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