TUI Airways is the UK's largest leisure airline, operating an all-Boeing fleet from 12 UK bases. The airline recruits over 100 pilots annually alongside its 737 MAX fleet expansion — 14 new MAX 8 aircraft from BOC Aviation were delivered through 2025-2026. For pilots, TUI offers something rare in the UK market: a realistic path to widebody operations on the 787 Dreamliner without changing airlines.
TUI's selection is leisure-market focused — "customer holiday experience" is the cultural lens, not just a corporate phrase. Your CV must show you understand the difference between transporting passengers and creating holiday memories. For the full assessment breakdown, see the TUI interview guide.
CV Guide Summary
- This guide covers how to format your pilot CV specifically for TUI applications.
- How to write a pilot CV for TUI Airways.
- Structure your CV to highlight the specific qualifications and experience TUI values most.
- Includes formatting templates, common mistakes to avoid, and section-by-section guidance.
- TUI Airways is the UK's largest leisure airline, operating an all-Boeing fleet from 12 UK bases.
What TUI Looks For
TUI operates a leisure model — seasonal peaks, diverse leisure destinations, and a customer base that expects the flight to be part of the holiday. Pilots are expected to contribute to passenger experience, not just deliver safe transport. The 5-stage selection process evaluates technical competence and cultural fit equally.
Key items to highlight
- UK CAA or EASA ATPL with Class 1 Medical
- Boeing 737 or 787 type rating (direct entry) or completion of approved training pathway
- Multi-crew jet experience with PIC/SIC breakdown
- Customer experience examples — leisure or hospitality industry experience is valued
- Seasonal operations awareness — TUI's schedule varies dramatically between summer and winter
- UK right to work (essential — TUI is a UK AOC carrier)
MPL Cadet vs Direct Entry
MPL Cadet Programme (suspended 2026)
The fully funded 19-month programme is not running for 2026 intake. TUI cited reduced pilot demand for summer 2028. The 2025 intake (30 places from 13,000+ applicants — 0.2% acceptance rate) ran normally. Monitor TUI's careers page for resumption.
Alternative: Leading Edge Aviation's LEAP programme has an active TUI training partnership. Graduates apply directly through Leading Edge's graduate services team. Other approved partners include Skyborne and FTEJerez.
Direct Entry (Type-Rated Pilots)
TUI recruits B737 and B787 type-rated pilots on a rolling basis through their careers portal. Separate vacancies for narrowbody (737-800/MAX 8) and widebody (787-8/787-9) fleets.
CV focus: current type rating with recency, total hours with PIC/SIC breakdown, multi-crew jet experience, base preference (TUI operates from 12 UK airports), and evidence of customer-oriented mindset.
The 787 Dreamliner Pathway
TUI's 13 Dreamliners (787-8 and 787-9) operate long-haul from London Gatwick and Manchester to the Caribbean, North America, and increasingly Asia and Africa. This is TUI's key differentiator from other UK leisure carriers — widebody experience without leaving the company.
New First Officers typically start on the 737 fleet. Transition to the 787 depends on seniority, operational need, and assessment. If widebody progression is your goal, state it in your CV's career objectives — but frame it as long-term ambition after proving yourself on narrowbody, not as an immediate expectation.
CV Format & Structure
Apply through TUI's careers portal (careers.tuigroup.com). Upload a single-column PDF, 2 pages maximum. Lead with Professional Summary, then Licenses & Ratings, Flight Experience, Employment History, Education, and any customer-facing achievements.
Include a text-based hours summary: "Total: X,XXX · PIC: X,XXX · B737: X,XXX · Multi-Engine: X,XXX." Specify Boeing type experience clearly — TUI is all-Boeing, so A320 experience is less relevant unless you are highlighting total multi-crew hours. State your preferred base from TUI's 12 UK airports.
For the approved training partner route: include your training school, programme type (LEAP Integrated/Modular), expected completion date, and that you are applying through the graduate services pathway. The CV structure differs from direct entry — education and training progress replace flight hours as the primary content.
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.
TUI-Specific Mistakes
Treating TUI like a scheduled carrier — TUI is a leisure airline. Your CV should reflect understanding of seasonal charter operations, diverse leisure destinations, and the role pilots play in the overall holiday experience. Generic language about "operational excellence" without leisure context misses the point.
Applying for the MPL Cadet Programme in 2026 — the programme is suspended. If your CV references MPL cadet expectations, it shows you have not checked current recruitment status. Apply through approved training partners or direct entry instead.
Leading with Airbus experience when applying for Boeing fleet — TUI is all-Boeing. Airbus hours are relevant as multi-crew time, but your summary should highlight Boeing-specific experience or willingness to convert. Do not bury Boeing hours below Airbus content.
No UK base preference stated — TUI operates from Manchester, Gatwick, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle, Luton, Cardiff, Doncaster Sheffield, Exeter, and Belfast. Stating flexibility or a specific preference shows you understand TUI's distributed base model.
Expecting immediate 787 assignment — mentioning Dreamliner ambitions is fine, but positioning it as your primary motivation suggests you will be dissatisfied on the 737 fleet. Frame it as a long-term career goal within TUI.