14 April 2026
British Airways’ fully funded pilot training scheme has opened for applications for the fourth year running, with an £18m commitment by the airline for up to 160 aspiring pilots.
Tens of thousands of applicants are expected to apply for a place on the highly-competitive Speedbird Pilot Academy, which sees BA covering the £100,000 training cost for those who land a spot on the programme.
Applications to win a place on the Speedbird Pilot Academy opened on Tuesday 14 April 2026 via the British Airways Careers website and close on Thursday 23 April 2026. Those interested need to be 17 to 58 years of age, and at least 18 at the start of training.
Applicants also require six GCSEs grade A-C or 4-9, including Maths, English Language and a Science or equivalent qualifications, and hold a valid passport which permits unrestricted worldwide travel.
Previous years have seen in excess of 25,000 people apply for a place on the scheme. Successful applicants will train with one of British Airways’ approved training partners before moving towards a career on the flight deck.
The scheme comes as new research reveals significant untapped interest in aviation careers, with almost one in four (24%) UK adults saying they would have considered becoming an airline pilot if training had been fully funded.
British Airways makes pilot training possible for those who cannot otherwise afford it
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive said, “The Speedbird Pilot Academy is an investment not just in British Airways, but in the future of UK aviation.
“We want the very best talent out there for our future generation of pilots. By removing the costs, we’re opening the opportunity up to more people and making a flying career more accessible to all.”
Josh Bailey, British Airways pilot and graduate of the Speedbird Pilot Academy, added, “Becoming a pilot always felt like a distant dream for someone like me. I didn’t go to university and the cost of training was completely out of reach, it was close to the value of the house I grew up in.
“The Speedbird Pilot Academy has changed my life. It’s given me an opportunity I never thought possible and opened the door to a career I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember.
“From standing at my bedroom window as a kid in Greater Manchester watching aircraft overhead, to now completing my A320 training with British Airways, it still doesn’t feel real.”
