, shorter working blocks, and fewer standby periods. Plus, we’ve increased opportunities for guaranteed days off.
What You’ll Bring To British Airways
As the nation’s flag carrier, we take great pride in connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain.
It’s something we’ve been doing for over 100 years, ever since we launched the world’s first international scheduled air service between London and Paris.
This originality has been in our blood since day one. It’s the spirit we share with the people that fly with us, our partners and our colleagues.
So, whether you are a reassuring voice on the end of a phone, a smile at the door, under a wing keeping the turbines spinning or landing us gently in far-flung places, a job at British Airways is yours to make.
We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day, which is why, at British Airways the sky is never the limit.
The role: Direct Entry Pilot – Long-haul - UK CAA licence holder
The customer is at the heart of everything that we do. Your goal will be to provide the very best flight experience possible for each passenger. Wherever you are going, your flying will be world class. The life of a commercial pilot is exciting, and you’ll be challenged every day to perform to the highest standards.
As a pilot in British Airways, your career path is never defined. Starting on one of our 4 long-haul fleets you will be able to choose if you want to transfer to another long-haul fleet or our short-haul fleet to become a captain. Your lifestyle is important to us and with a huge variety of roles outside of flying, from training to recruiting the pilots of the future, there are countless opportunities.
Not only will you have the chance to further your career development within BA, but you’ll also have access to our competitive reward and benefits package.
Work-life balance
With nearly 70 long-haul aircraft on order this is an exciting time to join our pilot community.
We’ve recently introduced significant roster enhancements to give our pilots greater flexibility and balance. Expect more time to rest after blocks of work, reduced monthly flying targets, shorter working blocks, and fewer standby periods. Plus, we’ve increased opportunities for guaranteed days off.
What You’ll Bring To British Airways
Minimum criteria to apply:
Current type rating* with a minimum of 1500 hours total time. This must include a minimum of 500 hours on a relevant aeroplane type** and may include a maximum of 100 hours in a suitable simulator Flying experience on a relevant aeroplane type within the past 12 months*** UK Part-FCL licence (ATPL(A) or meet the hours requirements to obtain an ATPL(A)****) UK issued CAA Class 1 medical certificate with at least 6 months validity remaining from date of joining Height between 1.57m (5’2”) and 1.91m (6’3”). Qualified pilots taller than 1.91m may submit an application but will be required to undergo a functionality check to confirm their ability to meet requirements of the seating positions in the variety of BA fleets Good level of physical fitness Spoken and written English ICAO level 6 Valid passport (minimum 12 months before expiry date) Able to comply with British Airways' uniform standards - tattoos are permissible as long as they are not on the hands, face or head Ability to swim 50m (55 yards) followed by treading water for 3 minutes and be able to assist people in water
- Able to tread water whilst fitting a lifejacket and pull your own body weight out of the water and into a life raft using the hand holds on the side of the raft
- The current type rating does not need to be on your UK licence. You must however, still be in possession of a UK fATPL(A)/ ATPL(A) i.e. did not surrender your UK licence to gain an EASA/ICAO licence
- The Part-FCL definition of a relevant aeroplane type is a multi-pilot turbo-jet aircraft certified to the standards of CS-25 or equivalent airworthiness code, or a multi-pilot turbo-prop aeroplane having a maximum certificated take-off mass of not less than 10 tonnes or a certified passenger seating configuration of more than 19 passengers.
- To be eligible for Zero Flight Time Training (ZFTT) - you must have relevant aeroplane type experience within 12 months preceding the commencement of a ZFTT Conversion course.
Opportunities Available
Job opportunities are available on all fleets. Only CCQ courses available on long-haul Airbus fleets. 777 pilots operate out of LHR and LGW*****; 777 pilots will also operate the Boeing 777X when it enters service. A limited number of vacancies exist on other fleets, with preference given to those that hold a current rating on the aircraft type. Moves to other fleets will be processed via the internal fleet move system and awarded on a seniority basis.
We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity at British Airways. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, age, marital status, veteran status or disability status. This job description aims to provide information essential to understanding the scope of the role, as well as the overall nature and level of work carried out by job holders in this position.
However, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
- Hotel accommodation can be requested and will be provided for 777 LGW flights on the day before duty and a day room after landing, if the flight duty period is over 8 hours and is not a positioning sector.
We believe that all the people who work with us should feel valued for the part they play. It’s one of the reasons our rewards go far beyond a competitive salary.
From the day you join us, you’ll get access to brilliant staff travel benefits including unlimited basic and premium standby tickets on British Airways flights. You’ll also receive up to 30 discounted 'Hotline' airfares per year for yourself, friends and family.
At British Airways you’ll have the chance to take on new challenges and move forward in a way that feels right for you. We encourage all those who work for us to consider opportunities right across our business to help you develop and progress.
We never stand still, and we don’t expect our people to either.
- Dynamic Career Path
We recognise that all our colleagues are uniquely different and bring their own originality, creativity, and identity to work. We encourage people from all backgrounds to be part of our journey to become a Better BA
Reapplication process
Candidates who were not successful at initial screening, video interview, capacity testing or assessment centre stage can reapply for the pilot recruitment campaign after 6 months from their most recent assessment date. Candidates who were not successful at the SIM stage must wait 12 months before reapplying for the pilot recruitment campaign.
You may only apply to one airline within the British Airways family (British Airways, Euroflyer or Cityflyer) at a time. If you are unsuccessful in one campaign, you will be unable to reapply to any of the three airlines within the British Airways family until the specified re-application period has elapsed.
Long-haul suitability will be assessed during simulator assessment. If you do not meet the long haul requirements you may be offered a role on our short-haul fleet.
Successful candidates will enter a hold pool. Candidates in the hold pool will receive a maximum of 2 job offers. If a candidate turns down their second job offer, they will exit the hold pool and be required to reapply after 12 months and complete the entire selection process again.
## If you are a current BA Cityflyer Pilot you must apply via Jobsearch ##