In 2026, pilot salaries at British Airways will remain attractive, especially for senior long-haul captains.
Pilot Salary in UK
For pilots, easyJet offers a particularly attractive combination of salary, fleet growth, career progression and roster stability.
In 2026, Ryanair pilots benefit from competitive European short-haul airline salaries, stable roster patterns, productivity-based pay and strong command upgrade opportunities.
In 2026, Iberia pilot salaries remain competitive within Southern Europe, although generally lower than some Northern European legacy carriers.
In 2026, Virgin Atlantic pilot salaries remain competitive within the UK long-haul airline sector.
In 2026, Finnair pilot salaries remain competitive within the Nordic aviation market.
In 2026, Jet2 pilot salaries will remain competitive within the UK leisure airline sector.
In 2026, KLM pilot salaries remain among the strongest packages in Europe. Pay is typically structured around a fixed annual salary, holiday bonus, year-end bonus, per diems, and profit-sharing in stronger financial years.
Unlike traditional airline jobs, private jet pilot salaries vary widely depending on aircraft size, company structure, and pilot experience.
Across Europe, fighter jet pilot salaries in 2026 continue to vary widely, reflecting national defence budgets, economic strength, and long-standing military pay structures.