Applying to Lufthansa is not like applying to Ryanair or Wizz Air. There's no single airline — there's a group of 14+ carriers, each with different contracts and pay scales. Cadets must pass the DLR aptitude test (5–10% pass rate) before they can even submit an application. Direct entry pilots apply to specific group airlines, each running their own selection timeline. And the airline you end up flying for after training might not be Mainline Lufthansa at all. Here's how the whole system actually works in 2026.
Lufthansa at a Glance
Fleet
280+
A320, A350, A380, 747, 787
Destinations
220+
Mainline + Group
Hub
FRA/MUC
Frankfurt & Munich
Questions
150
In our Prep Pack
Entry Routes to the Lufthansa Group
Two fundamentally different paths exist. Cadets go through the European Flight Academy (EFA) and enter a group-wide "Ready Entry Pool" — they don't pick their airline. Experienced pilots apply directly to a specific group airline for a specific position.
Cadet (EFA)
European Flight Academy: Ab-initio training across Germany, Switzerland, and Arizona (USA). ~24 months to frozen ATPL + type rating. €120,000 total (€10,000 upfront via Brain Capital ISA).
Prerequisite: DLR aptitude test certificate required before applying. Swiss candidates aged 17–23 can use SPHAIR as alternative.
Placement: Graduates enter the Ready Entry Pool. Group airlines draw from it based on need. Mainline placement is not guaranteed.
Direct Entry
First Officer: Apply via lufthansagroup.careers to specific airlines (Mainline, City Airlines, Eurowings, Discover, etc.). Requirements vary by airline.
Captain: Type-rated or non-type-rated positions. Currently active at Lufthansa City Airlines (A220/A320) and Eurowings.
Cross-recognition: Lufthansa Group selection procedures are recognised across group airlines — passing one may qualify you for others.
The cadet path and the direct entry path lead to very different outcomes. Cadets accept whatever group airline needs them. Direct entry pilots choose their airline, but each airline has its own selection standards and contract terms.
Which Group Airline Will You Fly For?
"I got into Lufthansa" can mean very different things depending on which group airline you're at. Pay, roster, fleet, and union agreements vary substantially.
| Airline | Fleet | Base(s) | FO Salary (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa (Mainline) | A320, A350, 747-8, 787 | Frankfurt, Munich | €83,000–151,000 |
| Lufthansa City Airlines | A319/A320neo, A220 (coming) | Munich, Frankfurt (2026) | €59,000–65,000 |
| Eurowings | A320 | Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Cologne | €50,000–65,000 |
| Discover Airlines | A320, A330 | Frankfurt, Munich | €55,000–70,000 |
| Lufthansa CityLine | CRJ-900, A319 | Munich | €50,000–60,000 |
Being placed at City Airlines or Discover instead of Mainline means €15–25K less per year flying the same A320. Factor this into your ROI calculation if you're comparing the €120K EFA investment against lower-cost programs at Ryanair (€30K) or Wizz Air (€14K upfront).
Requirements
Cadet (EFA) Requirements
Age: Minimum 17 at time of application. No formal upper limit, but older applicants face higher scrutiny on adaptability.
Education: Germany: Abitur (Allgemeine Hochschulreife) or equivalent. Switzerland: Matura or vocational apprenticeship with Berufsmaturität.
Citizenship: EU, Swiss, or EFTA nationality. Alternatively: unrestricted residence permit for Germany or Switzerland.
English: Minimum B2 (CEFR). Validated through DLR test or external certificate (TOEFL, IELTS).
Medical: EASA Class 1 medical. Recommended to get this before investing in the DLR test.
DLR certificate: Mandatory. Must be obtained independently (~€386–427) before applying to EFA.
For the full EFA breakdown including costs, financing, training locations, and the Take-off Promise, see our Lufthansa Cadet Program Guide.
Direct Entry Requirements (Lufthansa City Airlines example)
Licence: Valid EASA ATPL (or equivalent with validation). Type rating for the position applied for (type-rated route) or significant multi-crew experience (non-type-rated).
