Lufthansa Pilot Selection: The Full Picture
Lufthansa at a Glance
Fleet
280+
A320 / A350 / 747 / 787
Destinations
200+
Worldwide
Main Hubs
FRA/MUC
Frankfurt & Munich
Questions
287
In our Prep Pack
Lufthansa is one of Europe's most competitive airlines to join as a pilot. The airline employs over 5,000 pilots across its mainline operation, flying Airbus A320 family, A350, Boeing 747-8, and 787 Dreamliner aircraft from its two main hubs at Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC), serving over 200 destinations worldwide.
The selection process is thorough and methodical — candidates consistently describe it as one of the most demanding in European aviation. It involves a multi-stage pipeline that can stretch over several months. Here is what to expect at each stage, based on reports from pilots on PPRuNe, Glassdoor, and German aviation forums.
Online Application & CV Screening
Lufthansa reviews your licence, hours, type ratings, and medical validity
DLR Aptitude Test
Computer-based assessment at DLR centre — Hamburg, Milan, or Zurich
Interpersonal Assessment Centre
Group exercises, psychological interview, psychomotor testing — 1–2 days
Simulator Assessment
A320 Level D sim — circuits, ILS, engine failures, CRM assessment
Final Panel Interview
Senior flight ops management — technical depth, motivation, cultural fit
Medical & Contract
Class 1 medical, document verification, employment agreement
Stage 1: Online Application & Screening
Lufthansa posts pilot vacancies on the Lufthansa Group careers portal. Unlike some airlines that recruit continuously, Lufthansa tends to open positions in waves based on fleet demand, retirements, and expansion plans. When a posting goes live, competition is intense — hundreds of applications arrive within days.
Two main pathways exist for joining the cockpit: Direct Entry (experienced pilots with a current type rating and airline experience) and the European Flight Academy (EFA) cadet programme, which feeds pilots into all Lufthansa Group airlines. Direct entry candidates need a current EASA ATPL, Class 1 medical, and typically 1,500+ hours on multi-crew jet aircraft. EFA cadets go through the full DLR + assessment process described below.
"I applied in January when the FRA A320 posting went live. Got the DLR invite in March, flew the sim in June, contract in August. Seven months total. But a colleague applied for the same posting and waited 5 months just for the DLR slot — timing depends on how many are in the queue." — Forum report, Lufthansa FO candidate, 2025
Stage 2: DLR Aptitude Test
The DLR test (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt — German Aerospace Center) is the backbone of Lufthansa's pilot screening. It is a full-day, computer-based assessment that measures cognitive abilities essential for cockpit work: spatial awareness, memory retention, multi-tasking under pressure, mental arithmetic, psychomotor coordination, concentration, and English language proficiency.
The test takes place at authorised DLR centres in Hamburg, Milan, or Zurich. You book your own slot after passing the initial screening. Results come as a certificate rated A through D — Lufthansa typically requires an A or B rating. If you receive a C or D, you can retake the test after 24 months, but only once. The DLR certificate is valid across Lufthansa Group airlines and is also accepted by Turkish Airlines, SunExpress, and several other carriers.
Preparation is essential. The DLR provides official preparation software after you book your appointment. Third-party tools like SkyTest are widely used among candidates. The multi-tasking sections — where you simultaneously track instruments, solve maths problems, and monitor secondary displays — are consistently described as the most demanding part.
"The DLR is not something you can wing. I practised for 3 weeks, 2 hours a day on SkyTest. The MIC (Motor Instrument Coordination) section was the hardest — you're controlling a cross-hair with a joystick while answering maths questions and monitoring instruments. Practice the coordination, not just the theory." — PPRuNe, Lufthansa DLR experience, 2025
Stage 3: Interpersonal Assessment Centre
After passing the DLR, candidates are invited to a 1–2 day assessment centre run by Interpersonal GmbH (in Hamburg) or the SWISS Flight Crew Assessment Center (in Zurich). This is where Lufthansa evaluates the person behind the test scores: social skills, personality traits, group dynamics, career motivation, and psychomotor abilities.
The assessment centre typically includes: a structured psychological interview (exploring your motivation, stress management, career path, and self-awareness), group exercises (dynamic team tasks observed by psychologists), additional psychomotor testing, and conversations with Lufthansa selection pilots who evaluate your aviation knowledge and operational mindset.
The psychological interview is the stage that surprises many candidates. Experienced aviation psychologists from Interpersonal probe deeply into your decision-making patterns, how you handle authority and conflict, your self-image versus how colleagues perceive you, and your genuine motivation for choosing Lufthansa specifically. Surface-level answers are caught immediately.
