LONDON- Wizz Air UK is a low-cost airline based at London’s Luton Airport, owned by Wizz Air Holdings, the parent company of the namesake Hungarian operator. The carrier is one of the UK’s youngest air operators and started operations just over seven years ago.
The objective of Wizz Air in creating an entirely new airline for the United Kingdom was to gain full access to the market after Brexit.
At the moment, Wizz Air, operating under the IATA Code W9, flies to 57 destinations from its two bases in London – Gatwick and Luton – with a fleet of 18 aircraft.
While the exact number of flights operated by Wizz Air’s UK arm is not known, it hires approximately 120 pilots to ensure smooth operations to both domestic and international destinations.
Here is a comprehensive look at how much their pilots are paid, the rest of the benefits they enjoy, as well as the requirements one must fulfil to be eligible for a role with Wizz Air UK.
Wizz Air UK Pilot Salary in 2025
Photo: Wizz AirWizz Air First Officer salary
Wizz Air UK’s first officers are the airline’s junior-most category of pilots. They hire FOs who have graduated from flight schools or the airline’s cadet programs, as well as individuals with some years of experience under their belt.
Their primary objective is to assist the captain in safely flying the aircraft by conducting safety checks before take-offs and handling communication with ATC.
At Wizz Air UK, first officers are paid a salary ranging from £35,700 to £55,000 per year, or approximately between US$48,000 and US$74,000.
They are expected to fly for 850 hours in a calendar year, and additional duty pay is between £15 and £22 per sector, plus an additional amount for each kilometre the aircraft flies between the two airports.
Photo: Wizz AirWizz Air UK Captain’s salary
Wizz Air UK’s captains are the airline’s senior crop of pilots, who are hired from other airlines based on past experience or promoted internally from the batch of first officers.
They are tasked with being the employee in command of the aircraft from point A to point B, and being responsible for the safety of passengers, as well as any decision-making required during the flight’s cruise and critical phases like take-offs and landings.
The captains at Wizz Air UK are paid a salary ranging from £97,550 to £145,700 per year, or roughly between US$131,000 and US$195,000.
As with first officers, commanders are also expected to fly for 850 hours every calendar year, and receive an additional duty pay of £37 per sector, plus an additional amount for each kilometre the aircraft travels.
The basic salaries of both first officers and captains are variable depending on the years they have spent with the airline, as well as their overall experience in the cockpit.
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Photo: Wizz AirBenefits Enjoyed By Wizz Air UK Pilots
In addition to their basic salaries and additional payment for flights, Wizz Air’s pilots are entitled to the following benefits.
- Bonus scheme – Wizz Air UK has a bonus structure for annual payouts to its pilots depending on a combination of the airline’s and the individual’s performance during each financial year. There are also loyalty bonuses for aviators.
- Roster options – Wizz Air UK has flexible or fixed roster options for its pilots. Depending on each individual’s preference, they can decide on what suits them best, including the days off they can receive during each cycle of rotas.
- Free flights – Wizz Air UK’s pilots can avail between four and eight tickets for free twice a year for themselves and their families. In addition, tickets are available at a flat rate to them during other times of the year, depending on each flight’s duration.
- Insurance – Wizz Air UK offers its pilots a comprehensive medical insurance policy to take care of any unforeseen health expenses, a life insurance to compensate their dependents in case of mishaps, and a loss of license insurance cover.
- Career progression – Wizz Air UK has internal career progression options, which are aimed at increasing employee loyalty. First officers are often promoted to captains, who, after retiring, can take up teaching positions in the airline’s cadet programs.
- Relocation option – Considering the number of subsidiaries Wizz Air Holdings has, all its pilots are given relocation options as long as they possess the relevant working rights, therefore giving them the option of remaining tied to the airline’s parent group.
Photo: By tjdarmstadt – IMG_9636.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61529963Aircraft Fleet
Wizz Air, across all of its subsidiaries, houses an Airbus A320 family exclusive fleet. Here are the aircraft the holding’s UK arm has in its cavalry.
- Airbus A321neo – 18
In addition, there are two Airbus A321XLR on order.
Photo: Wizz AirHow to Become a Pilot at W9?