Education: Abitur, Fachhochschulreife, or equivalent general higher education qualification.
Passport: Valid passport with unlimited validity. Non-EU passport holders must have no stricter entry restrictions than EU passport holders.
English: ICAO Language Proficiency Level 4 minimum, confident verbal and written.
German: Not formally required for cockpit positions, but strongly advantageous for communication with German-speaking crews and union participation.
Medical: Valid EASA Class 1 medical certificate.
Key difference from LCCs: Lufthansa Group requires Abitur-level education even for direct entry pilots. Ryanair and Wizz Air don't have this requirement. If you don't have an equivalent qualification, you may not be eligible regardless of your flying experience.
DLR Aptitude Test (Cadets)
The DLR test is the gatekeeper. Run by the German Aerospace Center in Hamburg, it has a pass rate of roughly 5–10%. You register and pay independently (~€386–427) before applying to EFA. There is no "unlimited retakes" policy — failing has consequences for future applications.
| Test Area | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Processing | Speed and accuracy of mental operations under time pressure |
| Spatial Awareness | 3D orientation, mental rotation, attitude recognition |
| Multitasking | Simultaneous task management, divided attention |
| Memory | Short-term and working memory capacity |
| Mathematics & Physics | Arithmetics, algebra, basic mechanics, thermodynamics |
| English Proficiency | Reading, listening comprehension, grammar |
Get your Class 1 medical before booking the DLR test. If the medical reveals a disqualifying condition, you've saved €400. Book your medical at an EASA-accredited Aero-Medical Center — find one on our AME directory.
Airline-ready CV in 5 minutes.
ATS-optimized format used by Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet recruiters. Pass the filters, get the interview.
Build Your CV — €19.90Selection Process
The process differs for cadets and direct entry. Cadets go through a multi-stage selection run by EFA. Direct entry pilots go through the hiring process of the specific group airline they applied to, though Lufthansa Group selection results can be cross-recognised.
Cadet Selection (EFA)
Step 1 — DLR Test: Register independently at dlr.de. Full-day computer-based assessment in Hamburg. ~5–10% pass rate.
Step 2 — EFA Application: Submit via european-flight-academy.com with DLR certificate, education documents, medical, passport.
Step 3 — Interpersonal Assessment Centre: 1–2 days in Hamburg or Zurich. Group exercises, psychological interview with aviation psychologists, personality profiling.
Step 4 — Conditional Offer: Brain Capital ISA signing, financial background check, training slot assignment.
Direct Entry Selection
Step 1 — Online Application: Apply via lufthansagroup.careers to a specific airline and position. Upload CV, licence, type rating, medical, passport.
Step 2 — Screening & Aptitude: Automated CV screening, followed by aptitude or psychometric tests (varies by airline).
Step 3 — Simulator Assessment: A320 Level D full flight simulator at Frankfurt or Munich. 60–90 minutes. CRM, handling, standard procedures.
Step 4 — Interpersonal / Panel Interview: Senior management panel or assessment centre with aviation psychologists. Technical, HR, and psychological evaluation.
Step 5 — Medical & Contract: EASA Class 1 medical verification, document check, contract offer for the specific group airline.
Simulator Assessment
The sim check uses an Airbus A320 Level D full flight simulator at the Lufthansa training centre in Frankfurt or Munich. Duration is 60–90 minutes. Cadets going through EFA may face a modified sim evaluation as part of the Interpersonal stage; direct entry candidates get the full assessment.
CRM and crew coordination: Briefings, callouts, workload sharing with your sim partner. Assessed continuously.
Basic handling: Standard departures, ILS approaches, visual circuits. Accuracy matters but perfection isn't expected.
Abnormal situations: Engine failures, go-arounds, system malfunctions. How you manage workload and communicate under stress.
SOP discipline: Checklist usage, standard calls, stabilised approach criteria. Lufthansa is strict on procedural compliance.
Know what Lufthansa will ask you
Questions from pilots who passed Lufthansa selection. HR scenarios, technical questions, sim prep — with model answers.
