← All airlines
Ryanair vs Norwegian Air Shuttle
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Ryanair (FR) and Norwegian Air Shuttle (DY) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Ryanair
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Country
Ireland
Norway
Airline Type
Low-Cost Carrier
Low-Cost Carrier
IATA Code
FR
DY
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
€35,000 - €70,000
NOK 450,000 - NOK 700,000
Captain Salary
€120,000 - €180,000
NOK 900,000 - NOK 1,300,000
Fleet
Boeing 737 (all variants)
Boeing 737 MAX
Requirements Comparison
Ryanair
- EASA frozen ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- Boeing 737 type rating
- EU right to work
Norwegian Air Shuttle
- EASA ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- Boeing 737 type rating
- Scandinavian language preferred
Pros & Cons
Ryanair
Pros
- +Faster career progression
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Higher workload with quick turnarounds
- –Lower starting FO salary compared to US/Gulf carriers
- –Type rating required before application
Norwegian Air Shuttle
Pros
- +Faster career progression
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Higher workload with quick turnarounds
- –Local language proficiency preferred
- –Type rating required before application
About Each Airline
Ryanair
Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers. Single-type Boeing 737 fleet with bases across Europe. Known for rapid career progression.
Full Ryanair career guide →Norwegian Air Shuttle
Scandinavia's largest low-cost carrier, operating short and medium-haul routes across Europe.
Full Norwegian Air Shuttle career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Ryanair or Norwegian Air Shuttle based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
Salary Calculator