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Air India vs Singapore Airlines
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Air India (AI) and Singapore Airlines (SQ) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Air India
Singapore Airlines
Country
India
Singapore
Airline Type
Major Airline
Premium International Airline
IATA Code
AI
SQ
Regulatory Authority
FAA
FAA
First Officer Salary
₹1,500,000 - ₹3,000,000
S$100,000 - S$170,000
Captain Salary
₹3,500,000 - ₩6,000,000
S$250,000 - S$400,000
Fleet
Boeing 737/777/787, Airbus A320/321/350
Boeing 737/777/787, Airbus A350/380
Requirements Comparison
Air India
- DGCA ATPL
- 3,000+ hours preferred
- Class 1 medical
- Indian citizenship for domestic
Singapore Airlines
- ICAO ATPL
- Minimum 2,500 hours on jets
- Current type rating on wide-body
- Class 1 medical
Pros & Cons
Air India
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –High minimum hour requirements (3,000+)
Singapore Airlines
Pros
- +Industry-leading captain pay
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
- +Premium global reputation
Cons
- –Type rating required before application
About Each Airline
Air India
India's flag carrier, now owned by Tata Group, is undergoing massive modernization and fleet expansion.
Full Air India career guide →Singapore Airlines
Consistently rated the world's best airline, Singapore Airlines offers premium compensation and the chance to fly the world's most modern fleet.
Full Singapore Airlines career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Air India or Singapore Airlines based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
Salary Calculator