Pilot Job Openings. Week ending 9 August 2026.
✈️ This Week's Pilot Job Openings
Week of 9 August 2026
Pilot hiring remains strong globally this week. FedEx has resumed pilot hiring with 800 positions planned, Air India is actively recruiting B737 Captains and Co-Pilots, and Etihad has virtual and in-person roadshows coming up. Several deadlines have passed since last week — Singapore Airlines contract positions closed, BA's main campaigns shut July 31, and WestJet Encore's Q400 FO posting expired. Scroll to your region below.
🆕 What's Changed Since Last Week
NEW:
FedEx — First Officer hiring resumed, ~800 pilots planned for 2026, classes started July
Air India — B737 Type Rated & Non-Type Rated Captains and Co-Pilots
Fiji Airways — B737MAX Captains on commuting contracts
Lufthansa City Airlines — A220/A320 Captains & First Officers (fast-track command)
CLOSED:
WestJet Encore — Q400 First Officer application expired August 3
Air France — Cadet Pilot Programme applications closed July 31 (assessments Sept 4–5)
Singapore Airlines — Direct Entry FO & Captain contracts closed Aug 5; Cadet deadline Aug 9
British Airways — Most direct entry campaigns closed July 31 (Military Pathway open until Oct 31)
Cathay Pacific — Shanghai workshop registration closed Aug 7 (Cadet Programme still open year-round)
UPDATED:
Etihad — Istanbul roadshow Aug 11; Virtual roadshow Aug 20
Jetstar Japan — Now accepting non-JCAB license holders for A320/321 Captains
Southwest — Application still closed, expected to reopen September
Ethiopian Airlines — Registration open until August 29
🇦🇺🇳🇿 NZ / Australia
Regional & Turboprop
Air New Zealand — First Officer (Expression of Interest)
Role: First Officer | Base: Various NZ | Aircraft: ATR72 & Dash 8 Q300
Air NZ seeking type-rated or non-type-rated FOs for turboprop fleet. 500 hours total time minimum. Expression of interest open through August 2026.
QantasLink — Direct Entry First Officer
Role: First Officer | Base: Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide | Aircraft: Dash 8 Q400
QantasLink actively recruiting Direct Entry FOs on Q400. Min 500hrs TT. Salary from AUD $79,252–$94,383 + super + allowances. CASA or NZ CAA licence required.
Nexus Airlines — Dash 8 Q400 Captain & First Officer
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Perth / Geraldton, WA | Aircraft: Dash 8 Q400
Type-rated and non-type-rated positions available. Captains: 3000hrs TT, 2500hrs multi. FOs: 1500hrs TT, 1300hrs command. Visa sponsorship available.
Skippers Aviation — Dash 8 Captain & First Officer
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Perth, WA | Aircraft: Dash 8 Q400
Seeking type-rated Dash 8 Captains and FOs for Perth-based operations. FIFO charter and regional services.
Rex Airlines — Saab 340 Captain & First Officer
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Various AU (incl. Brisbane) | Aircraft: Saab 340
Rex expanding — seeking type-rated and non-type-rated Saab 340 Captains (min 500hrs) and FOs (NTR welcome, training provided). Permanent positions. Australian ATPL required.
Airwork — King Air 260/360 Captain
Role: Captain | Base: Essendon, VIC (AU) | Aircraft: King Air 260/360
Airwork seeking experienced King Air captains for charter and freight operations. Multi-engine turbine experience required.
Leidos Airborne Solutions — Dash 8 Captain & First Officer
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Perth / Adelaide / Brisbane / Melbourne / Sydney | Aircraft: Dash 8 (modified)
FIFO surveillance operations on modified Dash 8 fleet. 14-on/14-off roster available. Captains from $212,961/yr. FOs: 500hrs TT minimum. Australian citizen required.
Jet & Major Carriers
Air New Zealand — Jet Fleet Pilot (Expression of Interest)
Role: Second Officer / First Officer | Base: Auckland, NZ | Aircraft: A320 / B787 / B777
Air NZ accepting expressions of interest for jet fleet. 1500hrs TT, 100hrs multi-engine, 40hrs instrument, 25hrs night. NZCAA licences required. Entry as Second Officer (A320/A321) or FO (widebody).
Virgin Australia — Commercial Pilot
Role: First Officer | Base: Various AU | Aircraft: B737
Virgin Australia hiring commercial pilots. Typically 3,000–4,000hrs TT with significant command experience for direct entry. Apply via careers portal.
