LEEDS- Jet2 (LS) has reopened applications for its fully funded Jet2FlightPath pilot training programme for 2026, offering at least 60 aspiring aviators the opportunity to qualify without covering training costs that typically exceed £100,000.
The initiative strengthens the airline’s long-term workforce strategy as it continues to expand operations from key bases, including London Gatwick Airport (LGW).
The UK’s third-largest airline confirmed that the second intake follows overwhelming demand during the programme’s debut year in 2025. With another cohort set to begin training this year, Jet2.com aims to widen access to commercial pilot careers while supporting fleet growth across Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa.
Jet2 Fully Funded Pilot Training
Jet2FlightPath removes one of the biggest barriers to entry in aviation: the cost of training. Selected candidates will complete an 18-month Airline Transport Pilot Licence training programme funded entirely by the airline.
Applicants must hold at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including mathematics and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications. This requirement makes the scheme more accessible than many traditional self-sponsored routes into commercial aviation.
After assessments and interviews, successful applicants will begin structured ATPL training in the UK, Spain, or the United States. Upon completion, trainees will receive Type Rating training on either Airbus or Boeing aircraft before joining the airline as First Officers.
Jet2.com continues to deliver the programme in partnership with Skyborne Airline Academy, Leading Edge Aviation, and FTE Jerez. These training providers support both academic instruction and practical flight development.
Jet2 is Boosting Diversity in Aviation
The airline reported receiving 18,000 applications for just 60 places during the first year of Jet2FlightPath. Candidates came from varied professional and educational backgrounds, including school leavers, university graduates, teachers, and former police officers.
Industry data shows that only 4 to 6 percent of pilots worldwide are women. More than 20 percent of successful candidates in the inaugural Jet2FlightPath intake were female, marking a meaningful step toward improving gender representation on the flight deck.
Ellie Wagg, a former NHS worker from Northamptonshire and member of the first cohort, described the programme as life-changing. She noted that financial barriers had previously made a pilot career feel unattainable, but the funded pathway allowed her to pursue aviation professionally:
Jet2FlightPath has made this career accessible to me, as the financial requirements of training were always the biggest barrier, so this funded pathway has removed that worry completely. It still doesn’t feel real, but I feel incredibly privileged and grateful to be starting this new chapter with Skyborne and Jet2.com.“
Training Will Support Fleet Expansion
Jet2.com currently employs more than 2,000 pilots and plans to operate 138 aircraft in Summer 2026. The airline will serve sun, ski, and city destinations across Europe and nearby regions from 14 UK airport bases.
The launch of operations from London Gatwick in March 2026 reflects broader growth ambitions. By the time the next intake begins training, at least 120 cadets will be progressing through Jet2FlightPath simultaneously.
Chief Executive Officer Steve Heapy stated that the programme plays a central role in securing future talent.
He emphasized that fully funding pilot training ensures the airline attracts skilled individuals while maintaining operational standards and supporting continued expansion.
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