Зарплата пилота Virgin Australia в 2025 году

Virgin Australia (VA) is an Australian airline headquartered in Brisbane with operating hubs in Melbourne and Sydney as well. The carrier serves 40 domestic and international destinations with a fleet consisting of over 100 aircraft exclusively manufactured by Boeing. VA, also locally known as Velocity due to its frequent flyer program, operates roughly 400 flights daily.

The airline operates a unique model as some of its services are low-cost based, whereas others are reminiscent of a full-service carrier.

As the name suggests, Virgin Australia was founded by the owner of the Virgin Group, British businessman Richard Branson, and is interestingly a larger operator than its counterpart based out of London, Virgin Atlantic.

Photo: Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia Pilot Salary

Virgin Australia presently has around 1,200 pilots on its payroll, and here is a look at how much they make, the other benefits they are entitled to, and a look at the qualifications to become one.

Virgin Australia First Officer Salary

Virgin Australia’s first officers help the captain in ensuring that a flight is conducted smoothly. They handle communication with air traffic control, help the commander in decision-making, and also perform ad-hoc duties like liaising with ground staff.

The more experienced crop of first officers also work closely with captains to get their four stripes with due experience.

From July 1st, 2025, Virgin Australia will pay its first officers a salary of AU$ 180,206 per year or approximately US$117,000. All first officers will be expected to fly for 70 hours per month, whereas their hourly flying rates will be broken down as below, depending on seniority.

• First officer – AU$205.02 per hour (approx. US$133)
• Training first officer – AU$236.57 per hour (approx. US$153.60)

Photo: Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia Captain Salary

Virgin Australia captains make up the senior crop of the airline’s set of pilots and are tasked with safely getting the aircraft from its origin to its destination.

They are responsible for making key decisions regarding emergency and safety procedures, navigation, and management of the flight crew, while the senior-most commanders train co-pilots to become captains too.

Effective July 1st, 2025, Virgin Australia’s captains will be paid a salary of AU$ 277,256 per year or approximately US$180,000. As in the case of first officers, their minimum monthly flying hours are 70, and depending on seniority, the hourly rates paid out to captains are broken down as below.

• Captain – AU$315.44 (approx. US$205)
• Training captain – AU$346.98 (approx. US$225)
• Senior training captain – AU$356.44 (approx. US$231)
• Check captain – AU$365.91 (approx. US$238)

ALSO READ: Emirates Airline Pilot Salary in 2024

Photo: Virgin Australia

Benefits Enjoyed by Them

In addition to attractive salaries, Virgin Australia pilots are entitled to the following benefits.

• Generous leave – Virgin Australia pilots receive a generous amount of leave. In addition to public holidays, which are compensated in case of being rostered, they receive six weeks of paid days off in a calendar year, in addition to a guaranteed weekend off in a month.
• Flexible roster option – Virgin Australia pilots have the option to be employed by the airline on a part-time basis or to work only 60% or 80% of the total hours worked by full-time counterparts. This is a particularly attractive scheme for those seeking lighter workloads.
• Career pathways – Virgin Australia pilots enjoyed good career pathways internally and externally. Employees have an option to pursue careers in the corporate arm of the carrier after their career as a pilot, while some also join flying schools as flight trainers.
• Discounted travel – Virgin Australia allows its pilots, their families and friends to avail significant discounts on the airline’s own as well as partner carriers’ (including Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic) entire domestic and international network.
• Corporate deals – Virgin Australia pilots can avail of heavy corporate discounts with the airline’s partners, such as hotel companies, car hire providers, gyms, and travel insurance agencies, amongst others, all over the world.
• Insurance policies – Virgin Australia offers its pilots a comprehensive, globally-valid medical insurance policy to all its pilots, thus mitigating unforeseen health-related expenses in addition to a life insurance policy that comes with a generous cover.

Photo: Virgin Australia

What Aircraft do Virgin Australia Pilots fly?

Virgin Australia has a fleet entirely dominated by the Boeing 737 family, alongside a number of Boeing 777-300ERs, which have been wet-leased from Qatar Airways.

Here is a breakdown of the carrier’s entire fleet.

• Boeing 737-700 – 9
• Boeing 737-800 – 79
• Boeing 737 MAX 8 – 8
• Boeing 777-300ER – 5

In addition to its existing fleet, the following planes are on order.

• Boeing 737-800 – 1
• Boeing 737 MAX 8 – 12
• Boeing 737 MAX 10 – 13

Photo: Virgin Australia

How to become a pilot for Virgin Australia?

All pilots looking to work for Virgin Australia must fulfil the requirements below. Captains are hired depending on overall experience as well as operational needs, whereas, given the current crop of pilots at the airline, internal promotions are also very common.

• A current Australian ATPL or Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and passes in all Australian ATPL theory subjects
• Australian Instrument Rating with MEA, IAP 2D, and IAP 3D endorsement
• English language proficiency Level 6
• A valid Australian Class 1 Medical Certificate
• Have the following relevant experience:
  • Have a minimum total flight time of 500 hours with 300 hours in command of a powered fixed wing aircraft (excluding ICUS), that includes 200 hours in command of a multi-engine aircraft (excluding ICUS), or
  • Have a minimum total flight time of 500 hours with 300 hours in command of a turbine-powered fixed-wing aircraft, or
  • Have a minimum total flight time of 500 hours on aircraft certified for operation by a crew of at least 2 pilots (multi-crew aircraft).

Photo: Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia Pilots Hiring Process

Virgin Australia follows the steps below in its hiring process for pilots.

1. Application – All interested candidates are required to make an online application through the Virgin Australia careers portal by submitting their resumes as well as other relevant documents to support their expression of interest.
2. Video interview – Those who are initially shortlisted must complete a video interview based on a set template of questions, which is designed to determine their basic qualifications for the role as well as any prior experience.
3. Assessment – Candidates who pass the video interview are required to attend an assessment where interviews, group exercises, and simulator tests are conducted to assess a person’s suitability in an airline’s environment and to understand their technical skills.
4. Offer – A conditional offer is made to those who pass the assessment stage. A background check, medical examination, and verification of documentation are required to be conducted by Virgin Australia before the pilot’s employment can begin.

Photo by Virgin Australia

Virgin Australia pilot FAQs

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