MinRes Air — A319/A320 First Officer
Role: First Officer | Base: Perth, WA | Aircraft: A319 / A320
Mineral Resources in-house FIFO charter operation seeking A319/A320 endorsed FOs. 1500hrs TT, 500hrs multi-engine. Permanent full-time.
Fiji Airways — A330/A350 FO & B737MAX Captain [NEW]
Role: First Officer (Widebody) & Captain (B737MAX) | Base: Nadi, Fiji | Aircraft: A330 / A350 / B737MAX
Fiji Airways recruiting A330/A350 FOs (min 2,000–3,000hrs) and B737NG/MAX FOs. New: B737MAX Captains on commuting contracts. B737NG FO roles also open. Commuting options available.
Apply at Fiji Airways Careers →
Note: Jetstar AU/NZ is not currently accepting pilot applications. Qantas mainline not accepting either — but QantasLink is actively hiring. Monitor both pages for future windows.
🌏 Middle East
Jet & Major Carriers
Emirates — Direct Entry Captain & First Officer
Role: DEC, Accelerated Command & FO | Base: Dubai, UAE | Aircraft: B777 / B787 / A350
Emirates continuing major recruitment drive — 1,500+ pilots in 2025–26. FO: min 2,000hrs TT (4,000+ for enhanced package). DEC: min 7,000hrs TT, 2,000+ PIC on multi-crew. Tax-free salary and benefits.
Etihad Airways — Captain & First Officer [UPDATED]
Role: Captain (A320 & Widebody) & FO (B787) | Base: Abu Dhabi, UAE | Aircraft: A320 / A350 / B787
Etihad recruiting across multiple fleets. Captains up to USD 180,000/yr, FOs up to USD 138,000/yr. Upcoming roadshows: Istanbul — Aug 11; Virtual roadshow — Aug 20 (1:00–2:00 PM). Register via careers page.
Qatar Airways — Captain & First Officer
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Doha, Qatar | Aircraft: Various fleet types
Qatar Airways actively recruiting across fleet. FO requirements typically 1,500+hrs TT with 500+hrs on multi-crew jet. Apply via careers portal.
Apply at Qatar Airways Careers →
Oman Air — Captain & First Officer (B737 & B787)
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Muscat, Oman | Aircraft: B737 / B787
Oman Air hiring B737 and B787 Captains (min 5,000hrs TT, 1,500 PIC on multi-pilot). B737NG FOs also being recruited. Selective expat hiring. Cadet scheme for Omani nationals.
flydubai — First Officer & Second Officer
Role: FO (rated) & Second Officer (ab initio) | Base: Dubai, UAE | Aircraft: B737
FO: min 1,500 MPA hours, valid ICAO ATPL, Boeing type-rated. Second Officer: CPL holders, age 20–35. 5-year training bond USD 36,000. Ab Initio 2026 intake closed; 2027 applications reopen soon.
flyadeal — A320 Captain & First Officer (NTR Welcome)
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Jeddah / Riyadh / Dammam, Saudi Arabia | Aircraft: A320
Saudi low-cost carrier expanding. Captains: 5000hrs TT, 1000hrs on type. NTR FOs welcome: 1500hrs minimum. Closes 31 August 2026.
Air Arabia — A320 Captain & First Officer
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Sharjah, UAE / Dammam, Saudi Arabia / Casablanca, Morocco | Aircraft: A320
Multiple bases across UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. Captains: 4000hrs TT, 800hrs PIC. FOs: A320 type rating preferred. Ab-initio cadet positions also available.
🇬🇧🇪🇺 Europe
Regional & Turboprop
Loganair — Direct Entry Captain & First Officer
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Various UK | Aircraft: ATR 42/72 & Saab 340
UK's largest regional airline recruiting across ATR and Saab fleets. FO starting salary ~£40,000–£43,000. Captain top-of-scale ~£89,000–£95,000 including allowances.
Jet & Major Carriers
British Airways — BA Cityflyer Direct Entry & Military Pilot Pathway [UPDATED]
Role: DEC / Direct Entry Pilot (Cityflyer) & Military Pilot Pathway | Base: London | Aircraft: A320 family / various
Most BA direct entry campaigns closed July 31(A320 DEFO, Euroflyer DEP, Long-Haul). BA Cityflyer still recruiting Direct Entry Captains/Pilots. Military Pilot Pathway open until October 31, 2026. Requires CAA Part-FCL Licence, Class 1 medical, valid passport.
Ryanair — B737 Non-Type Rated Captains (Buzz / Ryanair Group)
Role: Direct Entry Captain | Base: Various EU | Aircraft: B737
Recruiting NTR Captains for Buzz bases (Ryanair Group). Training courses commencing winter 2026. 5/4 roster. Great pay and basing opportunities.
