Farnborough Airshow: British Airways invests £21m to train 200 pilots

British Airways (BA) has announced a £21 million investment to help 200 prospective pilots start flying for commercial airlines without the usual £100,000 cost of training.

The Speedbird Pilot Academy aims to attract the top flying talent while boosting social mobility and diversity within BA’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 after receiving applications from more than 20,000 candidates.

Funding was in place for an initial 100 slots 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 BA, which currently employs around 4,000 pilots.

BA made the announcement during an appearance at Farnborough International Airshow, where it’s exhibiting an A320neo aircraft complete with new interiors.

The aircraft flew into the show powered by more than 35 per cent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Sean Doyle, chairman and CEO of BA, 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.

Ryan served variously as a ramp loader, an aircraft dispatcher and a load controller before being selected for the Speedbird Pilot Academy.

“Applying for the 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,” he said.

“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 cadet from Hertfordshire, added: “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.”