"The psychological interview went much deeper than I expected. It wasn't 'tell me about a time you showed leadership.' They asked about my childhood, my relationship with authority, how I handle uncertainty. They're building a psychological profile — they want to know if you'll crack at 3 AM over the Atlantic with a captain you've never met." — Glassdoor, Lufthansa pilot assessment review, 2025
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 — €49.90Stage 4: Simulator Assessment
The simulator assessment takes place in Frankfurt or Munich on a Level D full-motion simulator — typically an Airbus A320 for short-haul positions or a Boeing 747/A350 profile for long-haul roles. It lasts approximately 60–90 minutes and is conducted with a Lufthansa training captain in the other seat.
The standard profile includes visual circuits, an ILS approach to minima, a hold entry, an engine failure after V1 on takeoff, a go-around from low altitude, and potentially a non-precision approach. For the A320, expect standard Airbus philosophy: fly-by-wire handling, ECAM procedures, and correct use of automation modes. Candidates from Boeing backgrounds are given a thorough brief beforehand — Lufthansa does not expect you to know the A320 cold, but they expect you to adapt quickly.
Like most European flag carriers, Lufthansa weights CRM heavily in the simulator assessment. Communication, standard callouts, briefings, and how you interact with the training captain matter as much as your raw handling. If your first approach is rough but you debrief it honestly and improve on the second attempt, that is exactly what they want to see.
Lufthansa Group uses the FORDEC decision-making framework throughout its operations — Facts, Options, Risks, Decision, Execution, Check. When facing an abnormal situation in the simulator, verbalise your FORDEC process: state the facts you have observed, identify your options, assess the risks of each, announce your decision, execute it, and then check whether the outcome matches your expectation. This structured approach to decision-making under pressure is deeply embedded in Lufthansa Group culture — it is used at Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Eurowings, Brussels Airlines, and Condor. Assessors specifically listen for candidates who demonstrate FORDEC-aligned thinking rather than making reactive decisions without a visible thought process. Practise verbalising FORDEC during your sim preparation until the framework becomes second nature.
"I came from a 737 background and was nervous about the A320 sim. They gave me a 30-minute brief on the sidestick, thrust levers, and ECAM logic. The training captain was supportive — he wanted to see me think out loud. Brief everything, even if it feels obvious. Silence kills you in a Lufthansa sim check." — Forum report, successful Lufthansa candidate, 2024
Stage 5: Final Panel Interview
The final interview is with senior flight operations management — typically a fleet captain or chief pilot and an HR representative. It runs 45–60 minutes and covers technical depth, operational decision-making, motivation, and cultural alignment with Lufthansa's values.
This stage goes beyond the structured psychological interview at the assessment centre. Expect deep technical probing: RVSM, ETOPS, fuel planning for long-haul, automation philosophy, and Lufthansa-specific operational questions. The panel also evaluates whether you understand what working at Lufthansa actually means — the base structure (Frankfurt vs Munich), fleet bidding, upgrade timelines, and the relationship between Lufthansa mainline and its subsidiaries (CityLine, Eurowings, Discover).
What the panel typically asks:
- Behavioral/STAR: "Describe a situation where you had to adapt your leadership style." "Tell me about a time you made a mistake in the cockpit and how you handled it."
- Motivational: "Why Lufthansa specifically — not Swiss or Austrian?" "Where do you see yourself in 10 years within the Lufthansa Group?" "How will you finance the type rating?"
- Technical: "Explain Balanced Field Length." "What are the limitations of CAT III approaches?" "Describe the A320 hydraulic system architecture."
- Operational awareness: "What do you know about Lufthansa's fleet renewal plans? The 787 Dreamliner introduction? The relationship between LH mainline and Discover?"
"The chief pilot asked me what I knew about Lufthansa's dual-hub strategy and why Munich was growing faster than Frankfurt for leisure routes. Then he pivoted to ETOPS diversion planning for the A350 North Atlantic. You need to know both the airline and the aircraft." — PPRuNe, Lufthansa final interview debrief, 2025
Stage 6: Medical & Contract
After a successful final interview, the remaining steps are a Class 1 aero-medical examination (if not already current), document verification (licence, logbook, references), and the employment agreement. Lufthansa is meticulous about documentation — every entry in your logbook should match your application. Discrepancies are flagged and can delay or derail the process.
For EFA cadets, the medical is typically completed after passing the Interpersonal assessment, before starting flight training. For direct entry candidates, a current Class 1 medical is expected at application — Lufthansa may require you to undergo an additional examination at their designated AME if your existing medical is from a non-German authority.
