how long to command in an airline

TIME TO
COMMAND &
CONDITIONS

Future Airline Pilot Careers and Advice

Future Airline Pilot>Terms and Conditions

Listed below are some of the requirements to gain promotion in a particular airline. The majority will stipulate a minimum number of hours, after which you will be eligible when a position becomes available. Many airlines also have a minimum number of years/seasons, although there are always exceptions and it usually depends on seniority and expansion/retirements within the company for positions to become available. Some airlines offer direct entry commands with a minimum time in command required from previous experience.
Please note that when times are quoted they are averages and will vary. Requirements change on a regular basis within companies and this is intended as a rough guide only. Update 2008. Due to the problems with fuel pricing and the recession at the end of 2008, promotions are likely to slow and there are possibilities of seasonal commands for some carriers.

Hours building can be worked out on between 500 and the CAA maximum of 900 in a year, depending on the airline that you are employed by.

Aer Arann	Direct Entry Captains often required.
Aer Lingus	Promotion to junior fleets at around 4,000 hours. Only 2 attempts allowed at command. Approximately 12 - 14 years to command.
Astraeus Flystar	Opportunities for suitable candidates
Atlantic Airlines	Wherever possible from the existing First Officer pool on an ability basis with no seniority system.
bmibaby	Minimum hours for captain – 4,000 but possibly 3,500 with 1,000 hours jet time.
bmi Regional	Minimum 2,500 hours total time.Transfer Agreement in place with bmi british midland and bmibaby. Minimum time with bmi Regional 2 years and at least 1 year since last type rating before eligible for transfer. Selection criteria apply. Interline privileges and length of service (but not seniority) will be carried forward and there will be no deduction for training as there is for direct entry pilot to british midland.
British Airways	Time to Command: A320/B737 8 years, B777 14 years
Cathay Pacific	SO to FO 2-4 years and FO to Captain 2-8 years at present (dependant on fleet). All SOs based in Hong Kong. FOs and Captains eligible for other bases.
Cathay Pacific Freight	F/Os must spend 3 years on freighters before transfer to passenger fleet. Can take as little as 2 years to gain a command if staying on freighters and not going to passenger fleet.
DHL Air	By seniority, hours and suitability
Dragonair
Eastern Airways	Minimum hours for Captain. 2,500 hours, 1,000 multi, 20 on type
easyJet	No seniority system. Promotion on ability. When you have the minimum hours required, you put yourself forward and are taken through a suitability program before being offered a position on a course.
Emirates	Minimum hours for Captain 6,000 hours TT, 4,000 hours P1/P2 on turboprop/Jet >10,000 Kgs. At least 36 months in Emirates prior to promotion to Captain and at least 12 months on type from the commencement of training. Consideration for command is based on successful completion of the Command Assessment Programme and recommendation by fleet management. Direct entry commands available when required with minimum of 8000 hours TT.
First Choice Airways (TUI)	Minimum hours for Captain 4000 + 2 seasons charter industry. 8 years at present.
Flightline	Minimum hours for captain 2500 hours total time with 1000 hours multi engine and 500 hours P1 multi crew.
Flybe	By seniority except where residency requirements exist for JER/GCI. Minimum hours for captain 3,000 (Jet), 2,500 (Turboprop)
Flyglobespan	On merit, no seniority list
Gulf Air	Clean training and personal record, then by company seniority and total flying hours.
Highland Airways	As required
Jet2.com	Promotion from within using DE only if internal candidates unable to meet experience requirements. 3,000 hours total with 500 hours on type + Command assessment.
Loganair	2000 hours with 700 on type. Some F/O’s promoted on issue of ATPL.
Monarch	Minimum hours for captain are 4000 hours - less if assessed as above average ability (minimum 3500 hours). Command board (consisting of all training captains) sits and decides who is suitable. Promotion is then on seniority. Currently assessing all the way to the bottom of the seniority list as there are many low hour FOs.
Qatar Airways	Command after 2 years
Ryanair	3000 hours + 6 months with company (to include one Winter).
ScotAirways	Minimum hours for captain. 2000 + above average Sim/Line checks. (No Seniority List)
Singapore Airlines
SkyEurope	2,500 hours total time for a Command
Thomas Cook	Minimum hours for captain 4,000 including 500 jet P1 (over 40,000kgs) or 500 hours in company service (Under review). FO to SFO by attainment of ATPL + 1,500 hours. Time scale for Cadet to SFO is after 7 years.
Thomsonfly (TUI)	Internally by seniority and performance to Captain. Average 7-8 years to command B757/767, 2-3 years B737.
Titan Airways	Performance and skill based
TNT Airways	Minimum requirement ATPL and 2 years service
Virgin Atlantic	By seniority from within, no direct entry Captains

Terms