Get Assessment Prep Pack — €49.90Interpersonal Assessment & Interview
This is the stage that catches experienced pilots off guard. Lufthansa's Interpersonal assessment centre uses professional aviation psychologists who dig deep into how you make decisions, handle authority, process conflict, and what genuinely motivates you. Surface-level STAR answers don't work here.
Group Exercise: Team task with other candidates. Assessors evaluate communication style, leadership, and ability to compromise without losing your position.
Psychological Interview: 1–2 hours with an aviation psychologist. Topics: decision-making patterns, authority dynamics, self-awareness, stress response, motivation for Lufthansa specifically (not "airlines in general").
Technical Interview: Covers ATPL theory, A320 systems (for type-rated applicants), operational scenarios, and Lufthansa Group-specific questions.
Commonly reported questions:
Why Lufthansa specifically, not another group airline?
Describe a situation where you disagreed with a captain's decision.
How do you handle criticism from a colleague in front of passengers?
What do you know about the Vereinigung Cockpit and the current pay agreement?
How would you handle a significant delay with frustrated passengers and crew fatigue?
Tell us about a failure and what it taught you.
"The psychologists at Interpersonal are incredibly good at spotting rehearsed answers. Be honest about your weaknesses and how you manage them. They're not looking for perfection — they're looking for self-awareness." — Successful candidate, Lufthansa selection, 2025
How to Prepare
For the DLR Test
Practice with DLR-specific prep tools (SkyTest, DLR Test Prep). Focus on multitasking and speed under pressure. Brush up on maths and physics — these aren't token questions, they're substantial. Get your Class 1 medical first to avoid wasting the €400 test fee.
For the Simulator
Book A320 sim time if you can. Focus on precision approaches, callouts, and CRM with your sim partner. Lufthansa values SOP compliance more than raw handling. Know what a stabilised approach looks like and call a go-around when it's warranted.
For the Interpersonal
Don't rehearse scripted STAR answers. Think deeply about your real motivations, real failures, and how you genuinely handle conflict. Research the Lufthansa Group: understand the difference between Mainline, City Airlines, Eurowings. Know what the Vereinigung Cockpit union does.
Salary by Group Airline
| Airline | FO Annual (gross) | Captain Annual (gross) |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa (Mainline) | €83,000–151,000 | €151,000–242,000+ |
| Lufthansa City Airlines | €59,000–65,000 | €100,000–140,000 |
| Eurowings | €50,000–65,000 | €95,000–130,000 |
| Discover Airlines | €55,000–70,000 | €110,000–150,000 |
Mainline Lufthansa pilots benefit from the strongest union agreement (Vereinigung Cockpit KTV) with an 18% pay rise secured through 2026. Salary includes a 16% bonus for meeting the standard 75-hour monthly flying target, plus hourly pay above that threshold. Cadets start at €39,000–58,000 as Second Officers. For the full breakdown by rank and fleet, see our Lufthansa Pilot Salary Guide 2026.
EFA cadets repay training via the Brain Capital ISA: ~11% of gross income over 11 years, but only when earning above €30,000/year. If you never work as a pilot, you never repay the full amount. The Take-off Promise reimburses 50% if no cockpit position is offered within 24 months.
Key Takeaways
DLR first: Cadets must pass the DLR aptitude test (~€400, ~5–10% pass rate) before applying to EFA.
14+ group airlines: Placement depends on operational needs. Mainline Lufthansa is not guaranteed for cadets.
Education required: Abitur or equivalent, even for direct entry experienced pilots.
EFA cost: €120,000 total, €10,000 upfront via Brain Capital ISA. Take-off Promise: 50% refund if no job within 24 months.
Pay gap: Mainline FOs earn €83K+. City Airlines/Eurowings FOs earn €50–65K. Same A320, different contracts.
Union: Vereinigung Cockpit secured 18% pay rise through 2026 for mainline pilots.
Cadet applications: european-flight-academy.com
Direct entry positions: lufthansagroup.careers
Ready to apply? Build a professional aviation CV formatted for Lufthansa Group standards. Compare EFA with other training options across 659 European flight schools.