flynas (XY) is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost airlines and has grown rapidly since beginning operations in 2007.
Based in Riyadh, the airline operates an expanding domestic and international network from its hubs in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah, connecting Saudi Arabia with destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and other international markets.
In 2026, flynas operates more than 2,000 weekly flights to over 80 destinations across more than 38 countries.
Flynas Pilot Salary in 2026
For pilots, flynas offers opportunities across an increasingly diverse Airbus fleet. The airline currently operates Airbus A320 and A320neo aircraft alongside its A330 wide-body jets, while a substantial order book includes additional A321neo and A330neo aircraft. This rapid fleet expansion is creating further opportunities for pilots as flynas works towards a significantly larger fleet over the coming years.
Flynas First Officer Salary
In 2026, a flynas first officer can generally earn between SAR 35,000 and SAR 50,000 per month in total compensation, depending on experience, flying hours, allowances and the applicable contract. This is equivalent to approximately SAR 420,000 to SAR 600,000 per year, or around USD 112,000 to USD 160,000 annually.
The salary package can consist of a basic salary together with housing and transportation allowances and additional flight pay. Current salary estimates place the basic first officer package at around SAR 26,000 to SAR 34,000 per month for a newer first officer, with more experienced pilots potentially moving into higher salary levels. Total monthly earnings can therefore increase considerably once flying pay and allowances are included.
Flynas Captain Salary
In 2026, flynas captains can generally earn between SAR 60,000 and SAR 80,000 per month, depending on seniority, flying hours, aircraft and the structure of their employment package. This translates to approximately SAR 720,000 to SAR 960,000 per year, equivalent to around USD 192,000 to USD 256,000 annually.
The captain package can include a basic salary, command allowance, housing and transportation allowances and tiered flight pay. A reported A320 captain package includes a SAR 30,000 line salary, a SAR 5,000 captain allowance and additional flight pay based on monthly flying hours. A typical 65-hour month can therefore produce total earnings of around SAR 61,800, while higher utilisation can push monthly earnings towards SAR 70,000 to SAR 80,000 or more.
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Benefits Enjoyed by Flynas Pilots
Flynas pilots are offered the following benefits.
- Competitive Salary – Pilots receive a competitive compensation package that increases with rank, experience, flying activity and command responsibility.
- Flight-Related Pay – Pilots can receive additional payments based on the number of hours flown, with higher rates applying once specific monthly flying thresholds are reached.
- Housing Allowance – Pilot packages can include a housing allowance or accommodation arrangement, helping reduce one of the largest living expenses for crew based in Saudi Arabia.
- Transportation Allowance – Transportation support can form part of the monthly compensation package, depending on the applicable contract.
- Medical Insurance – Pilots receive medical insurance coverage, with some contracts extending benefits to eligible family members.
- Life Insurance – Life insurance is included in pilot employment packages, providing additional financial protection for employees and their families.
- Travel Benefits – Pilots receive flight ticket and employee travel privileges, allowing them and eligible family members to benefit from discounted or staff travel arrangements.
- Family Benefits – Certain pilot contracts include family assistance and related benefits for eligible dependants.
- Paid Leave – Captain recruitment information lists 30 days of annual vacation, providing pilots with substantial time away from flying duties.
- Career Progression – The airline’s rapid fleet expansion provides pilots with opportunities to progress towards command and potentially move into wide-body operations as the A330 fleet expands.
What Aircraft Do Flynas Pilots Fly?
Flynas operates an all-Airbus fleet consisting primarily of the A320 family, together with A330 wide-body aircraft. As of August 2026, the airline operates 68 aircraft, including 62 Airbus A320neo aircraft, four Airbus A320ceo aircraft and two A330 wide-body aircraft.
The airline also has a substantial aircraft order book as part of its long-term expansion plans.
- Airbus A320-200 – 4
- Airbus A320neo – 62
- Airbus A330-300 – 2
Flynas has the following aircraft on order.
- Airbus A321neo – 56
- Airbus A330-900 – 20
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Requirements To Become A Pilot for Flynas
Flynas first officers have to fulfil the following criteria.