"Everything was smooth until document check — they found a 12-hour discrepancy between my logbook total and the hours I'd listed on the application form. It was a rounding error from converting my US hours. They flagged it and I had to provide a written explanation. Triple-check your numbers." — Forum report, Lufthansa direct entry candidate, 2024
Lufthansa Pilot Assessment Preparation — Sample Questions
Preparing for the Lufthansa pilot assessment? Below are three questions from our Lufthansa question bank with the coaching frameworks that candidates use to prepare. The first shows the complete answer — all paragraphs, tips, and airline-specific context. Each of the 287 questions in the full pack averages 600 words of structured coaching per answer.
How would you behave as the pilot of a plane during an emergency?
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate — In any emergency, my immediate priorities follow the universal framework: aviate — maintain control of the aircraft; navigate — ensure a safe flight path; communicate — inform ATC, cabin crew, and my colleague. I would not attempt to diagnose the emergency until the aircraft is under control and in a safe configuration. Once stabilised, I would use FORDEC to structure my decision: Facts — what has happened and what indications do I have?
Options — what can I do? Risks — what are the consequences of each option? Decision — choose and commit. Execution — carry out the plan. Check — verify it is working. In the Lufthansa FQ interview, the assessors want to see structured thinking, not a recitation of the QRH — they already know I can read checklists. What differentiates candidates is calm prioritisation under pressure.
Crew Coordination During the Emergency — Describe how you would manage the crew dynamic during an emergency. At Lufthansa, the standard procedure is: PF (Pilot Flying) maintains aircraft control and communicates with ATC, while PM (Pilot Monitoring) manages the ECAM or QRH actions and coordinates with cabin crew. Clear task assignment prevents duplication and ensures nothing is missed. The German cockpit culture’s low Power Distance means both pilots contribute equally to emergency management — the Captain makes final decisions, but the First Officer is expected to provide active input, cross-check ECAM actions, and voice any concerns. Reference specific procedures: for an engine failure on the A320neo PW1100G, the memory items are ECAM-driven with autothrust managing the remaining engine.
Decision-Making Under Pressure — Use the FORDEC model (Facts, Options, Risks/Benefits, Decide, Execute, Check) to structure in-flight decision-making during an emergency. Describe how you would gather facts (what is the actual failure? what does ECAM indicate? what are the weather and fuel state?), identify options (continue to destination, divert to an alternate, return to departure airport), assess risks (time to nearest suitable airport, runway requirements, emergency services availability), decide, execute the decision, and continuously check whether the situation is evolving. At Lufthansa, diversion airports for Frankfurt hub operations include Köln/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, and Hahn; for Munich, alternatives include Nuremberg, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.
Passenger Communication — Address the passenger dimension. After securing the aircraft and initiating the correct procedure, communicate with the cabin crew (via interphone) to prepare them for the emergency, then make a PA to passengers. The PA should be calm, factual, and reassuring: explain that a situation has occurred, the crew is managing it according to procedures, and provide specific instructions if applicable (brace position, prepare for emergency landing). At Lufthansa, where the premium brand includes First Class passengers accustomed to excellence, maintaining calm professionalism during an emergency is part of the brand promise. The crew’s composure directly affects passenger behaviour during evacuation if required.
Tip: Use FORDEC by name — it is the standard Lufthansa decision-making model. Know the Aviate-Navigate-Communicate hierarchy. Reference ECAM for Airbus types, QRH for the 747-8. This question may be expanded with specific scenarios in the FQ sim assessment — the response framework is the same regardless of the specific emergency.
5 coaching paragraphs + tips · this level of detail for every question
What is FADEC and how does it manage the engines on the A320?
What FADEC Is and Why 'Full Authority' Matters — Full Authority Digital Engine Control is the computerised system that manages every aspect of the jet engine's operation — there is no mechanical throttle linkage from the cockpit to the engine. The pilot's thrust lever movement generates an electrical signal that FADEC interprets as a thrust demand; FADEC then calculates the correct fuel flow, variable stator vane positions, bleed air valve positions, and anti-surge margin to deliver that thrust level while remaining within every certified engine parameter limit. The word 'full authority' has a specific and critical meaning: unlike earlier Hydromechanical Metering Units (HMUs) that had a mechanical fuel control backstop, FADEC has no mechanical fallback — if both FADEC channels fail, the engine shuts down. This is a deliberate trade-off: the probability of both FADEC channels failing is certifiably lower (approximately 10⁻⁹ per flight hour) than the probability that a mechanical system would have failed to control the engine safely in the complex operating envelope of a high-pressure-ratio turbofan.
+ 3 more paragraphs + tips in the full version
You are flying an A350-900 from Frankfurt to São Paulo. At the equatorial midpoint over the Atlantic, you receive an ECAM warning for a significant hydraulic leak. Walk through your decision-making.
