how long to command in an airline

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.
Please note that when times are quoted they are averages and will vary. Requirements change o a monthly basis within companies and this is intended as a rough guide only.

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 Lingus	All Captains are promoted from within the company and has been after as little as 4 years but on average 5 to 10 years, dependant on experience. FOs get 2 chances at promotion. If both applications fail they can not apply again.
First Choice (Air 2000)	4000 hours and a minimum of 2 seasons with the company
Astraeus	Minimum of 3500 hours with 500hours on jet.
BA Citi Express	By seniority and suitability. Promotion from FO requires a minimum of 2500 hours with 1000 hours multicrew.
bmi (British Midland)	Minimum of 4000 hours or 3500 hours, 1000 of which are jet time.
bmi Baby	Minimum of 4000 hours or 3500 hours, 1000 of which are jet time.
Thomson (Britannia)	Promotion from within by seniority and performance. Can take about 10 years but is likely to fall in the future.
British Airways	Promotion by seniority years within the company. Time to command is approx 8 to10 years for shorthaul and 13 years for longhaul.
British Mediterranean	Join as FO, time to command approx 2 years depending on ability. Promotion by seniority and ability with required hours. Occasionally direct entry Captain if insufficient FOs to promote. Internal FO candidates require 3500hours, 1000 hours jet and 500 hours on type.
Cathay Pacific	Join as SO to be Hong Kong based, then approx 2 to 3 years before promotion to FO. Join as direct entry FO on Cargo Fleet not in HKG and takes 3 years from first productive flight before you can move across to passenger fleet, maintaining seniority. Promoted from within the company and can take as little as 2 years to achieve command on the Freighter fleet (info Feb 05). Require a minimum of 1000 hours total and a frozen ATPL.
Channel Express/Jet2	After 3 years. Promotion from within, direct entry Captains only if internal candidates unable to meet experience requirements.
Deutsche BA	Captains are recruited from internal upgrades only. Time unknown.
DHL UK	Promotion from within only.
Easy Jet	FO/SFO to Captain on average 2 years. Direct entry Captain if no suitable pilots within the company.
Emirates	Average 6 to 10 years. Currently all pilots join as FO on either A330 or B777. Selection for command upgrade will be on the basis of suitability and seniority subject to 6000 hours TT, a minimum of 3500 hours on aircraft > 10,000 kgs and a minimum of 3 years service in Emirates. Latest requirement for direct entry Training Captains with minimum of 10,000 hours TT, 3000 of which in command of a multi crew and multi engine aircraft.
Excel Airways	Promoted from within only, based on ability and seniority.
Flightline	Type rated on BAe146 with good jet experience. Interpretation of 'good' unknown.
Flybe	2 years on type and a minimum of 3000 hours before promotion to captain.
Flyjet	B757 rated and current on type. Direct entry or from within the company.
GB Airways	After 3 years promotion to SFO. Minimum of 4000hrs or 3 years with the company and 3500 hrs plus 1500 hrs on GB or BA aircraft for promotion to captain. Expect 5 to 7 years in current climate.
Hapag-lloyd	Captains are recruited from upgrades within only. Time unknown
KLM	Unknown.
Lufthansa	No direct entry Captains. Promotion from FO according to seniority list after about 8 to12 yrs flying for Lufthansa.
Monarch	Promoted from within using seniority system. Minimum of 4000hours and the average time from joining to promotion to Captain is 7 to 10 years, could be much less with an expanding fleet.
My Travel	All Captains will be promoted from within the company.
Ryan Air	Promoted from within after gaining 3000 hours and a minimum of 6 months with Ryanair. You are expected to get your first command after your third year.
Thomas Cook	Strictly by seniority and suitability. Promotion as FO to SFO by attainment of ATPL plus 1500 hrs. Experienced pilots join as SFO. Promotion to Captain after a minimum of 4000 hours, including 2000 jet and 500 P1, plus a suitable command assessment.
Virgin Atlantic	Promoted from within. Minimum of 6000 hours, minus 250 hours for each year of service, for up to four years.
Virgin Express	Minimum of 4000 hours TT with 2000 hours on civil jets.