Ryanair Pilot Salary and Benefits in 2025

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Ryanair (FR) is one of the world’s largest ultra low-cost carriers based out of Dublin, Ireland. The operator has become synonymous with the LCC acronym while also being credited with influencing the functionality of airlines operating a similar model elsewhere in the world. Presently, it is the world’s largest airline by scheduled international passenger footfall.

With a fleet of over 600 aircraft operating to more than 225 destinations around Europe and the north of Africa, Ryanair’s business model of providing no-frills flight tickets to budget travellers has held it in good stead among millions around its network. It employs over 7,000 pilots, who are based out of more than 20 operating hubs across Europe, hence providing seamless connectivity.

Here is a detailed review of how much Ryanair’s pilots are paid as well as the other benefits they enjoy as part of their employment with the carrier.

Ryanair Pilot Salary

Photo: Ryanair

Ryanair First Officer Salary

Ryanair employs thousands of first officers, the majority of whom are fresh graduates out of flying schools or the airline’s own cadet program.

They earn crucial flying hours before being promoted as captains, while being responsible in supporting the captain on a day-to-day basis in handling air traffic communication, safety and other key metrics in the cockpit.

Ryanair’s captains receive an annual salary ranging from €53,000 to €85,000 (approx. US$57,500 to US$92,200). The figure is largely dependent on their operating base, overall experience within the carrier as well as total flying hours.

In a year, FR’s captains are required to fly over 850 hours. FOs in United Kingdom are compensated a likewise amount in accordance with the euro to pound conversion rate.

Ryanair Captain Salary

Ryanair captains are the airline’s experienced crop of pilots who are responsible for executing the flight safely from its origin to destination, while also managing the flight crew.

At the low-cost carrier, they are also tasked with ensuring quick turnaround times so that the airline can maintain an on-time performance as well as keep parking charges at airports in check.

The captains at Ryanair receive a salary ranging from €84,000 per year to €155,000 per year (approx. US$91,100 to US$168,100). As with first officers, the total amount depends on experience, operating base and overall flying hours, with a yearly minimum expectation of 850. Captains in the United Kingdom are compensated at an appropriate conversion rate.

Photo: Ryanair

Benefits Enjoyed by Ryanair pilots

In addition to their basic salaries, Ryanair’s pilots are entitled to the following benefits.

• WORK-LIFE BALANCE – Ryanair’s rosters are published four weeks in advance and provide an industry leading work-life balance. After five successive days of work, pilots are granted four straight days off while more often than not, they are not required to spend overnights in hotels away from their primary operating hubs.
• GENEROUS LEAVE – In addition to its fantastic leave allowance as part of every roster, Ryanair’s pilots are also entitled to 28 paid days off in a calendar year in addition to public holidays in their respective country of operation.
• STAFF TRAVEL – Ryanair’s pilots, families and friends are eligible for unlimited staff travel on a standby basis every year, while after a year with the carrier, six free return tickets can be availed by the pilot or their family members. Pilots on short-term contracts as opposed to full-time work agreements are not eligible for this benefit.
• CORPORATE DEALS – Ryanair’s pilots can also avail attractive car rental and hotel discounts through the airline’s partnerships with leading global brands. In addition, non-affiliated holiday auxiliaries are available through Ryanair’s tie-up with Touchdown, one of the biggest staff travel companies in the United Kingdom.
• BASE FLEXIBILITY – Ryanair allows its pilots to switch bases subject to availability within the carrier and fulfilment of legal obligations by the respective individual. This allows pilots to move freely locally in a country or across borders as well without having to search for a new job. Additionally, a growing list of hubs means pilots have chances of being transferred too.
• CAREER PROGRESSION – Thanks to its massive size as well as bases around the world, pilots have very good career progression pathways too, either within the cockpit or in other capacities such as office-based roles, advisors or instructors under the airline’s cadet wing.

Photo: Ryanair, EI-DCW, Boeing 737-8AS | Anna Zvereva | Flickr

What Aircraft do Ryanair pilots fly?

Ryanair has a fleet of airplanes exclusively dominated by the Boeing 737 family, with the following fleet currently in service for the European carrier.

• Boeing 737-700 – 1
• Boeing 737-800 – 410
• Boeing 737 MAX 200 – 175

Meanwhile, the following aircraft are on order.