Assess the ECAM, Then Decide on Diversion — An ECAM hydraulic leak warning on the A350-900 mid-Atlantic requires the same structured response as any ECAM non-normal: I would follow the ECAM actions in order, assess the impact on the aircraft's capability, and then make a decision about continuing or diverting. On the A350, the hydraulic system differs from the A320 — it uses two independent 5,000 PSI systems plus a local electrohydrostatic backup. A leak in one system is serious but the aircraft remains controllable on the other system plus backup. My decision framework: what systems have I lost? What is my remaining operational capability? What is the nearest suitable diversion airport versus my destination? Over the mid-Atlantic, the options may be limited — Shannon, Keflavik, the Azores, or continuing to destination — and the decision depends on the severity of the leak and the rate of fluid loss.
+ 3 more paragraphs + tips in the full version
287 Lufthansa questions with full coaching frameworks
Technical Interview (101) · HR Interview (92) · Simulator Assessment (27) · Assessment Centre (22)
287
questions
~600
words per answer
30
airlines total
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What Successful Candidates Say
Based on candidate reports across PPRuNe, Glassdoor, Pilotenboard.de, and pilot career forums, here are the patterns that separate successful Lufthansa candidates from those who are eliminated:
The DLR is a real filter. A significant percentage of candidates are eliminated at the DLR stage. Unlike airline interviews where preparation can compensate for nerves, the DLR measures raw cognitive performance under timed pressure. Three weeks of dedicated practice is the minimum most successful candidates report. The multi-tasking and psychomotor sections (MIC — Motor Instrument Coordination) require specific practice, not just general aptitude.
The psychological interview is not HR small talk. Interpersonal GmbH employs experienced aviation psychologists who probe beyond rehearsed STAR answers. They explore your personality structure, your relationship with hierarchy, how you process stress, and whether your stated motivation aligns with your actual behavior patterns. Authenticity matters more than polish — inconsistencies between your answers across the day are flagged.
Know the Lufthansa Group structure. Assessors expect you to understand the difference between Lufthansa mainline, CityLine, Eurowings, Discover, Swiss, and Austrian — and where your application fits. Know the fleet composition (A320neo transition, 787 Dreamliner introduction, 747-8 retirement timeline), the dual-hub strategy (Frankfurt long-haul focus vs Munich mixed), and recent financial results. Confusing Lufthansa with "just another airline" is a fast way to get eliminated.
German language helps — a lot. For mainline positions at Frankfurt and Munich, German proficiency is a significant advantage and often a requirement. The assessment centre can be completed in English, but day-to-day cockpit communication, company briefings, and crew culture at Lufthansa mainline are heavily German. Candidates who speak both German and English have a material edge over English-only applicants.
"Prepare for two different interviews happening at the same time. The DLR tests your brain. The Interpersonal tests your character. You can't cram personality in three weeks — but you can practise being honest about who you are and why you fly." — Successful Lufthansa direct entry pilot, PPRuNe, 2025
Preparing for Lufthansa? Two things get you to Frankfurt.
A professional pilot CV that passes Lufthansa HR screening, and 287 real assessment questions with model answers.
Quick Salary Reference (2026)
Lufthansa pilot compensation varies significantly by rank, seniority, and fleet type. The package includes base salary, a 16% performance bonus for meeting the standard 75-hour monthly flying target, additional hourly pay for hours above the threshold, and benefits including travel privileges, retirement plans, and a €1,800–2,000 annual professional development allowance. All figures are pre-tax.
| Rank | Monthly (EUR) | Annual (EUR approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Second Officer / Cruise Relief | €3,250–4,800 | €39,000–58,000 |
| First Officer | €6,350–12,700 | €73,000–151,000 |
| Captain | €12,600–20,200+ | €151,000–242,000+ |
Figures are approximate and pre-tax. The 16% performance bonus and overtime pay are in addition to the base figures. Long-haul widebody pilots (A350, 747-8, 787) earn at the higher end. See our full Lufthansa salary breakdown for detailed scale tables, bonus structure, and net income analysis. Source: pilot community reports, Vereinigung Cockpit data, and recruitment materials.
Sources & Methodology
This guide is compiled from pilot community reports on PPRuNe (Professional Pilots Rumour Network), Pilotenboard.de, Glassdoor interview reviews, European Flight Academy official documentation, and public Lufthansa Group recruitment materials. Question content in our Interview Prep Pack is sourced directly from candidate reports — each question shows its source type and confidence level.
Lufthansa's recruitment process changes over time. While we verify content regularly, always check the Lufthansa Group Careers portal for the most current requirements and process steps. This guide was last updated in March 2026.