Does your choice of flight school matter when getting an airline job?

Pilot Networks FAQ: Short, sweet and to the point answer to the most searched flight training questions...

Become an Airline Pilot in 2022 Guide

Click Here To Read Our Definitive Guide

Does your choice of flight school matter when getting an airline job?

Your flight school choice can give an airline recruiter an impression of your aviation attitude and training background, but not every school is known by the airlines. They also recognise that the licence is examined to the same standard and tolerances no matter if you trained at the smallest or most well known flying school in Europe. Certain flight schools across Europe do have professional relationships with airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet which can allow fast track streamlined access to the recruitment process, but simply going to a certain flight school will not guarantee an airline job.

However no matter where you have trained, the right people will always get the right jobs, airline recruitment is very fair and does not prejudice based on your training school. After all, you all hold the same licence, examined to the same standard. You can find out which airlines students have graduated to from our enhanced Pilot Network flight school profiles:

More information...

No matter where you have trained, the right people will always get the jobs - if the industry is in the position for recruitment. There is certainly no method of guaranteeing an airline job through your choice of flight school. It is also worth being aware that not all the apparent ‘partnerships’ between flight schools and airlines are reciprocated when you speak to the airlines. Airlines are very particular about the ATOs they associate with and therefore it is always wise to find out about any partnerships first hand from airline recruiters or the airlines websites.

However there are genuine and attractive partnerships out there such as the Ryanair ATO partners and other airline cadet programmes. Please be aware however, almost all cadet programmes or airline mentored programmes will still require you to pass a final interview after completing your training, even if access to this interview has been streamlined.

It is also worth remembering that specific flight schools may only offer training towards a specific licence authority - which currently severely restricts your ability to work for certain airlines. You can find out more about this here. (Dual EASA and UKCAA Flight Schools)

Remember, just because you have completed your training, it doesn't mean there is a job waiting for you.