How many hours do pilots work UK?

In the UK and USA, both long-haul and short-haul pilots are allowed to fly a maximum of 100 hours in 28 days. This figure is 100 flight hours. Here are the legal requirements for duty hours straight from CAP 371 itself: 95 hours in any 14 consecutive days, vs 110 duty hours in any 14 consecutive days in America.



In the UK, pilot work hours are strictly governed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to prevent fatigue. As of 2026, the Flying Time Limitations (FTL) generally restrict pilots to a maximum of 900 flying hours in a calendar year and no more than 100 flying hours in any 28 consecutive days. Beyond actual time in the air, "Duty Period"—which includes pre-flight briefings, ground duties, and post-flight admin—is also capped. A single flight duty period typically ranges from 9 to 13 hours, depending on the start time and the number of flight sectors (landings) performed. Pilots must also be provided with mandatory rest periods, usually at least as long as the preceding duty period or 12 hours, whichever is greater. These complex regulations ensure that flight crews remain mentally sharp during critical phases of flight, with even stricter limits applied to night duties or trans-Atlantic "long-haul" operations.

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The most relevant here is “No pilot of an airplane that has a crew of three pilots may be on duty for more than 18 hours in any 24 consecutive hours.” Additionally, three-pilot crews are limited to 12 hours in the air in a 24-hour period, while four-pilot crews are limited to 16 hours in the air in a 24-hour period.

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The average pilot spends 225 hours per month between flight time and ground duties, however, they are afforded anywhere from 12 to 20 days off per month depending on seniority.

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Starting salaries are usually around the £45,000 mark. This increases quickly, though. Depending on the airline, some pilots can become a captain in as little as five years and then make well over £100,000 a year. Senior long-haul captains can make as much as £200,000 a year when including flight pay.

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Is 6 2 too tall to be a pilot? There are no specific height restrictions for pilots under FAA rules. Flight schools and commercial airlines accept pilots for training as long as they are physically able to reach the controls and obtain a full rudder deflection in the aircraft they will operate.

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Salary is based on the size of the jet flown as well as their years of service and a charter pilot's salary can rage anywhere from $60k-$200k. Unlike a regional pilot, a charter pilot has a widely varying schedule since they are often “on-call”.

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In this article, we will show you the highest salaries that pilots receive around the world, and we will answer questions related to pilots ' wages.
  • 1- Qatar – Average monthly salary of $18,333.
  • 2- UAE – Monthly average salary of $16,666.
  • 3- Netherlands – Average monthly salary $20416.


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Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Singapore Airlines are commercial airlines that pay the highest pilot salaries.

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FAQ » Careers, General FAQs » Do pilots fly for free? The short answer is yes – the majority of airlines offer free flights as an employee benefit for pilots and often for their immediate family members.

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The airline handles and pays for accommodations for crewmembers when they are on a trip. Many pilots do not live where they are based and choose to commute. Generally, if pilots need to travel and stay away from home when they are not on a trip, they are responsible for their own accommodations.

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Not to mention exposure to radiation, pressure changes, high levels of stress, and sitting for hours at a time. These factors can speed up the aging process for many pilots and research suggests they often die younger than the average population, particularly after retirement.

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Airline pilots can be home every night or could be away from their families for weeks at a time. It depends of the company they work for or the aircraft or routes they fly. Most quality of life issues that affect how much time a pilot can spent with his family is determined by a seniority based system.

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Ideally, becoming a pilot should only take 3 to 4 years, the time it takes to get your Bachelor of Science in Professional Flight. Getting an education is also good for a consistency of training, so it's preferred to wait to start your journey until you are in a certified school, like LETU.

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the median U.S. pilot salary at $211,790 in 2022. This means 50% of pilots earn more than this, and 50% earn less. However, there are pilots working for major airlines making more than $700,000 per year.

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How Much Is An Airline Pilot's Salary? The bottom 25% earn up to $121,000 a year. The middle 50% earn between $121,000 and $298,000 annually. The top 25% earn between $298,000 and $768,000 annually.

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How much does a Pilot make at UPS in the United States? Average UPS Pilot yearly pay in the United States is approximately $275,666, which is 304% above the national average.

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The estimated total pay for a Airline Pilot at Delta Air Lines is $172,083 per year. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $115,617 per year.

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There are short and tall professional pilots who might need aircraft modifications to ensure they can reach and operate the controls safely. While there are BMI guidelines that are considered part of your general health, there is no specific minimum or maximum weight required to become a pilot.

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The answer is YES – you can wear glasses and be an airline pilot! Perfect uncorrected vision is not a requirement to be a pilot or an air traffic controller. Glasses, contact lenses and refractive surgery are all (with certain limitations) acceptable ways to correct visual acuity problems.

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