airBaltic (BT) is the flag carrier of Latvia and one of the leading airlines in the Baltic region. Headquartered in Riga, the airline connects Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania with destinations across Europe and further afield, including the Middle East and North Africa. The carrier has continued expanding its network while maintaining a highly standardised fleet built around the Airbus A220-300.
airBaltic Pilot Salary in 2026
For pilots, airBaltic offers the opportunity to fly one of Europe’s youngest and most modern fleets while choosing between several roster arrangements. A new pilot offer introduced from January 2026 provides improved salary structures, predictable progression and greater flexibility, including a commuting roster that allows pilots to work for airBaltic without relocating to one of its main bases.
airBaltic First Officer Salary
The 2026 airBaltic salary structure gives first officers a guaranteed annual base salary starting at approximately €72,420 (around USD 84,000) on the commuting roster. With planned productivity payments included, the average annual compensation can reach approximately €88,470 (around USD 103,000). Senior first officers on the base rosters can have an annual base salary of approximately €85,200 (around USD 99,000), with planned productivity taking total annual compensation to roughly €95,000–€105,000 (around USD 110,000–122,000).
The exact amount depends on the pilot’s seniority, roster arrangement and productivity. airBaltic also offers a fast-track command route for suitably experienced senior first officers, with qualified pilots able to progress towards captain within around 12 months. The airline’s 2026 package is therefore designed to combine a guaranteed salary with additional productivity-based earnings and a clear progression path.
airBaltic Captain Salary
An airBaltic captain joining on one of the base rosters can receive a guaranteed annual base salary ranging from approximately €113,400 to €125,400 (around USD 132,000–145,000), depending on previous experience and salary level. With planned productivity included, annual compensation can reach approximately €125,000–€153,680 (around USD 145,000–178,000).
Captains have a ten-level salary progression system, with guaranteed advancement after each year in the role. Direct-entry captains choosing the commuting roster have a guaranteed base salary of approximately €96,390–€106,590 (around USD 112,000–124,000), with planned productivity of up to approximately €130,800 (around USD 152,000) per year. The structure therefore allows experienced captains to enter at a level reflecting their previous professional experience rather than necessarily starting at the first salary level.
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Benefits Enjoyed by airBaltic Pilots
airBaltic pilots enjoy industry-leading benefits, which include the following.
- Competitive Salary – airBaltic introduced an improved pilot compensation structure from January 2026, with predictable salary progression and productivity payments on top of guaranteed base pay.
- Flexible Rosters – Pilots can choose between commuting, flexible and fixed roster arrangements. The commuting option follows a 13-days-on and 10-days-off pattern, while the fixed roster follows a five-days-on and three-days-off pattern.
- Commuting Opportunity – The commuting roster allows pilots to operate the A220-300 without relocating to one of airBaltic’s home bases, making the airline more accessible to pilots living elsewhere in Europe.
- Travel Benefits – Pilots receive unlimited home-leave tickets across the airBaltic route network, providing useful travel privileges as part of the employment package.
- Health Insurance – Health insurance and wellbeing benefits are provided after the three-month probation period, while accident insurance is available from the first day of employment.
- Loss Of Licence Insurance – Pilots become eligible for loss-of-licence insurance after one year of employment, providing additional financial protection if medical circumstances affect their ability to fly.
- Type Rating – airBaltic covers the cost of the required A220-300 type rating for qualifying pilots, although a three-year training bond applies to relevant pilot categories.
- Paid Leave – Pilots receive 28 calendar days of paid annual vacation, alongside roster arrangements designed to provide regular periods away from flying duties.
- Career Progression – Senior first officers can follow a fast-track command route, while captains have ten salary levels with guaranteed annual progression.
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What Aircraft Do airBaltic Pilots Fly?
airBaltic operates a single-type fleet consisting entirely of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The airline currently operates 54 A220-300s, making the aircraft the sole type available to its pilots.
The fleet has expanded considerably as the airline continues working towards its longer-term goal of operating 100 A220-300 aircraft.
airBaltic also has approximately 36 additional Airbus A220-300 aircraft on order as part of its plan to reach a fleet of around 100 aircraft by 2030. This continued fleet growth is expected to create further opportunities for pilots as the airline expands its network and flight operations.
