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First Officer & Senior First Officer - Airbus

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Job details
Salary: Competitive plus excellent benefits
Fleet Type: Airbus
Contract: Permanent
Location: London Heathrow
In a nutshell
Now is an exciting moment to join Virgin Atlantic. We're reshaping the aviation industry with creativity and innovation, whilst constantly pushing boundaries in sustainability.
As the UK’s only exclusively long-haul airline, you’ll operate from Heathrow to some of the world’s most glamorous destinations, and when it comes to office views, our pilots have the best. Working on one of the most technologically advanced aircraft around, including our A330 Neo’s and Airbus A350-1000.
Day to day
When operating, you will demonstrate excellent aircraft handling ability. Extensive procedural and technical knowledge as well as strong leadership, and outstanding human factors. All of which will give you the passion and drive to be a future Commander here at Virgin Atlantic Airways.
As a high-performing and motivated professional pilot, you will give our customers an exceptional journey, delivering consistent operational excellence in the sky whilst maintaining our high safety standards. Leading our operation and taking pride in making values-based decisions in the air and on the ground.
About you
Our Pilot community is made up of diverse backgrounds, so respect and teamwork are fundamental. If you have a genuine passion for flying and for all aspects of aviation and want to play a key role in helping us to become the ‘Most Loved’ Travel Company, why not apply today?
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
To be suitable, you'll need:
- A minimum experience of 1500 hours (FO)/ 3000 hours (SFO) of flight time on a multi-pilot turbojet or a multi-pilot turbo-prop aeroplane, having a maximum take-off mass of not less than 10 tonnes or a certificated passenger seating configuration of more than 19 passengers
- Current and Qualified on the A320, A330, A340, A350 or A380
- Hold a current UK Class One Medical
- Unfrozen ATPL licence issued by the UK CAA, with a valid type rating when joining us
- The ability to demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English (certified as ICAO level 6 English Proficiency when applying)
- If applying from the military please ensure you have previous experience on a C17 Globemaster, A330 Voyager, Poseidon, A400M Atlas, RC-135, Wedgetail AEW or Envoy IV
What we offer
At Virgin Atlantic, we’re committed to the development and wellbeing of our pilots, providing competitive salaries, industry-leading training, secure contracts, and plenty of opportunities to develop your career to Senior First Officer and Captain.
The Virgin Atlantic rewards and benefits package reflects our inclusive culture and values and is designed to reward, support, and develop our people as they take on the world in their own way. As part of this commitment, we offer a range of core benefits beyond a competitive salary to everyone who joins.
You’ll also receive:
- Four types of contracts to consider that can support you throughout your pilot career
- Ten confirmed days off every 12 months, in addition to 35 days of annual leave
- Flexibility to swap duties with colleagues
- Nine different duty preferences, including early/late and specific regions of the world
- Ability to earn excellent extra working and disruption pay when volunteering for overtime
- Industry leading training and career opportunities
- Private Medical Scheme
- Life Insurance and Income Protection
- Loss of license cover, including injury and illness
- Generous contributory pension scheme (up to 15% company contribution)
- Industry-leading Staff Travel benefits
- Access to our employee assistance programme and Digital GP service
- Virgin Group Discounts
- A high-energy work environment that supports diversity, equity, and inclusion and several internal networks for support, guidance, and assistance in the workplace


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Be yourself – Our differences make us stronger
Our customers come from all walks of life and so do our colleagues. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. At Virgin Atlantic, we believe everyone can take on the world - no matter your age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We celebrate difference and everything that makes our colleagues unique by upholding an inclusive environment in which we can all thrive. So that everyone at Virgin Atlantic can be themselves and know they belong.
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