Austrian spirit from day one

Future Pilots Austrian Programme

The “Future Pilots Austrian” programme

Your path to the Austrian Airlines cockpit

From the outside, cockpits may look the same. But every airline has its own character.

Austrian Airlines, Austria’s national airline based in Vienna, stands for international connectivity, a modern fleet and an environment that combines professionalism with warmth.

The Austrian Airlines spirit is shaped by strong team spirit, a clear focus on service and an open, international sense of togetherness. From the first virtual “Servus” and personal welcome moments to real encounters, it is about feeling welcome, getting involved and becoming part of the team. Because at Austrian, people are at the heart of everything.

With the Future Pilots Austrian programme, you can immerse yourself in this culture during your pilot training.

Austrian Airlines sees Future Pilots Austrian as more than just a programme for future pilots. Participants become part of the Austrian family at an early stage. Building on this special connection, the airline supports its future pilots during their training with exclusive insights, personal mentoring and a comprehensive package for training and career entry.

In this way, Austrian creates early prospects, trust and a prioritised opportunity for a fast start in the cockpit after obtaining your licence. Another key advantage: after successfully completing your training, no additional selection steps are required - paving the way for direct entry into the cockpit at Austrian Airlines.

How it works

How do I join the Future Pilots Austrian programme?

The path into the programme:

  1. When applying via LHG Careers, select the Future Pilots Austrian programme. You will then be assigned a personal contact at Austrian Airlines directly.

  2. After completing the EFA application stages, you go through the Pre-Airline Fit with Austrian Airlines before your training begins. This includes the two-day PIT screening in Vienna and the two-day final selection at DLR in Hamburg. The flight costs to Hamburg are covered by Austrian Airlines. The company medical is also carried out together with the EASA Medical Class 1 at Austrian Airlines in Vienna.

  3. Perfect match? If you are a good personal and professional fit for Austrian, you will start directly in the programme.

Around 25 sponsored places are available each year. Participants start their training in Germany as part of the regular EFA courses.

Your steps to the Future Pilots Austrian programme:

The simulator test in Vienna (PIT) and the additional selection process at DLR in Hamburg are important steps on your path into the Future Pilots Austrian programme. They give both you and Austrian Airlines the opportunity to get to know each other in depth and find out before the start of training whether you are a good professional and personal fit.

This creates a strong mutual commitment from the very beginning — and the confidence that you are taking the right path together. Austrian Airlines will cover the costs of your travel to Hamburg.

prev
next

Certificate by the Deutsches Luft- und Raumfahrtzentrum (DLR, German Aerospace Center)

external (Hamburg, Milan or Zurich)

EFA application

LHG assessment

Hamburg or Zurich

PIT

Simulator test,
Vienna

AUA assessment

DLR, Hamburg

Airline
Medical

Vienna (at AUA)

ATPL Training

AUA type rating

The benefits

What does the Future Pilots Austrian programme include?

Pre-Airline Fit before the start of training

  • Early prospects and a high level of security regarding your future entry at Austrian Airlines

  • Travel costs covered for flights operated by Austrian Airlines for your journey to the PIT screening and final selection

Prioritised employment opportunity after obtaining your licence

  • Your application will receive preferential consideration at Austrian Airlines

  • No further application steps are required after completing your training

Default guarantee during training

Personal mentoring by Austrian Airlines pilots

  • Personal support from experienced Austrian Airlines pilots - with visits to the training locations, practical insights into everyday cockpit life, regular updates and direct exchange throughout your entire training.

Early insight into the culture and ways of working

  • Austrian spirit from day one

Oportunities across the entire Lufthansa Group

  • Open career path to all Group airlines despite the Austrian Airlines focus

 

*Requirements: DLR certificate - this step must be organised by you independently / university entrance qualification / unrestricted EU passport / very good written and spoken German skills, level B2 / neither a negative PIT nor a negative FQ result, and no failed Lufthansa Group Assessment.

Requirements for starting at Austrian Airlines after participating in the Future Pilots Austrian programme

What defines Austrian Airlines as an employer

Austrian Airlines offers a working environment shaped by appreciation, internationality and a genuine sense of community. A career at Austrian stands for flexibility, personal development and a supportive team that works together to create unforgettable experiences.

A warm, collegial corporate culture

  • Warmth, team spirit and service orientation are at the heart of everything — both when interacting with customers and with one another.

Attractive route network

  • Route network across both short- and long-haul operations with attractive career prospects

Modern fleet

  • State-of-the-art and innovative aircraft types such as the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

Attractive living and travel opportunities

  • Discounted employee tickets worldwide, either standby or confirmed booking

  • Discounts on hotels and rental cars

  • Vienna as your home base, a highly liveable city

Extensive training and development opportunities

  • Zugang zu Austrian Aviation Campus, Lufthansa Business School und LinkedIn Learning

  • internationale Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten in der gesamten Lufthansa Group

Health & lifestyle

  • Medical services at the Vienna location

  • Sports clubs and fitness offers

  • Discounted meals in the staff restaurant

Contact

We are here for you

Pia Jappel

Pilotrecruitment Austrian Airlines