British Airways to put 200 aspiring pilots through training

The airline said it wants to attract ‘the very best candidates from right across society’.

British Airways has announced it will fully-fund up to 200 places on its pilot training programme next year (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Wire)

British Airways has announced it will fully fund up to 200 places on its pilot training programme next year.

The airline said it is making the £21 million investment to boost social mobility and diversity within its pilot community.

Many prospective pilots are unable to self-fund training, which usually takes around two years and costs in the region of £100,000.

Funding was initially in place for 100 places in 2025, but the airline announced at the Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire that this has been doubled to 200.

British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said: “I’m incredibly proud of the Speedbird Pilot Academy and the opportunity it provides to those talented individuals who have held a lifetime ambition of becoming a commercial airline pilot but have perhaps found it difficult to independently fund their training.

“The standard of applicants we see for this programme is consistently high so as part of our commitment to attracting the very best candidates from right across society, we’ve increased the 2025 cohort to give as many people as possible the chance of realising their dream.”

Ryan Street, a 27-year-old Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet from Stockport, Greater Manchester dreamed of a career in aviation since he was a young boy.He joined the RAF Air Cadets at the age of 12 and worked at Manchester Airport for a ground handling company before successfully applying for British Airways’ training programme.

He said: “Applying for the Speedbird Pilot Academy and being selected for such a highly competitive opportunity was a dream come true, knowing that I would finally be able to achieve the career I had always wanted.

“Without the assistance British Airways provided with this cadetship, I might not have ever been able to afford the current training costs, so I am thankful to them that they are able to provide this wonderful opportunity for those that might never have been able to get this far.”