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Ryanair vs Wizz Air
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Ryanair (FR) and Wizz Air (W6) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Ryanair
Wizz Air
Country
Ireland
Hungary
Airline Type
Low-Cost Carrier
Low-Cost Carrier
IATA Code
FR
W6
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
€35,000 - €70,000
€30,000 - €60,000
Captain Salary
€120,000 - €180,000
€100,000 - €160,000
Fleet
Boeing 737 (all variants)
Airbus A320/321neo
Requirements Comparison
Ryanair
- EASA frozen ATPL
- Class 1 medical
- Boeing 737 type rating
- EU right to work
Wizz Air
- EASA frozen ATPL minimum
- Class 1 medical
- Airbus A320 type rating
- ICAO English Level 4+
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
Wizz Air
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
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 →Wizz Air
Central and Eastern Europe's largest LCC, rapidly expanding with new bases across Europe and the Middle East.
Full Wizz Air career guide →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Ryanair or Wizz Air based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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