Quick answer: To fly for an airline you need an airline transport pilot licence: the ATPL in the UK or the ATP certificate in the US. UK pilots usually get there through an integrated course, a modular course or an airline cadet scheme, and training typically costs £80,000–£120,000 (BALPA). US pilots usually train from private pilot to commercial and flight instructor, then build hours towards the 1,500 the ATP requires (fewer with a restricted ATP). You will need a first-class medical before you spend serious money.
Becoming an airline pilot is one of the few careers where the route is set out in law. The licences, the minimum hours and the medical standard are all published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). What varies is how you pay for it, how long it takes and which door into the industry you choose.
This guide covers both sides of the Atlantic: the licence you are working towards, the UK training routes, the US hours-building route, airline cadet and pathway programmes, costs, funding, timelines and pay. If you have not flown yet, start with our guide on how to become a private pilot, and see how much flying lessons cost for the price of the first step.
Ready to take the first step? Browse Flight Schools, Clubs & Associations in the AviatorFinds directory to find a school near you, or look at Aviation Training & Simulators for simulator and type-rating providers.
The licence airlines ask for: ATPL (UK) and ATP (US)
In the UK, the CAA’s airline transport pilot licence page sets out the top-level requirements: you must be at least 21, hold a Class 1 medical certificate, and already hold either a multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) or a commercial pilot licence (CPL) with a multi-engine instrument rating and multi-crew cooperation (MCC) training. You also need 1,500 hours of flight time for the full ATPL.
Nobody leaves flight school with 1,500 hours, so most new UK first officers start on a CPL with a multi-engine instrument rating and the ATPL theory exams passed. This is often called a “frozen ATPL”. It is not a separate licence: it simply means the theory is done, and the ATPL is issued once you have the experience. The CAA says the theory credit stays valid for seven years from the last validity date of the instrument rating entered in your licence.
In the US, the airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate is required for anyone flying as pilot in command or first officer for a scheduled US airline under Part 121 (14 CFR 121.436). The standard ATP requires you to be 23 and to have 1,500 hours (14 CFR 61.153 and 61.159). A restricted ATP is available from 21 with fewer hours, which we cover below.
Before you spend a penny: medical, age and qualifications
Get your Class 1 or first-class medical first
This is the single most useful piece of advice in this guide. Airline flying needs the highest medical standard: a Class 1 medical in the UK, or an FAA first-class medical in the US. Have the initial examination before you sign up for an expensive course. If something shows up, it is far better to find out at the start than after you have spent tens of thousands. You need a medical before your first solo anyway: the CAA’s medical requirements for pilots explain the lower Class 2 standard that applies to a PPL.
Age limits
You can start training well before you can be employed. In the UK the ATPL needs you to be 21, and cadet schemes set their own ranges: British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy accepted applicants aged 17 to 58 in its 2026 intake. In the US you can hold a student pilot certificate at 16 and a private pilot certificate at 17, but the unrestricted ATP needs you to be 23.
School qualifications
There is no legal requirement for a degree. Airlines and schools set their own entry standards, and these are usually GCSE-level maths, English and science in the UK. The British Airways Speedbird announcement asked for six GCSEs including those three subjects. In the US, a degree can shorten the route through a restricted ATP, and some airlines prefer one.
How to become an airline pilot in the UK
There are three main routes. Each leads to the same place: a commercial licence with an instrument rating, the ATPL theory, and multi-crew training, ready for an airline type rating.
Route 1: integrated training
An integrated course takes you from little or no experience to a “frozen ATPL” in one full-time programme at an approved training organisation (ATO). The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) describes integrated courses as roughly 195 hours of flying and simulator time plus around 750 hours of ground school. They are intensive, structured and usually the most expensive route, but they are quick and many airlines know the leading schools well.
Route 2: modular training
The modular route breaks training into separate stages that you can take at different schools and at your own pace. You start with a private pilot licence (see our guide to private pilot training in the UK), build experience, study for the ATPL theory exams, then complete the commercial licence, multi-engine instrument rating and multi-crew course. BALPA notes that you need around 150 hours before starting commercial training and that the CPL itself requires 200 hours.
Modular training is often cheaper overall and lets you keep working while you train. The trade-off is that you manage the whole process yourself, and it can take longer.
