New £21 Million Fund from British Airways to put 200 Aspiring Pilots from all Backgrounds through Training

• British Airways will fully-fund up to 200 places on its coveted Speedbird Pilot Academy recruitment programme for 2025
• The money provides real opportunity for people who have been put off from applying to become a commercial airline pilot because of the £100k cost of training
• British Airways made the announcement at Farnborough International Airshow and is the only airline to offer a fully-funded course at such a significant scale

​Tuesday 23 July 2024 – British Airways has proudly announced a £21 million investment to give up to 200 prospective airline pilots the chance to follow their dream of flying for a commercial airline without the worry of self-funding the £100,000 cost of training, opening the door to being a commercial airline pilot to more people than ever before.
 
The Speedbird Pilot Academy aims to attract the very best talent for the future generation of pilots while boosting social mobility and diversity within the airline’s pilot community. The airline works with community groups to help encourage applicants from people who may have previously been put off from applying due to cost.
 
Launched last year and open to applicants annually, the Academy is already training 100 future British Airways pilots who managed to beat off competition from more than 20,000 candidates to have the cost of their tuition paid for by the airline. Funding was in place for an initial 100 places on the 2025 programme, which has now been increased to 200.
 
It takes two years to complete training and become a qualified First Officer with the airline. British Airways currently employs around 4,000 pilots.
 
British Airways made the announcement during the airline’s appearance at Farnborough International Airshow, where it is exhibiting a brand new A320neo aircraft complete with new interiors. The aircraft flew into the show powered by more than 35 per cent Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
 
Sean Doyle, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the Speedbird Pilot Academy and the opportunity it provides to those talented individuals who have held a lifetime ambition of becoming a commercial airline pilot, but have perhaps found it difficult to independently fund their training. The standard of applicants we see for this programme are consistently high so as part of our commitment to attracting the very best candidates from right across society, we’ve increased the 2025 cohort to give as many people as possible the chance of realising their dream.”
 
Ryan Street, a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet from Stockport had dreamed of a career in aviation since he was a young boy. He joined the air cadets at the age of 12, where he rose to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, before beginning work at Manchester Airport for a ground handling company. He held various roles including a ramp loader, an aircraft dispatcher and a load controller before being selected for the Speedbird Pilot Academy.
 
Ryan said: “Applying for the Speedbird Pilot Academy and being selected for such a highly-competitive opportunity was a dream come true, knowing that I would finally be able to achieve the career I had always wanted. Without the assistance British Airways provided with this cadetship, I might not have ever been able to afford the current training costs, so I am thankful to them that they are able to provide this wonderful opportunity for those that might never have been able to get this far.” 
 
Melanie Odden, also a Speedbird Pilot Academy cadet from Hertfordshire, said: “I have been fascinated by aviation since I was young and becoming a pilot has been a lifelong dream of mine, with the aspiration to one day become a training captain.  Unfortunately, there have been barriers preventing me from reaching these goals. I started in a different career path and have a young family, with my little one now being three years old."
 
“When British Airways announced that they would be providing funded spaces for students on their Speedbird Academy I had to apply. I never thought I would become one of the lucky few. I am now three months into my training and it still doesn’t quite feel real. It is hard work, and trying to juggle family life with study can be difficult, but I know it will be worth it and I am so grateful that British Airways is giving people a chance to realise their dreams without financial barriers.”

British Airways cabin crew standing with the airline's latest Airbus A230NEO's [G-TTNY] tailfin in the background: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

The announcement comes as British Airways made a strong appearance at this year's Farnborough Airshow by not only having one of their brand new Airbus A320NEO aircraft [G-TTNY] on static display but also an Airbus A350 aircraft simulator at their stand. The A320NEO aircraft features the airline's new short-haul seats and cabin interiors, as shown below. On the opening day of the Airshow, the new transport secretary Louise Haigh paid a visit to the aircraft after addressing aviation leaders about her plans to “helping aviation grow sustainably in the UK”. Also, earlier on the opening day, the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, made key remarks, announcing the launch of Skills England.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer giving a speech on the opening day of the Farnborough Airshow 2024.

Cabin of the British Airways A320NEO [G-TTNY] at Farnborough Airshow 2024 with the new interiors: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport of the United Kingdom in discussion with Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, at the Farnborough Airshow 2024: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

Louise Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport of the United Kingdom in discussion with Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways, at the Farnborough Airshow 2024, with the British Airways A320NEO [G-TTNY] in the background: Photo Copyright Navjot Singh