- Have at least 1,200 total flight hours for experienced first officer positions
- Have at least 500 hours on the Airbus A320 family for experienced A320 first officer positions
- Hold a Commercial Pilot License or applicable ICAO-recognised licence
- Hold an Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine qualification
- Have a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate
- Have ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 4 or higher
- Hold the relevant aircraft type rating where required, although training may be provided for certain positions
- Meet Flynas and Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation requirements
- Pass the airline’s technical, simulator and assessment requirements
For inexperienced first officers entering through an applicable recruitment or cadet pathway, Flynas requires at least 1,500 hours on twin-engine aircraft together with multi-crew cockpit experience. The airline also operates a Future Pilots programme aimed at training and qualifying Saudi nationals for cockpit positions.
Captains, on the other hand, need to meet the requirements below.
- Have at least 5,000 total flight hours
- Have at least 2,000 hours as pilot in command for applicable A320 family captain positions
- Have substantial experience operating aircraft weighing more than 27,000 kilograms
- Hold a valid ATPL
- Hold a current Class 1 Medical Certificate
- Have ICAO English Language Proficiency Level 4 or higher
- Hold the required aircraft type rating or meet the conditions for training provided by Flynas
- Meet the airline’s recent flying and operational experience requirements
- Successfully complete the airline’s technical and simulator assessments
Hiring Process
Flynas follows the steps below in its recruitment for pilots.
- Online Application – Candidates begin by submitting their application through the Flynas careers system, providing personal information, licences, flight experience, employment history and the documents required for the specific pilot vacancy.
- Initial Screening – Flynas reviews the candidate’s licence, medical certificate, total flight hours, aircraft experience, English proficiency and other qualifications against the requirements of the position.
- Aptitude Assessment – Shortlisted applicants may complete aptitude and psychometric assessments designed to evaluate areas such as numerical reasoning, spatial awareness, concentration, memory, problem-solving and decision-making.
- Technical Assessment – Candidates are assessed on their aviation knowledge, aircraft systems, flight procedures, performance, navigation, regulations and other technical subjects relevant to the position.
- Interview – Applicants who progress through the earlier stages attend interviews covering professional experience, communication, teamwork, leadership, safety awareness and motivation for joining flynas.
- Simulator Assessment – Candidates complete a simulator evaluation to demonstrate aircraft handling, procedural accuracy, situational awareness, crew resource management and decision-making under operational conditions. Depending on the vacancy, aircraft-specific simulator training and assessment may form part of the selection process.
- Final Checks and Offer – Successful candidates complete the required medical, background, documentation and employment checks before receiving a formal offer and beginning the airline’s training, induction, aircraft conversion and line-training process. Selected pilots undergo training programmes covering aviation knowledge, airline-specific procedures, technical subjects, simulator skills, dangerous goods, crew resource management and fatigue management.
Bottom Line
In 2026, flynas offers a competitive pilot compensation package within the Saudi Arabian aviation market. First officers can generally earn around SAR 35,000 to SAR 50,000 per month in total compensation. In contrast, captains can earn approximately SAR 60,000 to SAR 80,000 per month depending on seniority, aircraft, allowances and flying activity.
That translates to roughly SAR 420,000 to SAR 600,000 per year for first officers and SAR 720,000 to SAR 960,000 for captains. In approximate US dollar terms, these ranges are around USD 112,000 to USD 160,000 for first officers and USD 192,000 to USD 256,000 for captains.
The combination of competitive compensation, travel benefits, an expanding Airbus fleet and a rapidly growing international network makes flynas an appealing option for pilots looking to build a career in Saudi Arabia. Its substantial A321neo and A330neo order book should also create further cockpit opportunities as the airline expands towards its long-term fleet and network targets.
FAQs
Flynas first officers can earn approximately SAR 420,000 to SAR 600,000 per year in total compensation, while captains can earn around SAR 720,000 to SAR 960,000 depending on rank, seniority, flying hours and allowances.
Flynas pilots currently operate Airbus A320ceo, A320neo and A330 aircraft. The airline has also ordered additional A321neo and A330neo aircraft as part of its fleet expansion programme.
Experienced first officers generally need at least 1,200 total flight hours, including 500 hours on the A320 family for applicable A320 positions. Captain positions can require at least 5,000 total flight hours and 2,000 hours as pilot in command.
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