Review Summary
- Reputation: Established 2006, largest pilot training center in Central Europe, official Ryanair Future Flyer Academy partner
- Facilities: Modern training center in former airport terminal, 30 aircraft fleet (26 Tecnam), FNPT simulators, controlled airport with ILS
- Location: Łódź International Airport (EPLL), central Poland - affordable living, EU location, international student community
- Ryanair Partnership: One of only 6 official partners, conditional job offer upon enrollment, Boeing 737 type rating included
- Overall Rating: 4.8/5 - Exceptional value, professional training, strong Ryanair pathway, affordable costs
Bartolini Air Overview
Bartolini Air is the largest pilot training center in Central Europe, established in 2006 and headquartered at Łódź International Airport (EPLL) in Poland. The school operates as a comprehensive EASA-approved Approved Training Organization (ATO) offering integrated and modular pilot training programs. With over 200 students annually and a reputation for exceptional training quality at competitive prices, Bartolini Air has established itself as one of Europe's premier flight training destinations.
The academy operates from a unique facility in a converted former passenger terminal building, providing modern classrooms, simulators, and administrative spaces. Bartolini Air maintains a fleet of 30 modern aircraft, including 26 Tecnam models with glass cockpit avionics. The school is one of only six official partners of the Ryanair Future Flyer Academy, offering students a direct pathway to employment with Europe's largest airline.
Beyond flight training, Bartolini Air is a multifaceted aviation company operating charter services with Citation jets, maintaining an EASA-compliant air operator certificate, providing aircraft maintenance services, and serving as the official Polish representative for Tecnam and Daher aircraft manufacturers. The company also manufactures FNPT II flight simulators. This diverse aviation business provides students exposure to professional operations and additional career opportunities.
Ryanair Future Flyer Academy Partnership
Exclusive Partnership: Bartolini Air is one of only 6 official Ryanair Future Flyer Academy partners worldwide. This prestigious partnership provides students with conditional job offers upon enrollment, training according to Ryanair's standards and procedures, Boeing 737 type rating included in the program (subject to training agreement), and fast-track recruitment process.
Ab-Initio Integrated Program
Zero to Frozen ATPL with Ryanair Pathway
Program Details
Recent Update (January 2025): Ryanair representatives visited Bartolini Air to reaffirm commitment to the partnership. The school is expanding with 8 new Tecnam aircraft (6 P2008JC and 2 P2006T NG) to support growing training demand.
Gateway 1 Program
PPL Holders with ATPL Theory
Gateway Details
Gateway 2 Program
CPL/IR/ME Holders
Fast-Track Details
Ryanair Career Benefits: Europe's largest airline with 180+ million passengers annually, competitive salaries, fastest track to command upgrade (3-4 years), predictable roster (5 days on, 4 days off), modern Boeing 737 fleet including 737-8200 Gamechanger aircraft, excellent career progression opportunities.
Training Programs Offered
Standard Integrated ATPL
Non-Ryanair Pathway
Program Details
Best For: Students seeking affordable European training with flexibility to apply to multiple airlines. Lower cost than Ryanair program but without conditional job offer or type rating included.
Modular Training Courses
Individual Ratings and Licenses
Course Options
Flexibility: Modular courses can be scheduled around work commitments. Bartolini Air welcomes international students for short intensive courses. Excellent option for time-building and ratings addition.
Additional Training Services
Specialized Courses
- Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) in CAP 10 NG aerobatic aircraft
- Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) in Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 simulators
- Flight Instructor Rating (FI) courses for qualified pilots
- Instrument Rating Instructor (IRI) qualification programs
- Type rating preparation and simulator training
- Hour building programs on Tecnam fleet
Complete Cost Analysis
Ryanair Future Flyer Academy
Standard Programs
Living Expenses Łódź (Monthly)
Additional One-Time Costs
Total Investment Examples: Standard Integrated ATPL: €70,000-€78,000 including 20 months living. Ryanair Ab-Initio (EU): €90,000-€98,000 including 20 months living and type rating. Ryanair Ab-Initio (UK): €77,000-€85,000 - exceptional value with job guarantee.
Cost Advantages: Bartolini Air offers some of the most competitive pricing in Europe. Standard program 30-40% cheaper than UK schools and 15-25% cheaper than Western European alternatives. Poland's low cost of living provides additional savings of €400-700/month compared to Western Europe. Excellent value-to-quality ratio consistently praised in student reviews.
