British Airways Speedbird Pilot Training Academy 2026

Applications for Speedbird Pilot Academy role are now open

Each year, the Speedbird Pilot Academy Cadet programme provides fully-funded flight training for a select number of candidates.

By removing the initial training cost barrier, we’re levelling the playing field and making a flying career more accessible to a much wider range of people.

Integrated flight training courses are full-time and take 18-24 months to complete. If you are successful in flight training, you will join us as a British Airways Pilot.

What will my training involve?

Here's a rundown of Flight Training, from Ground School to qualified Pilot:

• Ground School (6 to 8 months) – You’ll be completing 13 pilot exams
• Basic Flight Training (6 months) – This takes you from having never flown an aircraft before to being competent at flying solo
• Advanced Flight Training (4 to 6 months) – You will move onto twin-engine aircraft and begin learning to fly off instruments, as well as simulating flying through clouds and bad weather
• Upset Recovery Training (3 flights) – During this stage, you will fly aerobatics and be taught how to recover from a high-nose or low-nose flight
• APS MCC (3 to 4 weeks) – This is learning how to fly in a multi-crew environment. Most schools use A320 or 737 simulators for this phase

• Table of Content
• About British Airways
• British Airways Speedbird Pilot Training Academy
• Aim and Benefits of British Airways Speedbird Pilot Training Academy
• Requirements for British Airways Speedbird Pilot Training Academy Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About British Airways

We’re the nation’s flag carrier, the airline that connects 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 in 1919. Being able to stand proudly at the pinnacle of the aviation industry throughout our history is down to one thing: our people. We know great things can happen when you’re inspired to think big and bring your ambition to work every day. Welcome to British Airways, where the sky is... continue reading

British Airways Speedbird Pilot Training Academy

Aim and Benefits of British Airways Speedbird Pilot Training Academy

Benefits on offer

• Training to obtain a frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence (fATPL)
• Accommodation
• Food (FTEJerez) or food allowance (Skyborne)
• Subsistence allowance
• Financial support to obtain your Class 1 medical and relevant Class 2
• Dynamic career path
• Varied roster patterns
• Company pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution)
• Life insurance benefits
• Great family leave benefits
• Includes British Airways employee benefits as soon as you join

Requirements for British Airways Speedbird Pilot Training Academy Qualification

• You'll be 17-58 years of age to apply and 18 years of age to start training
• Six GCSEs grade A-C or 4-9, including Maths, English Language and a Science or equivalent qualifications
• Fluent in English
• A valid passport which permits unrestricted worldwide travel
• Your height must be between 1.57m (5'2") and 1.90m (6'3"). If your height is outside of this range, you may be required to undergo a functionality check.
• Able to obtain and hold a UK CAA Class 1 medical with no restrictions and meet British Airways medical criteria
• Before training starts, you must have completed referencing and pre-employment checks
• Have the right to live and work in the UK without sponsorship

Check also:
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship to Study in UK 2027/2028
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Africans 2027 (Fully Funded to USA)

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Pre-application task

First, register an account on our Prep & Apply hub. Here, you can explore what being a British Airways pilot means for your career and lifestyle, as well as speak to one of our mentors. You can find all our preparation materials here too.

Prep & Apply hub

Stage 1

Once you have completed activities on our Prep & Apply hub, you can begin your application if you are eligible. You will then be invited to complete a series of online assessments, followed by a verbal speaking activity.

Stage 2

Successful candidates will complete a range of more in-depth psychometric testing. Those that pass will be invited to our head office, Waterside, for a group exercise and multitasking assessment lasting half a day. The flight school will also run an online interview with you.

Stage 3

If you reach the final stage, you will return to Waterside for a full assessment day focusing on you as an individual. We’ll also give you a tour of our British Airways Heritage Centre as a thank you for the time and effort you’ve put into the process.

To help you prepare further

Below are some useful links to help you prepare for the upcoming applications to complement our Prep & Apply hub.

Have a question? Please view our Speedbird Pilot Academy FAQs(opens in new window)

Flight schools:

At the application stage you will be asked to give a preference of what flight school you would like to attend. Please visit their sites for more information.

FTEJerez - FTEJerez | Flight Training Europe(opens in new window)

Skyborne - British Airways | Skyborne Airline Academy UK(opens in new window)

Useful links:

CAA Class 1 Medical information - Apply for a Class 1 medical certificate | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)(opens in new window)

Interview preparation - Interview advice | National Careers Service(opens in new window)

Qualification equivalents: ecctis.com(opens in new window)

Pre-application task

First, register an account on our Prep & Apply hub. Here, you can explore what being a British Airways pilot means for your career and lifestyle, as well as speak to one of our mentors. You can find all our preparation materials here too.

Prep & Apply hub

Stage 1

Once you have completed activities on our Prep & Apply hub, you can begin your application if you are eligible. You will then be invited to complete a series of online assessments, followed by a verbal speaking activity.

Stage 2

Successful candidates will complete a range of more in-depth psychometric testing. Those that pass will be invited to our head office, Waterside, for a group exercise and multitasking assessment lasting half a day. The flight school will also run an online interview with you.

Stage 3

If you reach the final stage, you will return to Waterside for a full assessment day focusing on you as an individual. We’ll also give you a tour of our British Airways Heritage Centre as a thank you for the time and effort you’ve put into the process.

To help you prepare further

Below are some useful links to help you prepare for the upcoming applications to complement our Prep & Apply hub.

Have a question? Please view our Speedbird Pilot Academy FAQs(opens in new window)

Flight schools:

At the application stage you will be asked to give a preference of what flight school you would like to attend. Please visit their sites for more information.

FTEJerez - FTEJerez | Flight Training Europe(opens in new window)

Skyborne - British Airways | Skyborne Airline Academy UK(opens in new window)

Useful links:

CAA Class 1 Medical information - Apply for a Class 1 medical certificate | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)(opens in new window)

Interview preparation - Interview advice | National Careers Service(opens in new window)

Qualification equivalents: ecctis.com(opens in new window)

For more Information, visit British Airways Career webpage