The Ultimate Global Guide to Cadet Pilot Programs (2026 Edition): Your Path to the Flight Deck Starts Here
- Hong Kong Professional Airline Pilots Association HKPAPA
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Dreaming of an office above the clouds? Becoming an airline pilot is a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey. For many aspiring aviators, a Cadet Pilot Program is the most direct and structured route to the flight deck.
This guide is your one-stop resource for cadet programs around the world. We've compiled a comprehensive list of both airline-sponsored (where training costs are largely covered by the airline, often with a bonding agreement) and self-sponsored/mentored programs (where you fund the training, but it's tailored to a specific airline's standards with a conditional job offer).
Important Note: Pilot recruitment is highly dynamic. Programs open and close based on airline needs. The information below is a starting point. Always visit the official career pages linked for the most current requirements and application windows.
What is a Cadet Pilot Program?
Unlike traditional flight training where you get your licenses independently and then apply for jobs, a cadet program is an airline-specific training pathway. You are selected by an airline before or at the very beginning of your training. The curriculum is designed to mould you into their future First Officer from day one, focusing on their specific operating procedures and culture.
Key Benefits:
Structured Path: A clear, defined route from zero flying experience to the right-hand seat of a commercial airliner.
High Standards: Training is conducted at top-tier flight academies with rigorous oversight from the partner airline.
Career Certainty: Most programs offer a conditional offer of employment upon successful completion.
Mentorship: Access to experienced airline pilots and a supportive cohort of fellow cadets.
GLOBAL CADET PROGRAMS BY REGION
🇪🇺 EUROPE
1. British Airways (UK)
Program: Speedbird Pilot Academy
Type: Fully Sponsored
Overview: A highly competitive program where British Airways covers the full cost of your integrated flight training. It's designed to remove the financial barrier to entry.
Key Requirements: Right to live and work in the UK, specific height requirements (1.57m - 1.90m), minimum educational qualifications (GCSEs/A-Levels or equivalent), UK CAA Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: British Airways Careers
2. Lufthansa Group (Germany/Europe)
Program: European Flight Academy (EFA)
Type: Self-Sponsored / Mentored Pathway
Overview: EFA is the flight school of the Lufthansa Group. While students generally fund their training, graduates are highly sought after by Lufthansa Group airlines (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings) and meet their exacting standards.
Key Requirements: EU/EFTA citizenship or unrestricted residence/work permit for Germany/Switzerland, fluency in German and English, EASA Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: European Flight Academy
3. EasyJet (UK/Europe)
Program: Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme
Type: Self-Sponsored (Mentored MPL)
Overview: Delivered in partnership with CAE, this is a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) program tailored specifically for easyJet operations. You are selected and mentored by easyJet from the start, with a conditional job offer.
Key Requirements: Right to live and work in the UK, EEA, EU or Switzerland; aged 18+; minimum high school education in Math/English/Science; EASA or UK Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: CAE Generation easyJet
4. Ryanair (UK/Europe)
Program: Ryanair Future Flyer Academy
Type: Self-Sponsored (Mentored)
Overview: In partnership with flight schools like Bartolini Air, this program offers integrated training tailored to Ryanair's SOPs. Successful candidates receive a conditional job offer prior to starting training.
Key Requirements: EU or UK citizen/right to work, aged 18+, EASA Class 1 Medical, specific educational background.
Details & Apply: Ryanair Careers / Partner Schools
5. Wizz Air (Europe)
Program: Wizz Air Pilot Academy
Type: Partially Sponsored / Bonded
Overview: Aimed at individuals with little to no flying experience. It requires an initial upfront fee from the cadet, with the remaining significant training costs pre-financed by Wizz Air, which is then repaid through a bonding agreement after employment.
Key Requirements: Unrestricted right to live and work in the EU or countries with a Wizz Air base, aged 18+, high school degree, EASA Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: Wizz Air Pilot Academy
6. Air France (France)
Program: Air France Cadet Pilot Programme
Type: Fully Sponsored
Overview: A prestigious program where Air France covers 100% of the training costs. It is highly selective and trains pilots to join Air France or its subsidiary Transavia as First Officers.
Key Requirements: Fluency in French is mandatory. Must be a national of an European Economic Area (EEA) member state or Switzerland. Specific age and education requirements apply (often a master's degree or scientific preparatory classes). Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: Air France Corporate Careers
🇸🇬🇭🇰🇦🇺 ASIA-PACIFIC
1. Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong)
Program: Cadet Pilot Programme
Type: Sponsored
Overview: An ~80-week program taking you from zero experience to a Commercial Pilot License. Ground school is in Hong Kong, with flight training at world-renowned schools overseas (e.g., USA, Australia).
Key Requirements: Right to live and work in Hong Kong or Mainland China. Secondary school graduation with good passes in Math, Science, and English. Specific English language proficiency scores (IELTS/TOEIC/TOEFL). HKCAD Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: Cathay Pacific Careers
2. Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
Program: Ab Initio Cadet Pilot Program
Type: Sponsored / Bonded
Overview: A world-class, intensive training program conducted in Singapore and overseas. Successful cadets are employed by Singapore Airlines.
Key Requirements: Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident preferred. Minimum GCE 'A' Level, Polytechnic Diploma, or Degree. Specific height (min 1.62m) and visual acuity standards. CAAS Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: Singapore Airlines Careers
3. Scoot (Singapore)
Program: Scoot Cadet Pilot Programme
Type: Self-Sponsored / Co-funded (Bonded)
Overview: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, runs its own cadet program in partnership with the Singapore Flying College (SFC). The training usually results in a Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL). While trainees bear a significant portion of the cost (often described as "co-funded"), successful graduates transition directly into Scoot as Second Officers.
