Virgin Atlantic First Officers

Job Description

As a pilot with Virgin Atlantic, you will be joining the UK’s only exclusively long-haul airline. Flying out of London Heathrow to exciting destinations such as New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Delhi, Barbados, Antigua and many more.

Our pilots head up our flying operation every day, being part of the crew and the wider team that make the difference to our customers as they fly Virgin Atlantic. As a high performing and motivated professional pilot, you’ll steer the operation such that we give our customers an exceptional journey, delivering consistent operational excellence in the sky whilst maintaining our highest safety standards.

We have one of the youngest, cleanest, and most technologically advanced twin-engine wide-body fleet of any airline. So, as a pilot, you’ll be flying industry leading modern and efficient aircraft, which is being further renewed with deliveries every year.

Day to day

You’ll be operating the flight by demonstrating excellent aircraft handling ability, procedural and technical knowledge, leadership, and exemplary human factors.

You’ll work in a team and with close communication with our Flight Service Manager, cabin crew and ground teams, successfully operate the flight to the high standards which define Virgin Atlantic Airways.

You’ll undertake recurrent training and checking to the professional and medical standards required by the CAA and Virgin Atlantic. Setting high standards for your own development, supported by our industry leading training and development team.

You should possess the vital attributes as well as passion, technical knowledge, innovation, and drive, to be a future Commander of Virgin Atlantic. Your actions will continue to enhance the reputation of the Virgin Atlantic brand.

About you

Our purpose is to inspire everyone to take on the world, championing inclusivity, activism, and challenger spirit. It guides us in everything we do as we strive to make progress on the issues that matter most.

Our Pilot community is made up of diverse backgrounds, so respect and teamwork are fundamental. If you have a genuine passion for flying, for all aspects of aviation and want to play a key role in helping us to become the ‘Most Loved’ Travel Company, why not apply today?

We are looking for pilots to become First Officers, who have one of the following current type ratings:

• Airbus A319/320/321/330/350
• Boeing 737/747/757/767/777/787

You must have a minimum experience of 1,500 hours of total flying time on the above with at least 500 hours current on type (hours spent solely as a cruise pilot are not included).


You also need the following:

• Flown the aircraft type within the last 6 months
• Achieved 200 flying hours in the last 12 months
• Hold a current UK Class One Medical and United Kingdom or European Union Flight Crew License (ATPL) issued by the UK CAA at the date of joining
• The ability to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English (certified as ICAO level 6 English Proficiency when applying)

What we offer

Our pioneering spirit and passion keeps our brand alive, and with one of the best concessionary packages in the industry, we give our people the rewards and benefits that they deserve. Because the best, deserve the best.

• Private Medical Scheme
• Up to seven flights a year to any of Virgin Atlantic’s global destinations (did someone say Vegas!)
• Generous contributory pension scheme
• A high-energy work environment that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages you to bring your whole self to work
• Access to our employee assistance programme and Digital GP service
• Industry-leading Staff Travel benefits

Be yourself - Our differences make us stronger

Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference, and everything that makes our colleagues unique, by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.