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Lufthansa vs British Airways
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Lufthansa (LH) and British Airways (BA) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Lufthansa
British Airways
Country
Germany
United Kingdom
Airline Type
Major Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
LH
BA
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
€70,000 - €120,000
£55,000 - £100,000
Captain Salary
€150,000 - €250,000
£130,000 - £200,000
Fleet
Airbus A319/320/321/330/340/350/380, Boeing 747/777/787
Airbus A319/320/321/350/380, Boeing 777/787
Requirements Comparison
Lufthansa
- EASA ATPL
- EASA Class 1 medical
- Type rating on Lufthansa fleet aircraft
- German language helpful
- Lufthansa training program or equivalent
British Airways
- EASA/UK ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- UK right to work
- Strong CRM and leadership skills
- Minimum 500 hours multi-crew
Pros & Cons
Lufthansa
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Local language proficiency preferred
- –Type rating required before application
British Airways
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
About Each Airline
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 →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 →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Lufthansa or British Airways based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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