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Turkish Airlines vs Lufthansa
A side-by-side comparison of pilot careers at Turkish Airlines (TK) and Lufthansa (LH) — covering salary, fleet, requirements, and more.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Turkish Airlines
Lufthansa
Country
Turkey
Germany
Airline Type
Major Airline
Major Airline
IATA Code
TK
LH
Regulatory Authority
EASA
EASA
First Officer Salary
$60,000 - $100,000
€70,000 - €120,000
Captain Salary
$140,000 - $220,000
€150,000 - €250,000
Fleet
Boeing 737/777/787, Airbus A319/320/321/330/350
Airbus A319/320/321/330/340/350/380, Boeing 747/777/787
Requirements Comparison
Turkish Airlines
- ICAO ATPL
- 3,000+ hours total
- 1,500+ on jets
- Class 1 medical
- English Level 4+
Lufthansa
- EASA ATPL
- EASA Class 1 medical
- Type rating on Lufthansa fleet aircraft
- German language helpful
- Lufthansa training program or equivalent
Pros & Cons
Turkish Airlines
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –High minimum hour requirements (3,000+)
Lufthansa
Pros
- +Modern fleet with 787 Dreamliner
- +Simplified fleet — fewer type ratings needed
Cons
- –Local language proficiency preferred
- –Type rating required before application
About Each Airline
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines flies to more countries than any other airline, operating from Istanbul's new mega-hub airport.
Full Turkish Airlines career guide →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 →Calculate Your Salary
Model your earning potential at Turkish Airlines or Lufthansa based on your experience, ratings, and career stage.
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