Lufthansa Pilot Career Guide
Germany's flag carrier and Europe's largest airline group. Lufthansa runs its own pilot training academy (European Flight Academy).
First Officer Salary
€70,000 - €120,000
Captain Salary
€150,000 - €250,000
Salary Progression
Year 1 FO
€75,000
Year 5 FO
€100,000
Year 10 Captain
€190,000
Year 20 Captain
€240,000
Bonuses & Perks
Annual performance bonus. Seniority increments. Transition pay for fleet changes.
Retirement
Company pension scheme (Versorgungsanstalt des Bundes und der Länder). Additional company DC contributions.
Pilot Reviews & Ratings
Based on pilot forum data
Pros
- Prestigious European flag carrier with strong brand recognition
- Diverse fleet from A320 to A380 and Boeing 747/777
- European Flight Academy provides excellent initial training
- Strong union protections and collective agreements
- Extensive intercontinental route network
Cons
- Pay lower than Gulf and US carriers
- German tax rates significantly reduce net income
- Union-management relations can be contentious (multiple strikes in past)
- EFA cadets take on significant training debt
- Seniority progression can be slow in a large pilot group
Fleet & Routes
| Aircraft | Count | Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319/A320/A321 | 152 | European short and medium-haul |
| Airbus A330-300 | 15 | Medium-haul intercontinental |
| Airbus A340-300/600 | 17 | Long-haul (being phased out) |
| Airbus A350-900 | 21 | Long-haul intercontinental |
| Airbus A380-800 | 8 | High-demand long-haul routes |
| Boeing 747-400/8 | 27 | Flagship long-haul routes |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 2 | Long-haul (recent addition) |
| Boeing 787-9 | 5 | Long-haul (fleet expansion) |
Interview & Selection Process
Application through Lufthansa Group pilot portal (EFA graduates or direct entry)
DLR assessment (aptitude testing at German Aerospace Center in Hamburg)
Group exercises and psychological evaluation
Technical interview and knowledge assessment
Simulator check on assigned fleet type
Medical examination and background verification
Pilot Lifestyle
Work Schedule
Typically 70-80 block hours/month. Roster published monthly. Mix of early starts, late finishes, and multi-day trips.
Home Base
Must live within 90 minutes of assigned base. FRA and MUC are the main bases.
Travel Benefits
Standby travel on all Lufthansa Group carriers (Swiss, Austrian, Brussels, Eurowings). Staff travel on Star Alliance partners. Annual free tickets.
Commutable?
Limited — may require relocation
Hubs & Pilot Bases
Main Hubs
Pilot Bases
Cadet Program
European Flight Academy (EFA)
Lufthansa Group's own pilot training academy with campuses in Bremen, Phoenix, and Rostock. Full ab-initio MPL/ATPL training to type-rated First Officer.
Union & Representation
Pilots at Lufthansa are represented by Vereinigung Cockpit (VC).
Latest Developments
Lufthansa Group acquiring ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia) to strengthen southern European presence
Boeing 787 and A350 deliveries replacing aging A340 and 747-400 fleet
European Flight Academy expanded capacity to train more cadets amid pilot shortage
Pilot Requirements
EASA ATPL
EASA Class 1 medical
Type rating on Lufthansa fleet aircraft
German language helpful
Lufthansa training program or equivalent
Compare Lufthansa With
Plan your Lufthansa career
See what Lufthansa pilots earn at every career stage, estimate training costs, and test your EASA theory knowledge.