Facilities and Fleet
Training Center
- Unique location in converted former passenger terminal building at EPLL
- Modern classrooms with latest educational technology and multimedia systems
- Dedicated computer-based training rooms with flight planning software
- Professional briefing rooms and student study areas
- On-site aircraft maintenance facility with EASA Part-145 approval
- Adjacent to active runway with full ILS capability for realistic training environment
- Student lounge, accommodation assistance, comprehensive support services
Simulator Facilities
- Multiple FNPT II multi-engine flight simulators for instrument training
- Boeing 737 fixed-base simulator for MCC and type rating preparation
- Airbus A320 simulator for jet orientation and procedures
- Bartolini manufactures own FNPT II simulators including Tecnam P2006T Mk II
- All simulators equipped with realistic cockpit environments and avionics
- Available for hour building and procedure practice
Aircraft Fleet (30 Aircraft Total)
Single-Engine (Primary):
- Tecnam P2008JC - Glass cockpit with Garmin G3x Touch
- Tecnam P2002JF - Garmin G500 avionics
- Fleet maximum 5 years old
- All equipped with EFIS glass cockpit
Multi-Engine:
- Tecnam P2006T NG - Latest generation with Garmin G1000 NXi
- Tecnam P2006T - Garmin G1000
- Modern fuel-efficient twins
- Used for CPL complex training and ME rating
Specialized:
- CAP 10 NG - Upset prevention and recovery training
- Legendary aerobatic aircraft
- Professional maintenance program
- 26 of 30 aircraft are Tecnam models
2025 Fleet Expansion: Bartolini Air purchased 8 new Tecnam aircraft in December 2024 (6 P2008JC and 2 P2006T NG) expanding total fleet to 30 aircraft. The new P2006T NG models are first in Poland and feature upgraded avionics and performance.
Additional Operations
- Charter operations with Citation jet fleet (air operator certificate holder)
- EASA Part-145 approved aircraft maintenance organization
- Official Tecnam and Daher aircraft sales representative for Poland
- Manufacturing FNPT II flight simulators for sale to other schools
- Professional pilot employment opportunities in charter division
Location: Łódź, Poland
Living in Łódź
Location
Łódź International Airport (EPLL) in central Poland. Third-largest city, population 670,000. 90 minutes from Warsaw, excellent European transport connections
Weather
Continental climate with 4 distinct seasons. Summers 20-28°C, winters -5 to 5°C. Reliable weather enables consistent training year-round with minimal delays
Cost of Living
Very affordable - 40-50% lower than Western Europe. Monthly living €600-1,000. Cheap food, transport, accommodation. Excellent value for students
Language
Polish primary language but English widely spoken in aviation community and by younger generation. Training conducted entirely in English
Airport
Controlled international airport with ILS runway 25. Commercial traffic (Ryanair, Wizz Air). Professional ATC communication from first flight. Excellent training environment
European Access
EU member state since 2004. Schengen Area for easy travel. Direct flights throughout Europe. Central location ideal for international students
Łódź offers an excellent environment for flight training with significant cost advantages and authentic European culture. The city is Poland's third-largest with rich industrial heritage now transformed into cultural attractions, restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. The large international student community (several universities) makes integration easy for foreign aviation students.
Living costs are remarkably low compared to Western Europe. Students typically pay €250-450 for shared accommodation, €3-5 for restaurant meals, €1.50-2 for local transport, and €1-2 for beer. The city offers modern amenities including IKEA, shopping malls, cinema, nightlife, and cultural events. Łódź has undergone significant redevelopment with attractive pedestrian areas and renovated architecture.
The airport location is convenient with taxi to city center costing €6-8. Bartolini Air provides comprehensive support with accommodation arrangements, visa assistance for non-EU students, and help navigating life in Poland. Most students rent apartments within 10-20 minutes of the school. Public transport is efficient and inexpensive. Poland's central European location enables easy travel to neighboring countries.
Key Advantages
Exclusive Ryanair Partnership
One of only 6 official Ryanair Future Flyer Academy partners worldwide. Conditional job offer upon enrollment with Europe's largest airline. Boeing 737 type rating included. Fast-track recruitment and priority selection provide exceptional career security.
Exceptional Value Pricing
Standard integrated ATPL only €59,500 - among the most affordable in Europe. Living costs 40-50% lower than Western Europe. Total investment €30,000-40,000 less than UK schools. Outstanding quality-to-price ratio consistently praised.
Modern Fleet Excellence
30 aircraft fleet with 26 Tecnam models, all with glass cockpit avionics. Maximum 5 years old. Brand new 2025 deliveries include latest P2006T NG. Garmin G1000 NXi and G3x Touch systems prepare students for modern airline operations.
Professional Instructors
Experienced instructors with thousands of hours flying commercial operations. Active airline and charter pilots teaching current industry practices. Professional, service-minded approach. Consistently praised in student reviews for expertise and helpfulness.
Controlled Airport Training
Training at international controlled airport (EPLL) with ILS and commercial traffic. Full ATC communication from first flight. Professional environment matching airline operations. Better preparation than uncontrolled airfield schools.
