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Air France vs Lufthansa
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Air France (AF) and Lufthansa (LH) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Air France
Lufthansa
Country
France
Germany
Airline Type
Major Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
AF
LH
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
€60,000 - €110,000
€70,000 - €120,000
Captain Salary
€140,000 - €230,000
€150,000 - €250,000
Fleet
Airbus A318/319/320/321/330/350, Boeing 777/787
Airbus A319/320/321/330/340/350/380, Boeing 747/777/787
Requirements Comparison
Air France
- EASA ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- French language proficiency
- EU citizenship or work permit
Lufthansa
- EASA ATPL
- EASA Class 1 medical
- Type rating on Lufthansa fleet aircraft
- German language helpful
- Lufthansa training program or equivalent
Pros & Cons
Air France
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Local language proficiency preferred
Lufthansa
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Local language proficiency preferred
- –Type rating required before application
About Each Airline
Air France
France's flag carrier operates an extensive long-haul network from Paris Charles de Gaulle with a focus on premium service.
Full Air France career guide →Lufthansa
Germany's flag carrier and Europe's largest airline group. Lufthansa runs its own pilot training academy (European Flight Academy).
Full Lufthansa career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Air France or Lufthansa based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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