CV Guide Summary
- This guide covers how to format your pilot CV specifically for Condor applications.
- How to write a pilot CV for Condor.
- Structure your CV to highlight the specific qualifications and experience Condor values most.
- Includes formatting templates, common mistakes to avoid, and section-by-section guidance.
- Condor is Germany's largest independent airline — not part of the Lufthansa Group.
Condor — Independent & Growing
Condor is Germany's largest independent airline — not part of the Lufthansa Group. Owned by Attestor Capital since 2020, the airline has completed a full fleet renewal: 18 A330-900neo long-haul aircraft (growing to 25 by 2031), plus 41 A320neo/A321neo on order to replace the legacy ceo fleet by 2029. Condor operates primarily from Frankfurt with seasonal bases across Germany.
Applications go through career.aero, not the Lufthansa Group portal. The selection process is Condor's own — no DLR test, no Lufthansa Group assessment. Pilot employment is governed by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) collective agreement, the "Pakt für Wachstum" (Growth Pact), which runs through September 2026.
What Condor Looks For
Condor's minimum requirements: EASA ATPL(A), CPL(IR) with ATPL theory, or MPL. A CS-25 type rating is preferred but not mandatory. German and English at minimum ICAO Level 4.
Valid Class 1 Medical with clear AMC drug test. Corrective vision within ±3 diopters. Unrestricted work and residence eligibility in Germany.
Your CV should signal: awareness of the fleet transition (A320ceo → A320neo/A321neo, plus A330neo long-haul), understanding that Condor is independent (not Lufthansa Group), comfort with the VC-negotiated working environment, and genuine interest in leisure/long-haul flying. If applying for a Captain position, highlight command hours and any IP BQ (Basic Qualification) certificates.
CV Format & Flight Hours
Submit your CV in English. Two pages maximum. Structure: personal details (nationality, languages with ICAO levels), flight experience with total hours prominently displayed, licences and ratings, type ratings (highlight A320 family or A330 if held), education, and additional qualifications.
Flight hours matter more at Condor than at most airlines. Condor's FO pay scale is based on accumulated total flight hours, not years of service. Accurate, well-presented flight hours directly influence your starting salary position.
Break down total time, PIC, multi-engine, IFR, and jet time clearly. If you have A320 family hours, list them as a separate line — Condor values same-type experience.
Direct-Entry Captain Path
Condor is one of the few European airlines that accepts direct-entry Captains with prior airline command experience, including recognition of IP BQ certificates from other carriers. If you are applying as a Captain, your CV should lead with command hours, fleet types commanded, and any instructor or examiner qualifications. State your IP BQ status explicitly — Condor values this and it can accelerate the onboarding process.
Condor covers type rating costs for pilots recruited through their selection process. If you hold a current A320 or A330 type rating, mention this prominently — it reduces the training investment Condor needs to make and strengthens your application.
Photo Policy
Most European airlines do not require a photo on your CV, and including one can trigger unconscious bias concerns in some HR departments. Do not add a photo unless the airline specifically requests one on their careers page.
Submit as PDF
Always submit your CV as a PDF unless the airline specifically requests Word format. ATS systems can strip formatting from .docx files — tables, columns, and custom fonts often render as garbled text. Use a single-column layout with standard section headings.
Flight Hours & Direct Entry
Condor is actively recruiting direct-entry Captains to support its fleet renewal from Boeing 767 to Airbus A330-900neo. If applying for a Captain position, present your total hours with PIC command time prominently displayed. Condor values long-haul experience - hours on widebody aircraft should be listed separately.
The airline operates under a new VC (Vereinigung Cockpit) collective agreement signed after the 2024 restructuring. Salary structure is transparent and competitive for German carriers: First Officers earn €75,000-€120,000, Captains €130,000-€229,000. Mentioning awareness of the VC agreement context shows you have done your research.
For the A330neo fleet transition, type-rated pilots on A330 or A340 have an advantage. If you hold an Airbus widebody type rating, this should be the first item in your licence section after your ATPL.
Fleet Transition Context
Condor is replacing its entire long-haul fleet with A330-900neo aircraft. This creates significant recruitment demand for widebody-qualified pilots. If you have A330/A340 experience, your CV goes to the top of the pile.
Condor-Specific Mistakes
Treating Condor as Lufthansa Group. Condor is independent. References to Lufthansa Group processes, DLR testing, or EFA pathways in your cover letter or CV show you haven't researched the airline. Condor has its own identity, culture, and recruitment process.
Omitting German language proficiency. Both German and English ICAO levels are required. State them explicitly with certification details. "Fluent" or "native" is not enough — Condor needs documented ICAO Level 4 minimum.
Vague flight hours. Since Condor uses flight hours to determine pay scale position, imprecise totals ("approximately 3,000 hours") weaken your application. Use exact figures from your logbook. Present total time, PIC, multi-engine, jet, and type-specific hours as separate, clearly formatted lines.
Ignoring the fleet context. Condor is mid-fleet-renewal. Showing awareness of the A330neo long-haul growth, the A32Xneo replacement programme, and the upcoming A321neo operations demonstrates genuine interest. Generic aviation CVs without airline-specific tailoring underperform.