Whereas this gained’t influence passengers in any method, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic are launching an fascinating pilot change program…
Some EasyJet pilots are headed to Virgin Atlantic
EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic have partnered in a pilot change program, which is able to see some EasyJet pilots be a part of Virgin Atlantic to expertise a protracted haul, vast physique flying secondment. As of November 2024, 20 pilots from European extremely low value service EasyJet will work at Virgin Atlantic for a interval of three years, the place they’re anticipated to rack up round 1,500 flying hours.
The Airbus A320 first officers at EasyJet will likely be flying as first officers on Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A350 fleet. On the finish of the three 12 months interval, they’ll return to EasyJet, the place they’ll proceed their careers.
Because it’s described, this may present EasyJet pilots with the chance to expertise the operations of a large physique jet and additional their flight deck expertise, whereas Virgin Atlantic will profit from skilled brief haul EasyJet pilots becoming a member of the crew.
Right here’s how Bart Prudon, Director of Flight Operations at EasyJet, describes this association:
“At easyJet we delight ourselves on the calibre of our pilots, our industry-leading coaching and dedication to profession improvement and so we’re delighted to have partnered with Virgin Atlantic to additional improve the alternatives flying with easyJet can supply. Working a special plane kind is a implausible expertise for any pilot and this partnership is not going to solely supply international long-haul flying with the added safety of returning to easyJet to proceed a implausible profession flying trendy plane throughout Europe, we all know that our highly-skilled pilots will add nice worth to the Virgin Atlantic crew.”
In the meantime right here’s what Robbert Strating, VP of Flight Operations at Virgin Atlantic, needed to say:
“Our pilots play a significant position flying our prospects, safely and on time. The introduction of our pilot placement programme with easyJet will welcome skilled easyJet pilots immediately into the Virgin Atlantic household, giving them the chance to fly our state-of-the-art, subsequent technology vast physique Airbus plane, travelling to some wonderful long-haul locations together with Los Angeles, India, and South Africa.
“In the meantime, easyJet’s intensive basing community will permit us to draw pilots from throughout Europe, reaching new audiences. With our function to encourage everybody to tackle the world, we’re happy to play a pivotal position growing their flying careers and enhancing the abilities of the following technology of pilots and supporting UK aviation.”
I’m curious what the motive is for this association
EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic don’t in any other case have a lot cooperation, so it’s fascinating to see an settlement like this. What a cool alternative for EasyJet pilots to fly a large physique jet on lengthy haul routes, alongside the usual Virgin Atlantic crew.
I can’t assist however be curious concerning the motivation for this settlement, although, because it’s not clearly acknowledged. Previously we’ve generally seen conditions the place airways that accomplice with each other swap pilots, in circumstances the place one airline has a surplus of pilots, and the opposite has a scarcity.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t look like that’s what’s happening right here?
- EasyJet highlights the way it’s recruiting pilots, and the airline is rising, with a whole lot of plane on order; the airline additionally spends some huge cash and places plenty of effort into pilot coaching, so presumably desires these pilots flying for EasyJet, and never for different carriers
- Does Virgin Atlantic have a pilot scarcity, and the airline is making an attempt to unravel that with this association? Nothing towards EasyJet, however you’d suppose that there can be plenty of EasyJet pilots who would gladly take a everlasting job at Virgin Atlantic
- What’s the precise monetary association right here? Are EasyJet pilots getting their customary EasyJet pay, and EasyJet is getting a finder’s charge for providing pilots on a less expensive contract, or one thing else?
Backside line
Some EasyJet pilots will likely be heading to Virgin Atlantic for a interval of three years, the place they’ll go from flying brief haul A320 flights round Europe, to working lengthy haul A350 flights across the globe. Preparations like this are uncommon, particularly between airways that don’t in any other case accomplice, so I’m curious what’s actually happening right here.
What do you make of EasyJet sending a few of its pilots to Virgin Atlantic?
