- British Airways is investing £18m to fund up to 160 places on the highly-competitive Speedbird Pilot Academy
- The funding will cover the £100,000 cost of pilot training over two years and guarantee successful candidates a flying role on completion
- The scheme removes costs, levels the playing field, and makes the prospect of becoming a commercial airline pilot realistic for all
British Airways’ fully-funded pilot training scheme has opened for applications for the fourth year running, with an £18m commitment by the airline for up to 160 aspiring pilots.
Tens of thousands of applicants are expected to apply for a place on the highly-competitive Speedbird Pilot Academy, which sees British Airways covering the £100,000 training cost for those who land a spot on the programme.
The scheme comes as new research reveals significant untapped interest in aviation careers, with almost one in four (24%) UK adults saying they would have considered becoming an airline pilot if training had been fully funded.
So far, almost 50 pilots have come through the Speedbird scheme, marking a significant commitment by the airline to ensure talented applicants from all backgrounds are able to follow their dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Despite this interest, awareness of fully-funded pilot training remains low, with 87% of UK adults saying they have never heard of programmes that cover the cost of pilot training – underlining the importance of initiatives like the Speedbird Pilot Academy.
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “The Speedbird Pilot Academy is an investment not just in British Airways, but in the future of UK aviation.
“We want the very best talent out there for our future generation of pilots; by removing the costs, we’re opening the opportunity up to more people and making a flying career more accessible to all.”
Applications to secure a place on the Speedbird Pilot Academy open today, Tuesday 14 April 2026 via the British Airways Careers website and will close on Thursday 23 April 2026. Those interested need to be between 17-58 years of age, and 18 years of age at the start of training.
Applicants also require six GCSEs grade A-C or 4-9, including Maths, English Language and a Science or equivalent qualifications, and hold a valid passport that permits unrestricted worldwide travel.
Previous years have seen in excess of 25,000 people apply for a place on the scheme. Successful applicants will train with one of British Airways’ approved training partners before moving towards a career on the flight deck.
Simon Cheadle, British Airways’ Director of Flight Operations, said: “We’re incredibly proud to open our doors once again to people who may never have believed a career as a pilot was within reach. The response to the Speedbird Pilot Academy in previous years has been extraordinary, and the calibre of applicants shows just how much talent is out there, talent that simply needs the opportunity.
“By launching the programme this year, we’re investing not only in individuals but in the long-term future of British Airways and UK aviation. This initiative strengthens our talent pipeline, supports the industry’s future leadership, and ensures we continue to attract the very best flying talent for years to come.”
Josh Bailey, British Airways Pilot and graduate of the Speedbird Pilot Academy, said: “Becoming a pilot always felt like a distant dream for someone like me. I didn’t go to university and the cost of training was completely out of reach, it was close to the value of the house I grew up in.
“The Speedbird Pilot Academy has changed my life. It’s given me an opportunity I never thought possible and opened the door to a career I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember.
“From standing at my bedroom window as a kid in Greater Manchester watching aircraft overhead, to now completing my A320 training with British Airways, it still doesn’t feel real.”