Route 3: airline cadet schemes and the MPL
Some airlines run their own schemes, either funding training outright or partnering with a school and guaranteeing an interview or job on completion. Many use the multi-crew pilot licence (MPL), which trains you from the start to fly as a first officer on one airline’s aircraft.
- British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy: fully funded training worth about £100,000 per cadet, with up to 160 places in 2026. The 2026 application window ran from 14 to 23 April and has closed. BA says training takes 18 to 24 months (BA Future Pilots).
- Generation easyJet: an MPL programme run with CAE. CAE lists the course at €115,000, including VAT but excluding the Class 1 medical and most travel (CAE: Generation easyJet).
Cadet schemes open and close at short notice and are very competitive. Sign up for alerts on the airline careers pages and have your medical done in advance, so you are ready to apply when the window opens.
The ATPL theory exams
Whichever UK route you choose, you must pass the ATPL theoretical knowledge exams. The CAA syllabus covers 14 subject areas, from air law and meteorology to flight planning and human performance; some schools count the two communications papers as one, which is why you will also see “13 exams” quoted. Under the UK rules you need 75% in each paper, and all exams must be passed within 18 months, with no more than four attempts at any one paper and no more than six sittings in total. Check the current rules on the CAA ATPL page before you book.
How to become an airline pilot in the US
The US route is built around hours. Most pilots train for the private pilot certificate, then the instrument rating, the commercial certificate and the multi-engine rating. Many then qualify as certificated flight instructors (CFI) and build their hours teaching others, before joining a regional airline at or near the ATP minimums.
Training under Part 61 or Part 141
US flight schools operate under either Part 61 (more flexible, often used by independent instructors and clubs) or Part 141 (a structured, FAA-approved syllabus). Both lead to the same certificates. Part 141 courses can have lower minimum hours for some certificates, and that matters for the restricted ATP.
The restricted ATP (R-ATP)
The FAA’s ATP information page and 14 CFR 61.160 allow a restricted ATP from age 21 with fewer hours:
- 1,000 hours for graduates of an approved aviation bachelor’s degree programme.
- 1,250 hours for graduates of an approved aviation associate degree programme.
An R-ATP holder can only serve as a first officer (co-pilot) until they meet the full ATP requirements. Before any ATP with a multi-engine rating, you must also complete the ATP Certification Training Program (ATP CTP), which includes classroom and full-flight simulator training.
Airline pathway programmes
The large US carriers now run their own pathways that link flight schools, regional airlines and the mainline airline.
- United Aviate: offers a conditional job offer and a defined path to United, with its own training academy at Goodyear, Arizona (United Aviate).
- Delta Propel: gives selected pilots a qualified job offer and a defined path to Delta, typically through its regional subsidiary, Endeavor Air (Delta Propel).
- American Airlines Cadet Academy: takes students from zero experience through to flight instructor ratings, with a path to American’s regional carriers Envoy, Piedmont and PSA (AA Cadet Academy).
Each programme sets its own entry rules, costs and commitments, and they change. Read the current terms and the small print about training bonds and seniority before you sign.
How much does it cost to become an airline pilot?
| UK | US | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical training cost | £80,000–£120,000 or more (BALPA) | PPL $14,000, instrument $12,750, commercial $28,000 (median, Redbird 2025 survey) |
| Multi-engine and instructor ratings | Included in integrated courses | About $5,000 and $6,000 (Redbird 2025 survey) |
| Airline-funded routes | BA Speedbird: fully funded (about £100,000) | Pathway programmes vary; some offer funding or tuition help |
| Hours building | Part of modular routes | Usually paid for by flight instructing |
Sources: BALPA (checked October 2026); Redbird Flight Simulations’ 2025 Flight Training Price Survey of 2024 prices, reported by General Aviation News (March 2025). Prices vary widely by school, aircraft and location, so get written quotes.
On top of training, budget for medicals, exam and licence fees, accommodation if you train away from home, and in some cases a type rating. Ask every school what is included in the headline price, how many hours of each type of training it covers, and what happens if you need extra lessons.
Funding your training
Funding is the hardest part for most people. BALPA’s guidance on financing notes that there are currently no banks offering dedicated pilot training loans in the UK. The common options are:
- Airline-funded schemes, such as BA Speedbird, where the airline pays for training.
- Modular training while working, paying for each stage as you go.
- Family support or secured borrowing, which carries real risk if you do not finish or do not get a job. Take independent financial advice.