Wizz Air UK has the following legal requirements for each candidate based in the United Kingdom.
- Unrestricted right to live and work in the United Kingdom
- Valid UK CAA (ATPL/CPL)
- Valid UK CAA Class 1 Medical Certificate
- ICAO level 4/5/6 English proficiency
First officers who have A320 type ratings from the cadet program must meet the following criteria.
- Valid Instrument Rating (IR) and Type Rating, both on Airbus A320
- ATPL theory completed* (certificate or license endorsement as a remark)
- Total 300 hours actual flight time on fixed-wing aircraft
First officers from cadet programs without A320 type ratings must meet the requirements below.
- Valid Instrument Rating (IR) on any multi-engine class/type
- Valid multi-engine class or type rating
- ATPL theory completed (certificate or license endorsement as a remark)
- UPRT training completed (certificate and 3 hours TTL logbook entry on certified aircraft)
Experienced first officers with an Airbus A320 type-rating must meet the criteria as follows.
- Minimum 500 hours on Airbus A320
- Valid Instrument Rating (IR) and Type-Rating, both on Airbus A320
- ATPL theory completed** (certificate or license endorsement as a remark)
- Preferably 300 hours on Airbus A320/A330/A340/A350/A380 in last 12 months
Experienced first officers without the relevant type-rating must fulfil the below.
- Valid Instrument Rating (IR) on any multi-engine class/type
- Valid multi-engine class or type rating
- Minimum 500 hours ME/IR multi-crew operation experience (Airline ME > 5.7tons and Business ME > 20tons)
- ATPL theory completed (certificate or license endorsement as a remark)
- JOC or APS-MCC (jet/fan) course completed (certificate or license endorsement as a remark)
Experienced direct-entry captains with an A320 type-rating are required to fulfil the following requirements.
- Minimum 3.500 factorised hours
- Valid Instrument Rating (IR) and Type-Rating, both on Airbus A320
- Minimum 500 hours actual flight time on Airbus A320 aircraft
- Minimum 1000 hours actual flight time as PIC on Airbus A320/A330/A340/A350/A380 aircraft
- Preferably, a minimum of 300 hours of actual flight time on Airbus A320 in the last 12 months
- Preferably last commercial flight within the preceding 6 months
Experienced direct-entry captains without the necessary type-rating must fulfil the below.
- Minimum 3.500 factorised hours
- Valid Instrument Rating (IR) on any multi-engine class/type
- Valid multi-engine class or type rating
- Preferably last commercial flight within the preceding 6 months
- 1000 hours as Commander on Airbus FBW aircraft operating in the airline environment
OR
- 1.500 hours on a large turbojet aircraft with a MTOM > 50.000 kg AND 1,000 hours as a Commander on aircraft with MTOM > 50,000 kg operating in an airline environment.
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Photo: Wizz AirWizz Air UK’s Hiring Process for Pilots
Wizz Air UK has the following steps in its hiring process for pilots.
- ONLINE APPLICATION – An online application must be submitted by the interested candidates through Wizz Air UK’s careers portal. It should contain their resume, cover letter, and any other supporting documentation.
- PRE-SCREENING – After the deadline for applications has elapsed, the recruitment team screens all the received applicants in accordance with their hiring requirements and contacts shortlisted candidates for an assessment.
- ASSESSMENT DAY – At the assessment day, which is held in person, an interview, some group activities, and psychometric tests follow. Depending on the individual’s background, a simulator test might also be conducted.
- OFFER – Wizz Air UK’s hiring team makes a conditional offer to the shortlisted candidates, which is subject to their successfully completing background checks and medical examinations.
Photo: Wizz AirWizz Air UK’s pilot FAQs
Wizz Air UK’s pilots are paid a salary ranging from £35,700 to £145,700 per year. The amount is variable depending on their experience, and does not exclude additional duty pay.
Wizz Air UK operates in the United Kingdom from its two London bases, Gatwick and Luton, so pilots are required to live in close proximity to both airports.
While no active hiring opportunities are out for Wizz Air UK pilots, the holding company is inviting expressions of interest from interested individuals through its careers page.
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