How to become a pilot in Luxembourg and get the opportunity to work for the only airline in the country? Learn about Luxair training programs, requirements for the pilots and, of course, pilot salaries.
The pilot is one of the most respected and prestigious professions in the world, and Luxembourg is no exception. There is only one airline in the country — Luxair. And those who dream of the pilot's seat, have a good opportunity to make the dream true with the help of the Luxair Pilot Cadet Program.
First, a few words about the company itself. Luxair is the flagship airline in Luxembourg, founded in 1961. And since then has offered services in four areas of activity.
Luxair's first flight was to Paris in 1962. Nowadays, the company regularly flies to most European capitals, the Middle East and North Africa. It is the only airline in the Grand Duchy that operates passenger air services.
The company's website regularly publishes information about vacancies, including current pilot vacancies.
Any citizen living in the EU or one of the countries of the European Free Trade Association can become a pilot, provided he or she meets the basic requirements. They can vary depending on the position, but the main are the following:
To become a pilot, you must undergo appropriate training and obtain a license. There are several levels of licenses.
It allows you to take the first steps in your career as a pilot. To obtain the license, you only need to be 16 years old and get a valid Class 2 aviation medical certificate. No previous flying experience is required.
This license allows you to fly alone, with passengers or cargo, but without monetary compensation. In order to obtain a PPL you must be at least 17 years old and complete 45 hours of training, including:
For executing commercial transportation, you need at least this license. It allows you to become a professional paid pilot. To obtain it, you must be at least 18 years old and complete a total of 150 hours of training:
The highest level of license with which you can work as a pilot in command (PIC) in scheduled air carriers. To obtain an ATPL, you must be at least 21 years old, have a CPL license, Multi-Engine Rating (MER), Instrument Rating (IR), and have at least 1500 hours of flight time:
Luxair airlines have been organising a special pilot training program for several years. It was first launched in 2019: out of 75 candidates, only 6 were chosen. Luxair looks for candidates who are always ready to learn, have a positive attitude, and are committed to service excellence.
The program includes literally everything: from classroom lessons and simulator training to real flights. It will give all the skills and knowledge needed for a fulfilling, long-term career with Luxair.
This year it was possible to apply for participation in the Luxair Pilot Cadet Program till 12/05/2024. The program starts at the beginning of 2025 and will last 18 months.
In addition, when submitting an application, you will have to fill out a short form and answer a few questions, for example:
You will also need to explain why you want to start a pilot career with Luxair and what you believe makes you an ideal candidate for the program. After answering the questions, you need to upload your complete application consisting of the following documents at minimum, to be accepted.
The salary of pilots at Luxair, as well as at many other airlines, depends on length of service, rank and experience. We have consulted the Salary Expert.
Position | Base net salary | Top net salary |
Second officer | 3,200 euros. After 8 months – 4,300 euros | 4,500 euros |
First officer | 5,100 euros | 6,400 euros |
Captain | 7,500 euros | After 20+ years – 19,500 euros |
One can expect to earn around 3,000-4,500 euros at the beginning of the career (after the courses). Practically, there is no salary ceiling in this profession, as you can work as a private plane captain and earn up to 20,000 euros a month.
Source: pilotjobsnetwork.com, en.moovijob.com, lu.linkedin.com, luxair.lu
We took photos from these sources: Avel Chuklanov, rocker sta on Unsplash