Requirements To Become A Pilot for airBaltic
airBaltic’s first officers are expected to meet the following criteria.
- Hold the appropriate EASA or ICAO-compliant commercial pilot licence and qualifications required for airline operations.
- Hold a valid EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate.
- Meet the required English-language standard, with ICAO English Level 4 or higher expected for pilot positions.
- Meet airBaltic’s applicable flight-experience requirements for the position being applied for.
- Hold the necessary instrument and multi-engine qualifications required for commercial airline operations.
- Meet the airline’s training, competency and assessment standards.
- Be eligible to work within the applicable European aviation and employment framework.
- Successfully complete airBaltic’s selection, simulator and training requirements.
Captains need to fulfil the requirements below.
- Hold a valid EU ATPL.
- Hold a valid EASA Class 1 Medical Certificate.
- Have ICAO English Level 4 or higher.
- Have at least 4,000 total flight hours.
- Have at least 2,000 hours on multi-pilot or multi-engine turbine aircraft in the CS-25 category.
- Have at least 1,000 hours of command experience on a CS-25 aircraft.
- Maintain a clean criminal record.
- Demonstrate strong leadership, safety awareness, responsibility and professional standards.
Hiring Process for airBaltic Pilots
airBaltic’s hiring process for pilots consists of the following steps.
- Online Application – Candidates submit their application and supporting documents through the airBaltic careers platform, selecting the appropriate first officer, senior first officer or captain position.
- Initial Screening – The recruitment team reviews the candidate’s licences, medical certification, flying experience, employment history and eligibility against the requirements of the selected position.
- Aptitude Assessment – Shortlisted candidates may complete aptitude and psychometric assessments covering areas such as numerical reasoning, cognitive ability, situational judgement and personality.
- Technical Assessment – Candidates are assessed on their aviation knowledge, operating procedures, technical understanding and other competencies expected from an airline pilot.
- Interview – The airline evaluates the candidate’s communication, teamwork, decision-making, professional experience and suitability for airBaltic’s operating environment.
- Simulator Assessment – Candidates who progress further complete simulator-based assessments designed to evaluate aircraft handling, procedures, workload management, situational awareness and crew resource management.
- Final Checks and Offer – airBaltic completes the required employment, licence and qualification checks before making an offer. Successful pilots then complete the necessary training, type-rating or company induction before beginning line operations.
Bottom Line
airBaltic offers a competitive pilot salary structure in 2026, with compensation combining guaranteed annual base pay and productivity-related earnings. First officers can receive a guaranteed base salary starting at approximately €72,420 (around USD 84,000) on the commuting roster, with planned productivity taking average annual compensation to about €88,470. Senior first officers can earn around €95,000–€105,000 including planned productivity.
Captains receive considerably higher compensation, with base-roster guaranteed salaries ranging from approximately €113,400 to €125,400 and planned total compensation reaching roughly €153,680 at the upper end. The airline’s ten-level progression system, flexible roster choices and fast-track command opportunities add to the long-term appeal of an airBaltic pilot career.
With 54 Airbus A220-300 aircraft currently in its fleet and a plan to reach 100 aircraft by 2030, airBaltic also provides pilots with a straightforward fleet pathway. Every pilot operates the same aircraft type, while continued fleet growth should support further recruitment and career opportunities.
FAQs
airBaltic first officers can receive a guaranteed base salary from approximately €72,420 per year, with planned productivity bringing average annual compensation to around €88,470 on the commuting roster. Captains can receive guaranteed base salaries of up to approximately €125,400 on the base rosters, with planned productivity taking annual compensation to around €153,680.
airBaltic operates an all-Airbus fleet consisting of 54 Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The airline has also planned further A220-300 deliveries as it works towards a fleet of approximately 100 aircraft by 2030.
Qualified senior first officers can follow a fast-track command pathway, with airBaltic stating that senior first officers can progress to command within approximately 12 months. The exact progression depends on the pilot’s qualifications, experience, performance and completion of the required command training.
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