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Pilot Salary at All Nippon Airways (ANA)

By Renzo, CPL · Updated March 2026

Japan's largest airline with a world-class fleet. Strong job security and cultural emphasis on safety. Japanese language required.

Inside the cockpit

ANA operates one of Asia's most technically demanding pilot networks from Tokyo Haneda, with long-haul routes spanning Frankfurt, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, New York JFK, and Sydney alongside dense domestic trunk routes connecting Sapporo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. The carrier runs a genuinely mixed widebody fleet — B787-8s and B787-9s dominate long-haul alongside B777-300ERs, while the A380 operates exclusively on the Honolulu leisure route in a deliberate niche deployment. ANA's defined-benefit corporate pension, combined with mandatory retirement at age 67 under Japanese civil aviation standards, creates a predictable but compressed earnings window compared to Western carriers. Star Alliance membership opens reciprocal jumpseat access across 26 member airlines. Domestically, ANA mainline competes directly with subsidiary Peach Aviation and ANA Wings on thinner routes, which directly shapes equipment bidding and seniority dynamics for mainline pilots.

Salary Breakdown

PositionYear 1Year 5Year 10
First Officer¥7,500,000¥10,000,000¥12,000,000
Captain¥16,000,000¥20,000,000¥25,000,000

Salary Progression

First Officer

Year 1
¥7,500,000
Year 5
¥10,000,000
Year 10
¥12,000,000

Captain

Year 1
¥16,000,000
Year 5
¥20,000,000
Year 10
¥25,000,000

What pilots actually need to know

ANA operates a strict fleet-siloed seniority system, meaning a pilot who bids onto the B787 at upgrade is essentially committing their captain track to that equipment type for the foreseeable career. Crossing from narrowbody domestic operations — the B737-700/800 fleet — to widebody long-haul requires a competitive inter-fleet transfer process, not an automatic progression, and many pilots spend their entire FO tenure on one type before locking in a captain seat on that same aircraft.

Benefits & Perks

Free travel (Star Alliance)
Health insurance
Pension
Housing support
Twice-yearly bonus

Fleet Types

B737B767B777B787A320A321A380

3 pilot bases worldwide

Requirements & Career

Minimum Flight Hours

2,500

Type Rating Provided

Yes

Career Progression

Slow

Unionized

Yes

Quality of Life Rating

4/5

Based on schedule flexibility, base locations, commutability, travel benefits, and overall pilot satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long until ANA captain upgrade?

The typical ANA first officer spends 10 to 15 years before reaching captain, though this varies significantly by fleet and hiring cohort size. Japan's mandatory minimum of 1,500 hours total time and 250 hours on type applies, but ANA's internal seniority system means actual upgrade timing is driven by attrition above you on the list rather than hours alone. Pilots on the B787 long-haul fleet historically wait longer than domestic B737 pilots due to fewer captain seats relative to applicant volume.

What is the ANA pilot pension and retirement worth?

ANA provides a defined-benefit corporate pension through Japan's Employees' Pension Insurance system, supplemented by a company-specific retirement allowance calculated on years of service and final salary. Pilots retire mandatorily at age 67 per JCAB regulations. The retirement lump-sum for a 30-year career captain can reach ¥30,000,000 to ¥50,000,000 gross depending on rank and final pay grade, though this is taxed under Japan's retirement income deduction rules. Compared to US legacy carrier pension freezes, ANA's structure remains relatively intact but yields less total value than a well-funded US 401k with company match at comparable salary levels.

Does ANA hire low-time pilots?

ANA does not directly hire ab initio or low-time pilots into mainline operations. The primary pathway for new entrants is the ANA Cadet Pilot Program, which selects university graduates with no flight experience and sponsors full flight training through contracted academies in the US and Japan, targeting JAA/JCAB ATPL issuance. Cadet selections are competitive and class sizes fluctuate with fleet growth plans. For 2025 and into 2026, ANA has indicated measured hiring driven by B787 expansion and post-pandemic route restoration, but cadet intake remains modest relative to the size of the mainline operation.

How much does a All Nippon Airways (ANA) pilot make?

A First Officer at All Nippon Airways (ANA) earns ¥7,500,000 in year 1, rising to ¥12,000,000 by year 10. Captains earn ¥16,000,000 initially, reaching ¥25,000,000 at year 10.

Is All Nippon Airways (ANA) hiring pilots in 2026?

Yes, All Nippon Airways (ANA) is actively hiring pilots in 2026. Minimum flight hours required: 2,500.

What are the minimum hours to fly for All Nippon Airways (ANA)?

All Nippon Airways (ANA) requires a minimum of 2,500 total flight hours. Type rating training is provided by the airline.

Does All Nippon Airways (ANA) provide type rating training?

Yes, All Nippon Airways (ANA) provides type rating training for new hires on their fleet types: B737, B767, B777, B787, A320, A321, A380.

What is the career progression like at All Nippon Airways (ANA)?

Career progression at All Nippon Airways (ANA) is rated as "Slow". Pilots are unionized, which provides structured seniority-based advancement. Quality of life is rated 4/5.

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