Wizz Air — Cadet to Direct Entry Captain
Role: Cadet, FO, DEC | Base: Various EU bases | Aircraft: A320 / A321
Looking for pilots from Cadet level to Direct Entry Captains. EASA licence required. 1,200 new pilots by 2028 (240 from UK). Sign-on bonus up to €10,000 (Captain) / €5,000 (FO). Pilot Academy available for no-experience candidates.
Virgin Atlantic — First Officer (Boeing)
Role: FO & Senior FO | Base: London, UK | Aircraft: B787 / A350
Virgin Atlantic looking for Boeing pilots. FO: min 1,500hrs TT. Senior FO: min 3,000hrs. Must hold relevant type rating.
Apply at Virgin Atlantic Careers →
Lufthansa Group + Lufthansa City Airlines [NEW]
Role: Captain, FO, Cadet | Base: Frankfurt, Munich & various EU | Aircraft: A220 / A320 / various
Lufthansa Group offering 10+ entry pathways across subsidiaries. New — Lufthansa City Airlines:actively hiring A220/A320 Captains (TR & NTR, permanent, min 5,000hrs, 1,000 PIC on CS-25) and A220 First Officers (fast-track upgrade to Captain). Selection includes DLR aptitude testing.
Apply at Lufthansa Group Careers →
TUI — Pilot
Role: FO & Captain | Base: Various EU bases | Aircraft: Various
TUI recruiting pilots across European operations. Range of fleet types covering short-haul and long-haul flying.
Air France — Cadet Pilot Programme [CLOSED]
Role: Cadet Pilot | Base: Paris, France | Aircraft: Various
Applications closed July 31, 2026. Fully funded 24-month training for candidates with little/no flying experience. Assessments September 4–5, 2026. Must be EEA national and fluent in French. Monitor for next intake.
Check Air France for future intakes →
Note: Aer Lingus Direct Entry Pilot Programme 2025/26 is closed. Watch for next intake window.
🌏 Asia
Jet & Major Carriers
Cathay Pacific — First Officer (Direct Entry) & Cadet Pilot [UPDATED]
Role: DE FO & Cadet | Base: Hong Kong | Aircraft: A321neo / A330 / A350 / B777 / B747
Cathay recruiting Direct Entry FOs (min 1,500hrs on multi-crew civil aircraft) across all fleet types. Cadet Programme open year-round (~80-week fully funded). Shanghai workshop Aug 22 — registration closed Aug 7.
Air India — B737 Captains & Co-Pilots [NEW]
Role: B737 TR & NTR Captains (PIC), Co-Pilots (FO / Senior FO) | Base: Gurugram, India | Aircraft: B737
Air India Group actively recruiting. Captains: TR & NTR pathways, min 100 PIC hrs on B737. Co-Pilots: min 100hrs commercial airline experience post line release. Max age 62 (Captains), 40 (Co-Pilots).
Apply at Air India Pilot Careers →
Singapore Airlines — Cadet Pilot Programme [UPDATED]
Role: Ab Initio Cadet | Base: Singapore | Aircraft: A350 / B777 / A380
Fully sponsored Cadet Programme — direct pathway to SIA cockpit. Min GCE 'O' Level credits. Direct Entry FO & Captain (contract) applications closed Aug 5. Second Officer positions also closed. Monitor for next recruitment cycle.
Jetstar Japan — A320/321 Captain [UPDATED]
Role: Captain | Base: Various, Japan | Aircraft: A320 / A321
Now accepting both JCAB and non-JCAB license holders. Min ICAO Level 5 English (if holding JCAB Level 4). Japan-resident pilots preferred.
ANA Group (Air Japan) — Captain & First Officer (B787)
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Japan (commuting contracts available) | Aircraft: B787
International route opportunities on B787. Commuting-friendly contracts available via AeroProfessional. ANA Group expanding long-haul operations.
Korean Air — Pilot Opportunities
Role: Captain & FO | Base: Seoul, South Korea | Aircraft: B777 / B747 / A330
Korean Air recruiting via Rishworth Aviation. Register interest for upcoming vacancies. Long-haul and wide-body opportunities.
Apply via Rishworth Aviation →
🇺🇸🇨🇦 Americas
Regional & Turboprop
Porter Airlines — Dash 8 Captain & First Officer
Role: DEC & FO | Base: Toronto, Canada | Aircraft: Dash 8
Porter hiring Direct Entry Captains and First Officers on Dash 8. FOs: minimum 1,000hrs TT. 2026 Cadet Programme also open. Aviation degree is an asset.