• Boeing 737 MAX 200 – 35
• Boeing 737 MAX 10 – 300

In addition to the above, Ryanair also has 26 Airbus A320-200 against its assets in the balance sheet although they are operated by Lauda Europe, their subsidiary based out of Malta.

Photo: Ryanair

How to become a pilot at Ryanair?

Ryanair’s first officers must fulfil the following requirements.

• Operator Conversion Course (OCC)
• Must have the right to work in EU? (Valid EU / EEA Passport with the unrestricted right to live and work in the EU)
• Cannot be older than 65
• License Type – a) EASA Part FCL b) JAR FCL c) National License compliant with ICAO standards Note: c) Will require IAA validation – (Some national licenses will not be accepted by the IAA).
• Valid ATPL – Applies to JAR-FCL and National Licenses)
• Current medical – Must hold a valid EU (Part-MED) issued Class 1 medical certificate.
• Minimum 1,200 hours total flying time
• Minimum of 1,000 hours on a Multi-crew, Multi-engine aircraft weighing in excess of 30,000kg MTOW with an established airline.
• Minimum of 800 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) on a Multi-crew, Multi-engine jet aircraft weighing in excess of 30,000kg. (No PIC hours on Turboprop aircraft shall be considered).
• Applicant must have the B737 300-900 type rating listed on license.
• For JAA & EASA license holders the application must be made within 36 months of the most recent B737 300-900 “Valid Until” date specified in Section XII “Certificate of Revalidation”. i.e. the B737 300-900 Rating must not have expired for longer than 3 years at the intended (OCC) course commencement date.
• English Language Proficiency – minimum required proficiency Level is Operational Level (Level 4). (Written proficiency is required at Operational level). (Reference: ICAO Doc 9835).

Meanwhile, captains must fulfil the below requirements to be considered.

• Operator Conversion Course (OCC)
• Must have the right to work in EU? (Valid EU / EEA Passport with the unrestricted right to live and work in the EU)
• Cannot be older than 65
• License Type – a) EASA Part FCL b) JAR FCL c) National License compliant with ICAO standards Note: c) Will require IAA validation – (Some national licenses will not be accepted by the IAA).
• Valid ATPL – Applies to JAR-FCL and National Licenses)
• Current medical – Must hold a valid EU (Part-MED) issued Class 1 medical certificate.
• Minimum 3,500 hours total flying time
• Minimum of 2,000 hours on a Multi-crew, Multi-engine aircraft weighing in excess of 30,000kg MTOW with an established airline.
• Minimum of 800 hours Pilot in Command (PIC) on a Multi-crew, Multi-engine jet aircraft weighing in excess of 30,000kg. (No PIC hours on Turboprop aircraft shall be considered).
• Minimum 500 hours PIC on the B737-300 to 900 series.
• Applicant must have the B737 300-900 type rating listed on license.
• For JAA & EASA license holders the application must be made within 36 months of the most recent B737 300-900 “Valid Until” date specified in Section XII “Certificate of Revalidation”. i.e. the B737 300-900 Rating must not have expired for longer than 3 years at the intended (OCC) course commencement date.
• English Language Proficiency – minimum required proficiency Level is Operational Level (Level 4). (Written proficiency is required at Operational level). (Reference: ICAO Doc 9835).
• Must have operated on B737 300-900 as Commander within the 36 months prior to the course start date.

Photo: PixaBay

Hiring Process

Ryanair follows the below steps in its hiring process for pilots.

1. APPLICATION – Ryanair pilot jobs are advertised on their careers page on the official website with candidates having the option to apply directly by submitting their resumes and other relevant documents to support the candidature.
2. ONLINE ASSESSMENT – Once the application is received and screened, an online assessment is sent out to shortlisted individuals. This tests their psychometric attributes as well as theoretical knowledge required to successfully pursue the role.
3. SIMULATOR TEST – Those who pass the online test are invited to undergo a simulator examination at one of the airline’s operating bases across Europe, where they are tested for their technical knowledge and skills on-board a Boeing 737.
4. OFFER – An offer is made to the successful candidate, subject to the clearance of background checks, including pre-employment medical tests. At this stage, an operating base is also confirmed to them should there be a few options available for choosing.

Photo: By kitmasterbloke – https://www.flickr.com/photos/58415659@N00/51752028899/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114422105

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