Key Requirements: Minimum age 18. Minimum GCE 'O' Level (5 credits including English, Math, and a Science subject). Must be eligible for a CAAS Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: FlyScoot Careers (Watch for "Cadet Pilot" openings).
4. Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA)
Program: Cadet Pilot Programme
Type: Self-Sponsored (with Airline Partnerships)
Overview: A 14-month integrated training course designed to nurture local pilots. Unlike airline-specific programs, you are trained by the Academy and then funneled into interviews with their partners.
Phase 1 (6 Months): Ground school theory in Hong Kong at HKIAA.
Phase 2 (8-10 Months): Flight training overseas at IASCO (California, USA) or CAFUC (Chengdu, China).
Phase 3 (2 Weeks): Return to Hong Kong for a Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) course.
Airline Partners: Graduates are granted preliminary interviews or conditional job offers with HK Express, Hong Kong Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines, and Hong Kong Air Cargo.
Recent Success: In late 2025, HK Express hired the first batch of 11 graduates directly as Second Officers.
Key Requirements:
Hong Kong Permanent Resident or unrestricted right to live and work in HK.
Aged 18 or above.
Secondary school graduate with passes in English and Mathematics (Physics is highly desirable).
HKCAD Class 1 Medical Certificate.
Details & Apply: HKIAA Cadet Pilot Programme
5. Philippine Airlines (Philippines)
Program: PAL Aviation School (Ab Initio Cadet Program)
Type: Self-Sponsored
Overview: Operating since the 1960s, the PAL Aviation School (PAS) recently revitalized its program in partnership with Airways Aviation (Australia). Cadets complete ground school in Manila and flight training in Australia. This is a "zero to hero" course. While it is self-funded (costs can range upwards of PHP 4-5 Million), top graduates are the primary pool for Philippine Airlines' First Officer recruitment.
Key Requirements: Must be a Filipino Citizen. Bachelor’s Degree holder (any field). Proficient in English. Physically and mentally fit (Class 1 Medical).
Details & Apply: PAL Aviation School
6. Qantas Group (Australia)
Program: Qantas Group Pilot Academy
Type: Self-Sponsored
Overview: Located in Toowoomba, Queensland, the academy trains pilots for the broader industry, but high-performing graduates enter a talent pool for Qantas Group airlines (Qantas, Jetstar, QantasLink).
Key Requirements: Australian citizen or permanent resident, aged 18+, completion of Year 12 with passes in English and Math, CASA Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: Qantas Group Pilot Academy
7. IndiGo (India)
Program: Cadet Pilot Program
Type: Self-Sponsored (Mentored)
Overview: IndiGo partners with several top flight academies globally (e.g., Skyborne, CAE, L3Harris, FTA) to deliver a mentored program. Cadets graduate with an Indian DGCA Commercial Pilot License and an A320 Type Rating, with a clear path to joining IndiGo.
Key Requirements: Indian National or OCI holder. 10+2 with Physics, Math, and English. DGCA Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: IndiGo Careers - Pilots (Look for cadet program links within)
🇦🇪 MIDDLE EAST
1. Emirates (UAE)
Program: Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA)
Type: Self-Sponsored (for international) / Sponsored (for UAE Nationals)
Overview: A state-of-the-art academy in Dubai offering an integrated ATPL program. While primarily built for UAE nationals, it also accepts international candidates as self-sponsored cadets. It does not guarantee a job with Emirates for international cadets but provides top-tier training aimed at airline careers.
Key Requirements: Open to international applicants. High school or university graduate tracks with specific grade requirements in Math/Physics/English. Minimum height (160cm) and BMI requirements. GCAA Class 1 Medical.
Details & Apply: Emirates Flight Training Academy
2. Air Arabia (UAE)
Program: Cadet Pilot Program (with Alpha Aviation Academy)
Type: Self-Sponsored (Mentored MPL)
Overview: An MPL program open to all nationalities. It's a partnership where cadets are trained specifically for Air Arabia operations and receive a conditional job offer.
Key Requirements: Open to all nationalities, aged 17-35, high school diploma or equivalent, medically fit for GCAA Class 1.
Details & Apply: Alpha Aviation Academy
General Requirements Checklist
While every program has unique criteria, almost all will require the following basics:
Medical: The ability to obtain and hold a Class 1 Aviation Medical Certificate from the relevant authority (e.g., EASA, UK CAA, FAA, CASA). This is non-negotiable.
Education: High school completion with strong grades in Mathematics, Physics, and English is the standard minimum. Some programs prefer or require university degrees.
Language: Fluency in English (the international language of aviation) is mandatory. Non-native speakers will need to provide proof of proficiency (e.g., IELTS, ICAO Level 4+).
Age: Most programs require you to be at least 18 to start training. Upper age limits vary significantly.
Right to Work: You almost always need the unrestricted legal right to live and work in the country or region where the airline is based.
Final Advice: Your Journey Begins Now
This list is your launchpad. Your next step is to research the programs that fit your eligibility and career goals. Read the FAQs on their websites, visit forums like PPRuNe for current cadet experiences, and prepare diligently for the rigorous selection processes, which often include aptitude testing, group exercises, and competency-based interviews.
Good luck! The view from up front is worth it.