Air France (AF) is the flag carrier of France and one of Europe’s largest full-service airlines. Headquartered in Paris, the airline operates an extensive network spanning Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East through its major hubs at Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly airports.
As a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance and part of the Air France-KLM Group, Air France offers pilots opportunities across both short-haul European operations and long-haul international services. The airline continues investing heavily in fleet modernisation, introducing new-generation Airbus A350 and Airbus A220 aircraft while retiring older aircraft types.
In 2026, Air France pilot salaries remain among the most competitive in continental Europe. Compensation includes fixed salary, seniority increments, flight pay, international allowances, overtime compensation, and profit-sharing mechanisms negotiated through collective agreements.
Air France Pilot Salary
Air France First Officer Salary
In 2026, first officers at Air France generally earn between €65,000 and €130,000 per year, approximately USD 74,000 to USD 148,000 annually, depending on seniority, fleet assignment and yearly flying hours. Newly recruited first officers operating Airbus A220 and Airbus A320 family aircraft usually begin toward the lower end of the salary range.
As pilots gain experience and transition to long-haul fleets such as the Airbus A350, Boeing 777 and Boeing 787, annual earnings increase significantly through international allowances, productivity supplements and additional flying compensation. Senior long-haul first officers often earn toward the upper end of the pay scale.
Air France operates under structured collective bargaining agreements, providing relatively stable salary progression and predictable career advancement opportunities throughout a pilot’s career.
Air France Captain Salary
Captains at Air France earn substantially more due to command responsibilities and long-term seniority progression. In 2026, captains typically earn between €180,000 and €350,000 per year, equivalent to approximately USD 205,000 to USD 398,000 annually, depending on aircraft type, seniority, and operational productivity.
Newly upgraded narrow-body captains generally earn toward the lower end of the range, while senior commanders operating Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft on ultra-long-haul international routes earn considerably higher annual compensation through additional flying pay and international allowances.
Training captains, line check pilots and examiner captains may receive additional remuneration beyond standard command salary scales. Air France’s extensive international network and strong union agreements continue to support some of the highest pilot earnings within the European airline industry.
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Benefits Enjoyed by Air France Pilots
Air France pilots are entitled to the following perks while being employed with the French flag carrier.
- Travel Privileges – Pilots and eligible family members receive discounted and standby travel benefits across Air France, KLM and SkyTeam partner airlines.
- Profit Sharing And Bonuses – Eligible pilots may participate in company profit-sharing and performance-based compensation programmes.
- International Layover Allowances – Pilots receive allowances covering meals and incidental expenses during overseas operations.
- Retirement and Pension Benefits – Air France provides pension and retirement programmes under French employment regulations.
- Medical and Insurance Coverage – Comprehensive healthcare and insurance benefits are available for pilots and eligible dependents.
- Strong Union Protection – Pilot contracts and working conditions are protected through collective bargaining agreements.
- Training and Career Development – Air France provides recurrent simulator training and structured progression opportunities across multiple fleets.
- Fleet Modernisation Opportunities – Pilots have opportunities to operate next-generation aircraft, including the Airbus A350 and Airbus A220.
What Aircraft Do Air France Pilots Fly?
Air France operates one of Europe’s largest and most modern mixed fleets with current aircraft types consisting of the following.
- Airbus A220-300 – 56
- Airbus A318-100 – 4
- Airbus A319-100 – 3
- Airbus A320-200 – 36
- Airbus A321-100 – 2
- Airbus A321-200 – 10
- Airbus A330-200 – 10
- Airbus A350-900 – 41
- Boeing 777-200ER – 18
- Boeing 777-300ER – 43
- Boeing 787-9 – 10
In addition to a wide existing fleet, the carrier also has the following planes on order.
- Airbus A220-300 – 4
- Airbus A350-900 – 25
- Airbus A350-1000 – 3
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Requirements To Become A Pilot for Air France
Air France requires all its pilot candidates to fulfil the following requirements, with type-ratings and experience hours variable on the nature of each role.
- Be a national of one of the member states of the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation.
- Be fluent in French. Candidates whose French is not their mother tongue must hold FCL 055 level 6 in French.
- Hold a valid ATPL or CPL/IRME.
- Hold a theoretical ATPL issued by an ATO certified by one of the Member States of the European Union.
- Hold a valid ‘class 1’ medical certificate.
- Hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of crew training (MCC).
- Hold a UPRT training certificate (for applicants who do not hold a QT CS25).
- Not having already failed 2 times in PSY2 for an Air France Commercial Pilot selection test.
- Have a level equal to or above 5 on the language skills assessment scale: FCL 055 / 055D, currently valid.
- Have a TOEIC (LR = Listening and Reading) Test score of at least 850, less than 2 years old at the time of selection.
- Submit 1 copy of the last 2 pages of your logbook, certified on your honour, and 1 certificate from your employer validating these flight hours.
Hiring Process for Air France Pilots
Air France’s hiring process for pilots consists of the following steps.
- Application – Candidates submit applications with licences, medical certificates, flight logs and employment documentation through Air France’s recruitment system.
- Initial Screening – Recruitment teams evaluate qualifications, total flight hours, educational background and operational experience before selecting candidates for assessment.
- Psychometric and Aptitude Testing – Applicants complete assessments designed to evaluate cognitive ability, situational judgement, multitasking capability and decision-making skills relevant to airline operations.
- Technical Assessment And Simulator Evaluation – Candidates undergo technical interviews and simulator assessments where examiners assess aircraft handling, CRM, standard operating procedures and operational decision-making.
- HR and Pilot Interviews – Successful candidates participate in interviews with airline management and senior pilots to assess professionalism, communication skills and cultural fit.
- Medical and Background Verification – Final candidates complete medical verification, security checks, employment references and regulatory compliance procedures before receiving employment offers.
Bottom Line
In 2026, Air France continues to offer some of the strongest pilot compensation packages in continental Europe. First officers generally earn between €65,000 and €130,000 per year, while captains may earn between €180,000 and €350,000 annually, depending on fleet assignment, seniority and operational productivity.
With a modern fleet, strong labour protections, global route network and clear career progression pathways, Air France remains one of the most attractive airline employers for pilots seeking long-term careers in Europe.
Air France Pilot Salary FAQs
Air France pilots typically earn between €65,000 and €350,000 per year, depending on rank, fleet type and seniority.
Most Air France pilots are based in Paris, primarily operating from Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly airports.
Air France pilots operate Airbus A220, A320 family, A330, A350, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 aircraft across short-haul and long-haul international networks.
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