- British Airways is investing £18m to fund as much as 160 locations on the highly-competitive Speedbird Pilot Academy
- The funding will cowl the £100,000 price of pilot training over two years and assure profitable candidates a flying position on completion
- The scheme removes prices, ranges the taking part in area, and makes the prospect of turning into a industrial airline pilot sensible for all
British Airways’ fully-funded pilot training scheme has opened for applications for the fourth year working, with an £18m dedication by the airline for as much as 160 aspiring pilots.
Tens of 1000’s of candidates are anticipated to use for a spot on the highly-competitive Speedbird Pilot Academy, which sees British Airways protecting the £100,000 training price for those that land a spot on the programme.
The scheme comes as new analysis reveals important untapped curiosity in aviation careers, with virtually one in 4 (24%) UK adults saying they might have thought of turning into an airline pilot if training had been totally funded.
So far, virtually 50 pilots have come by the Speedbird scheme, marking a major dedication by the airline to make sure gifted candidates from all backgrounds are in a position to comply with their dream of turning into a industrial airline pilot.
Despite this curiosity, consciousness of fully-funded pilot training stays low, with 87% of UK adults saying they’ve by no means heard of programmes that cowl the price of pilot training – underlining the significance of initiatives just like the Speedbird Pilot Academy.
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, mentioned: “The Speedbird Pilot Academy is an funding not simply in British Airways, however in the way forward for UK aviation.
“We need the perfect expertise on the market for our future era of pilots; by eradicating the prices, we’re opening the chance as much as extra folks and making a flying profession extra accessible to all.”
Applications to safe a spot on the Speedbird Pilot Academy open immediately, Tuesday 14 April 2026 by way of the British Airways Careers web site and can shut on Thursday 23 April 2026. Those should be between 17-58 years of age, and 18 years of age in the beginning of training.
Applicants additionally require six GCSEs grade A-C or 4-9, together with Maths, English Language and a Science or equal {qualifications}, and maintain a sound passport that allows unrestricted worldwide journey.
Previous years have seen in extra of 25,000 folks apply for a spot on the scheme. Successful candidates will prepare with one among British Airways’ authorised training companions earlier than shifting in the direction of a profession on the flight deck.
Simon Cheadle, British Airways’ Director of Flight Operations, mentioned: “We’re extremely proud to open our doorways as soon as once more to individuals who might by no means have believed a profession as a pilot was inside attain. The response to the Speedbird Pilot Academy in earlier years has been extraordinary, and the calibre of candidates reveals simply how a lot expertise is on the market, expertise that merely wants the chance.
“By launching the programme this year, we’re investing not only in individuals but in the long-term future of British Airways and UK aviation. This initiative strengthens our talent pipeline, supports the industry’s future leadership, and ensures we continue to attract the very best flying talent for years to come.”
Josh Bailey, British Airways Pilot and graduate of the Speedbird Pilot Academy, mentioned: “Becoming a pilot all the time felt like a distant dream for somebody like me. I didn’t go to college and the price of training was fully out of attain, it was near the worth of the home I grew up in.
“The Speedbird Pilot Academy has modified my life. It’s given me a chance I by no means thought doable and opened the door to a profession I’ve needed for so long as I can keep in mind.
“From standing at my bed room window as a child in Greater Manchester watching plane overhead, to now finishing my A320 training with British Airways, it nonetheless doesn’t really feel actual.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
All figures, except in any other case acknowledged, are from YouGov Plc. Total pattern dimension was 4776 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between nineteenth – twenty third March 2026. The survey was carried out on-line. The figures have been weighted and are consultant of all UK adults (aged 18+).
- More info may be discovered, and applications made, on