Comprehensive Aviation Company
Not just training - active charter operations, maintenance organization, aircraft sales. Students exposed to real aviation business. Employment opportunities in Citation charter operations. Professional environment beyond typical flight school.
Important Considerations
Winter Weather Conditions
Polish winters can be cold (-5 to 5°C) with occasional snow and ice. Some training delays possible December-February though less than northern schools. Not ideal for students from warm climates unused to cold weather. However, overall weather reliability still better than UK or northern Europe.
Language Barrier in Daily Life
While training is in English, daily life requires basic Polish for optimal experience. Not all locals speak English fluently, particularly older generation. Banking, administration, shopping can be challenging initially. Learning basic Polish recommended. However, large international student community provides support network.
Ryanair Commitment Required
Ryanair Future Flyer Academy includes training cost agreement and employment commitment. Type rating included but subject to contract terms. Must be willing to commit to Ryanair as primary career path. Less flexibility than standard program for those wanting to explore other airline options.
Location Perception
Łódź is not tourist destination like Spain or major cities. Industrial city undergoing regeneration. Some students prefer more attractive locations. However, this focus on training over tourism benefits serious students and contributes to lower costs.
Comparison with European Schools
| School | Location | ATPL Cost | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bartolini Air | Poland | €59-80k | Ryanair partnership |
| BAA Training | Lithuania | €65-75k | Multiple airlines |
| Flying Academy | Czech Rep | €65-70k | Multiple bases |
| FTEJerez | Spain | €85-95k | Excellent weather |
| CAE Oxford | UK | €115-130k | Premium training |
Bartolini Air offers the most competitive pricing among quality European schools. Standard program matches Eastern European schools while Ryanair partnership provides unique value with job security. Living costs 30-50% lower than Spain, UK, or Western Europe. The exclusive Ryanair partnership and modern fleet justify slightly higher costs versus some Eastern competitors while providing significantly better value than Western schools.
Student Reviews and Testimonials
"Completed CPL ME IR at Bartolini. Fantastic experience with professional instructors who are actual airline pilots. Modern Tecnam aircraft with glass cockpit, great airport with helpful controllers. Price was literally half what UK schools quoted. Highly recommend for anyone serious about value and quality."
– Multiple PPRuNe Forum Reviews (2024)
"Did Ryanair Mentored Programme at Bartolini - now flying B737 for Ryanair! Training was excellent, instructors super friendly and professional. Facilities impressive for the price. The Ryanair pathway worked exactly as promised. If you're committed to airline career, this is the way to go."
– Filippo M., Italy (Ryanair First Officer, 2024)
"Received flight instruction in Norway, USA and Poland - Bartolini impressed me most. English was good, they delivered on every promise, very service-minded. Modern Tecnam P2006T, professional instructors with thousands of hours. Best price/quality ratio in Europe. Only question is why would you train anywhere else?"
– International Student (PPRuNe Forum, 2024)
"Never seen a flight school with facilities like this! Former terminal converted to modern training center, impressive maintenance hangar, Citation jets parked outside. This is a real aviation business, not just a school. Training quality excellent, instructors professional, staff helpful with all aspects of living abroad. Łódź is cheap and has everything you need."
– UK Student (PPRuNe Forum, 2024)
"Excellent training and great value. Winter can be cold with some delays but overall weather much better than northern Europe. Language barrier exists outside aviation but manageable. Instructors are real professionals - many fly commercially. Modern aircraft fleet. Would recommend especially for budget-conscious students seeking quality."
– Spanish Student (2023)
Overall Student Rating: 4.8/5 based on forum reviews and testimonials. Students consistently praise exceptional value, professional instructors, modern fleet, helpful staff, and successful Ryanair pathway. Frequently cited as best price-to-quality ratio in Europe. Very high satisfaction and recommendation rate. Minor criticisms limited to winter weather and language challenges.
Final Verdict: Is Bartolini Air Right for You?
Bartolini Air represents exceptional value for students prioritizing cost-effectiveness without compromising training quality. The exclusive Ryanair Future Flyer Academy partnership provides unmatched career security with conditional job offers and included type ratings. The school's modern fleet, professional instructors, and comprehensive facilities rival expensive Western European schools while maintaining pricing 30-40% lower.
Best suited for: Budget-conscious students seeking maximum value, candidates targeting Ryanair career pathway, European students wanting affordable EU training, pilots comfortable with Central European climate, and serious students prioritizing professional training over lifestyle location. Consider carefully if requiring guaranteed warm weather year-round or preferring Western European cultural environment. Overall represents the best value-to-quality ratio in European flight training with outstanding career prospects through Ryanair partnership.