Living overseas and flying for an international airline can be an attractive and rewarding opportunity for pilots.
Pilot executing pre-flight procedures in a commercial airliner cockpit before takeoff. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Many aspiring aviators have a childhood dream of flying through the skies for a major international carrier. Although some pilots achieve this goal by staying within their country, others choose to work for a foreign airline.
There is a certain allure and mystique about moving abroad to work as a pilot. Living and working internationally can be extremely rewarding and lucrative but can also come with unique obstacles and challenges.
When considering the option of flying for an international airline, pilots should take the time to do their research about the company that they want to work for and the respective country. Many overseas carriers post job postings open to foreign pilots on their English-language websites. Other pilot career websites also have job listings for expat pilots.
Airlines that hire pilots from abroad typically look for type-rated and/or direct entry pilots. This means that pilots will generally need to have a substantial amount of flight experience – either with an airline or through the military – to be hired by a foreign airline.
Companies that hire foreign pilots are most commonly found in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Although there are always exceptions, European and American carriers tend to hire from within their borders.
Etihad pilots with an A380 (Photo: Etihad Airways)
When a company hires pilots from abroad, they have to undertake additional administrative tasks such as processing immigration paperwork or covering licensing fees. As such, airlines typically only hire foreign pilots with substantial flying experience.
There is some variation between the exact requirements of each overseas airline and position, but typical qualifications include anywhere from 2,000 to 5,000 hours of flight time, a valid Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) from an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) member state, and a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate from an ICAO state.
English language proficiency (ICAO Level 4) is also generally required. For pilots who completed their flight training in the United States, Class 1 Medical Certificates and ATPLs issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) generally meet these requirements.
Some airlines will have additional qualifications for their pilot jobs, including a minimum number of pilot-in-command (PIC) hours or instrument flight time. There are also airlines that require pilots to have a type rating for a certain type of aircraft.
The first step in getting hired by an international airline is typically to submit an online application. The rest of the selection process depends on the airline, but stages are generally similar to those used by airlines in the United States.
There is typically at least one interview, a medical check, and a simulator assessment. Some airlines also have other types of assessments like written testing. Airlines often cover the travel and accommodation costs of foreign pilots traveling to complete the selection process.
International airlines typically require their foreign pilots to have a valid passport and the ability to travel (or obtain a visa) to any destination in their network. Newly hired foreign pilots will also have to obtain work authorizations for the country that they will be working in. Airlines will typically assist with this process, either by directly sponsoring the pilot or by providing supporting documentation, cost reimbursement, or advice and guidance.
Pilots may also need to convert their existing ATPL to the local equivalent. Again, airlines will typically support pilots in this process.
Pilots looking to fly for a foreign airline need to consider how such a career choice would impact their personal lives. Working for an international airline typically means moving abroad, and pilots need to reflect on their willingness to live overseas. Many countries that hire large amounts of foreign pilots are situated in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, where the culture, language, and lifestyle are very different from what pilots are used to in Western countries.
Different countries also have different laws surrounding taxation, rights, and working conditions. Although international airlines will often have very attractive salary packages for foreign pilots, the worker protections and benefits may differ greatly than those found in the United States or Europe.
Some overseas carriers – such as EVA Air in Taiwan and Emirates in the United Arab Emirates – also provide company housing for expat pilots. There are also some airlines that do not require their pilots to relocate and allow them to commute to and from work. This means that working for a foreign airline does not necessarily require moving overseas.
Salaries and pay scales vary between airlines, but foreign carriers typically offer attractive compensation packages to attract expat pilots. For example, Cathay Pacific offers approximately 897,000 Hong Kong Dollars ($115,000) annually to first officers with an additional 20,000 Hong Kong Dollars ($2,500) monthly allowance, while Emirates offers direct entry captains a base salary of around 481,200 United Arab Emirates Dirham ($132,000) – with no income tax in Dubai. Additional benefits offered by airlines can include travel benefits, pension contributions, and housing allowances.
Yes, there are many American pilots working abroad at international airlines.
There is no “best” airline for everyone, and each pilot should consider which airline would be the best fit for their individual situation. Factors include the airline’s home country, the proposed living situation, future opportunities for career progression, and the pilot’s family and personal situation.
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