Jazz Aviation — Pilot Recruitment
Role: FO & Captain | Base: Various Canada | Aircraft: Dash 8 / CRJ
Jazz offering variety of pilot pathways. Minimum 500hrs TT for commercial pilots. Air Canada Express operator.
Jet & Major Carriers
Delta Air Lines — First Officer
Role: First Officer | Base: Various US (Atlanta HQ) | Aircraft: A320 / B737 / A330 / A350
Delta maintaining aggressive hiring — 2,400–2,600 pilots planned for 2026. Average pilot compensation ~$388,000/yr. Must hold FAA ATP, min 23 years old. Online assessment + panel interview.
United Airlines — First Officer
Role: First Officer | Base: Various US hubs | Aircraft: B737 / B787 / A320 / A350
United projecting 1,700–2,000 new hires in 2026. Starting FO rate: $125.52/flight hour. Aviate development programme also available.
American Airlines — First Officer
Role: First Officer | Base: Various US hubs | Aircraft: B737 / A320 / A321
American on track to hire ~1,500 pilots in 2026. Holistic evaluation process. Must hold FAA ATP with multi-engine land.
Apply at American Airlines Pilots →
FedEx — First Officer [NEW]
Role: First Officer | Base: Various US (Memphis HQ) | Aircraft: Various (cargo fleet)
FedEx has resumed pilot hiring — new-hire classes started July 2026. ~800 pilots planned for 2026. Min 1,500hrs fixed-wing, ATP (no limitations), First-Class Medical, FCC licence. Competitive candidates average 4,200hrs. Average pay ~$216,903/yr. Applications typically open twice annually — submit within first 48 hours for priority.
Southwest Airlines — First Officer [UPDATED]
Role: First Officer | Base: Various US | Aircraft: B737
Southwest plans ~1,072 pilot hires in 2026. Application currently closed — expected to reopen September 2026. Destination 225° cadet pathway also closed. Monitor careers page.
Air Canada — Pilot (Non-Express)
Role: Pilot | Base: Toronto & other Canadian bases | Aircraft: B787 / A330 / A320 / B737 MAX
Air Canada accepting applications from non-AC-Express pilots. Open to experienced pilots meeting qualification standards.
WestJet Encore — Q400 First Officer [CLOSED]
Role: First Officer | Base: Calgary (YYC), Canada | Aircraft: Dash 8-Q400
Application expired August 3, 2026. Min 750hrs TT, 100hrs fixed-wing PIC. WestJet Encore supports PICUS programme. Monitor WestJet careers page for future postings.
US Regional update: PSA Airlines, Envoy Air, Horizon Air, and Cape Air all showing active hiring. Allegiant hiring 3 August. Piedmont added new FO pay scale 1 August. Check AirlinePilotCentral for the full US regional list.
🌍 Africa
Jet & Major Carriers
Ethiopian Airlines — Direct Entry Captain (Multiple Types) [UPDATED]
Role: DEC | Base: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Aircraft: B737 / B757 / B767 / B777 / B787 / A350
Hiring type-rated Captains across Boeing and Airbus fleets. Min 3,500hrs jet time, 2,500hrs PIC on jet. English Level 4+. Registration open July 28 – August 29, 2026. Expat applications via expatrecruitment@ethiopianairlines.com. Self-sponsored Trainee Pilot programme also available (age 18–30).
Air Peace — Captain & First Officer (Multiple Types)
Role: B777 Captain, E190/195 Captain, E145 Captain & FO, Embraer E2 Co-Pilots | Base: Lagos, Nigeria | Aircraft: B777 / E190 / E195 / E145 / E2
West & Central Africa's largest airline hiring across multiple fleet types. Commuting contracts 8 weeks on / 3 weeks off. E2 Co-Pilots: min 3,000hrs TT, 500hrs on type. Partners with Rishworth Aviation for expat recruitment.
Kenya Airways — First Officer
Role: FO | Base: Nairobi, Kenya | Aircraft: B737 / E190 / B787
Kenya Airways recruiting First Officers. Min 200 flight hours (excl. simulator) with valid CPL and IR. Entry-level opportunity for low-hour pilots. E-Jet E170/190 Pilot Cadets also being recruited (min 250hrs).
Apply at Kenya Airways Careers →
South African Airways — Pilot
Role: First Officer | Base: Johannesburg, South Africa | Aircraft: Various
SAA recruiting pilots with valid SACAA CPL, min 1,000hrs TT. South African citizens only. Cadet Programme not currently running — all hiring for experienced crew.
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Disclaimer: My Flight Deck Prep compiles this information from publicly available sources. Always verify details and requirements directly on the airline's official career page before applying. This list is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of employment.