2026 British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy
Job Description
2026 British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy
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
Summary of the 2026 British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy
- Type: Training
- Sponsor: British Airways
- Eligible Countries All
- Duration: 18-24 months
- Benefits: Training to obtain a frozen Airline Transport Pilot Licence (fATPL), Accommodation, Food (FTEJerez) or food allowance (Skyborne), Subsistence allowance
- Deadline: 23rd April, 2026
Eligibility Criteria for the 2026 British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy
- 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
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
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.
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.
Deadline: 23rd April, 2026