Pilotium Editorial Team
Feb 9, 2026
As airlines gear up for the 2026 peak travel season and continue expanding their fleets, pilot recruitment has clearly accelerated across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and beyond. While hiring remains selective, opportunities are real for pilots who align their experience, licences, and timing correctly.
Below is a curated, consolidated list of airlines hiring right now, including key requirements and recruitment notes—essential reading for pilots considering a move, upgrade, or first airline position.
Europe – Active Airline Hiring
Ryanair
Hiring status: Active – First Officers & Captains
Pilot requirements (typical):
Valid EASA or JAR-FCL licence (frozen ATPL accepted for FO)
Minimum 1,200 total hours
1,000+ hours on CS-25 aircraft
800 hours on B737-300 to 900
B737 300–900 type rating on licence
ICAO English Level 4+
EU/EEA passport
Why it matters:Ryanair remains Europe’s most consistent large-scale hirer, driven by continued B737-8200/MAX deliveries, high utilization, and steady attrition. Strong option for pilots seeking rapid hours and command progression.
Transavia
Hiring status: First Officers (Captains in select bases)
Pilot requirements:
EASA frozen ATPL + ME/IR (A)
500+ multi-engine hours (250 in last 12 months)
250+ hours on B737 NG
MCC completed within last 24 months
EU passport, ICAO English Level 4+
Why it matters:Transavia’s recruitment is more selective, favoring pilots with recent Boeing time and strong recency—ideal for experienced narrowbody FOs.
Lufthansa City Airlines
Hiring status: FOs & Captains (A320 / A220)
Pilot requirements:
EASA ATPL
A320 type rating strongly preferred
EU citizenship or German work permit
Captains: 3,500 TT / 1,000 PIC
ICAO English Level 4+
Notes:Training capacity constraints mean upgrade timelines can be long, especially for non-type-rated FOs.
Austrian Airlines
Hiring status: First Officers (incl. Ab Initio pipeline)
Pilot requirements:
EASA frozen ATPL or CPL/IR + ATPL theory
EU citizenship
Class 1 medical
ICAO English Level 4+
Why it matters:Strong cadet and early-career pathway, with in-house type training and long-term stability within Lufthansa Group.
Aurigny Air Services
Hiring status: ATR First Officers & Captains
Pilot requirements:
Frozen ATPL or ME/IR
ATR experience preferred
Tagging programmes available for cadets
Why it matters:Excellent turboprop entry point for pilots building airline experience in a stable regional environment.
Avion Express
Hiring status: A320 Captains & First Officers
Pilot requirements:
ATPL
A320 type rating
~3,000 TT preferred for Captains
Why it matters:Flexible bases, ACMI exposure, and strong demand during peak seasons.
Volotea
Hiring status: FO & Non-Type-Rated Captains
Pilot requirements:
EASA licence
Jet experience (requirements vary by role)
Why it matters:One of the few European airlines offering NTR Captain entry, attractive for experienced turboprop or jet FOs.
Cyprus Airways
Hiring status: First Officers (A320 / A220)
Pilot requirements:
EASA CPL/ATPL (frozen accepted)
EU work rights
ICAO English Level 4+
Why it matters:Growing carrier with lower-time friendly A220 opportunities.
Middle East – High-Demand, High-Reward Market
Emirates
Hiring status: First Officers & Direct Entry CaptainsWidebody fleet growth continues to drive long-term recruitment demand.
flydubai
Hiring status: B737 MAX First OfficersStrong narrowbody pathway with Middle East lifestyle and tax efficiency.
Qatar Airways
Hiring status: FOs & Captains (Airbus & Boeing fleets)Selective but consistent recruitment, including Qatar Executive.
Etihad Airways
Hiring status: A320 & widebody First OfficersBalanced narrowbody and long-haul opportunities.
Riyadh Air
Hiring status: Foundational FOs & CaptainsUnique chance to build a new airline from the ground up.
Asia-Pacific & Australasia
Qantas Group
Hiring status: A220 FOs & Training CaptainsStructured long-term career progression within Australia.
Singapore Airlines
Hiring status: Cadet & Ab Initio programmesOne of the strongest structured cadet pathways globally.
What’s Driving Hiring in Q2 2026
Fleet expansion finally converting into training demand
Post-pandemic retirements accelerating
Simulator and instructor capacity slowly improving
Strong rebound in leisure and long-haul markets
Pilotium Career Insight
Q2 2026 offers diverse entry points:
LCCs for fast hours & upgrades
Network carriers for long-term stability
Regionals for early airline exposure
Middle East for maximum savings
Cadet programmes for structured entry
Pilotium Tips for Applicants
✔ Licences & Class 1 medical fully current✔ ICAO English Level 4+ documented✔ CV tailored to fleet & airline culture✔ Simulator prep taken seriously✔ Recency maintained wherever possible
Pilotium Takeaway
Q2 2026 is one of the healthiest pilot hiring windows in recent years, but success depends on timing, preparation, and realistic targeting. Pilots who align their experience with the right fleet and region will find real opportunity.
At Pilotium, we don’t just list who’s hiring—we help you understand who you should apply to, and why.
