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British Airways vs easyJet
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at British Airways (BA) and easyJet (U2) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
British Airways
easyJet
Country
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Airline Type
Major Airline
Low-Cost Carrier
IATA Code
BA
U2
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
£55,000 - £100,000
£45,000 - £80,000
Captain Salary
£130,000 - £200,000
£110,000 - £160,000
Fleet
Airbus A319/320/321/350/380, Boeing 777/787
Airbus A319/320/321neo
Requirements Comparison
British Airways
- EASA/UK ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- UK right to work
- Strong CRM and leadership skills
- Minimum 500 hours multi-crew
easyJet
- EASA/UK ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- Airbus type rating preferred
- 250+ hours on type
Pros & Cons
British Airways
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
easyJet
Pros
- +Faster career progression
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Higher workload with quick turnarounds
- –Type rating required before application
About Each Airline
British Airways
The UK's flag carrier operates from London Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports, with routes spanning the globe.
Full British Airways career guide →easyJet
Major European LCC with bases across the UK and Europe. All-Airbus fleet with good work-life balance for a low-cost carrier.
Full easyJet career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at British Airways or easyJet based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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