- Scholarships from flying organisations and livery companies, which usually cover part of the cost.
- In the US, flight instructing, which lets you earn while you build hours after your commercial certificate.
Be wary of anyone who pressures you to pay large sums up front. Ask how your money is protected if the school runs into trouble.
How long does it take?
- UK integrated or cadet route: about 18 months to two years full time. BA quotes 18 to 24 months for Speedbird.
- UK modular route: often two to three years or more, depending on how fast you can fly and pay.
- US route: training to commercial pilot and instructor ratings can be done in a year or two; building to 1,500 hours (or the R-ATP minimum) usually takes longer. American Airlines describes its Cadet Academy route as taking about three years.
Then add the time it takes to get hired and complete your airline’s type rating and line training.
Getting your first airline job
Once you hold your licences, the airline selection process typically includes an online application, aptitude tests, group exercises, an interview and a simulator assessment. Practise for each stage. Many schools and BALPA offer guidance, and a well-flown simulator check counts for a lot.
Most new first officers then complete a type rating on the aircraft they will fly, such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, followed by line training with a training captain. Some airlines pay for the type rating; others bond you or deduct the cost from your salary. Read the contract.
Airline pilot pay and job outlook
In the UK, the National Careers Service lists airline pilot salaries from about £47,000 for starters to £150,000 for experienced pilots (National Careers Service). In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $232,140 for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers in May 2025, and projects about 16,400 openings a year for airline and commercial pilots between 2025 and 2035 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Pay depends heavily on the airline, the aircraft and your seniority. Regional and first-year pay can be far lower than the headline figures, so look at the pay scales for the airlines you would actually join.
Is it right for you? A first-steps checklist
- Book a trial lesson to check you enjoy flying. Our guide to learning to fly in a Cessna 172 shows what the early lessons are like.
- Have your Class 1 (UK) or first-class (US) medical.
- Visit at least two schools and speak to current students.
- Get written quotes covering everything to a frozen ATPL or the R-ATP or ATP minimums.
- Work out how you will fund every stage, not just the first.
- Sign up for airline cadet and pathway alerts.
- Learn the basics of radio and air traffic control early: see aircraft radios explained.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become an airline pilot?
In the UK, integrated and cadet courses take about 18 months to two years. Modular training usually takes longer. In the US, most pilots spend several years building hours before joining an airline.
How much does it cost to become a pilot in the UK?
BALPA puts the average cost at £80,000 to £120,000, and possibly more once extras are added. Some airline cadet schemes, such as BA Speedbird, are fully funded.
Do I need a degree to become an airline pilot?
No. There is no legal requirement for a degree in the UK or US, but in the US an approved aviation degree can lower the hours you need for a restricted ATP.
What is a frozen ATPL?
It is an informal name for a commercial licence with a multi-engine instrument rating and the ATPL theory exams passed. It is not a licence in its own right. The full ATPL is issued once you have 1,500 hours and meet the other requirements.
Can I become an airline pilot at 40 or 50?
Yes, as long as you meet the medical standard. BA’s 2026 Speedbird intake accepted applicants up to 58. Your career will be shorter, so weigh the cost against the years you will fly.
Official sources
- UK CAA: Airline transport pilot licence for aeroplanes
- UK CAA: Medical requirements for pilots
- FAA: Airline Transport Pilot certification
- 14 CFR 61.153 ATP eligibility, 61.159 aeronautical experience and 61.160 restricted ATP
- 14 CFR 121.436 pilot qualification for Part 121
- BALPA: Becoming a pilot
- British Airways: Speedbird Pilot Academy 2026 announcement and BA Future Pilots
- CAE: Generation easyJet pilot training programme
- United Aviate, Delta Propel and American Airlines Cadet Academy
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Airline and commercial pilots
- National Careers Service: Airline pilot
Further reading
- How to Become a Private Pilot: Lessons Learned & Beginner Tips
- How Much Do Flying Lessons Cost? (UK & US 2027)
- Private pilot training in the UK
- The next generation of training aircraft
- Aviation headsets under $500
Looking for a school, simulator or charter operator? The AviatorFinds directory lists flight schools, training providers and charter operators across the UK and US.
This guide is general information, not careers or financial advice. Requirements, prices and airline schemes change: always check the current CAA, FAA and airline guidance before you commit.
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