Wizz Air Pilot Academy (WAPA) offers one of Europe's most attractive ab-initio pathways—from zero flying experience to Airbus A320 First Officer with guaranteed employment. Established in 2016, the program combines quality flight training with an industry-leading financing model where you only repay training costs after starting your airline career.
Wizz Air Pilot Academy Key Facts
Total Cost
€61,460
Ab-initio training
Upfront
€13,950
To start
Duration
17-21 mo
+ 5-6 mo advanced
Success Rate
95%+
Completion rate
Program Overview
Wizz Air operates 200+ Airbus A320/A321 aircraft across 250+ destinations in 49 countries, with 350+ aircraft on order. This rapid growth creates continuous demand for new pilots and offers fast career progression.
What You Get
- • CPL with Multi-Engine & Instrument Rating
- • ATPL theory credit (frozen ATPL)
- • MCC (Multi-Crew Cooperation)
- • UPRT (Upset Prevention & Recovery)
- • Airbus A320 Type Rating
- • Guaranteed First Officer position
Program Highlights
- • No prior flying experience required
- • Pre-financed training model
- • Repay only after employment
- • €5,000 loyalty bonus (5-year retention)
- • Training in English throughout
- • Course starts every 3 months
Training Costs & Financing
Wizz Air's financing model is one of the most cadet-friendly in the industry—you only start repaying after becoming a First Officer.
| Cost Component | Amount | When Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Initial payment | €13,950 | Before course start |
| Pre-financed by Wizz Air | €47,510 | Repaid after employment |
| Recruitment fee | €110-130 | Before assessment |
| Total ab-initio | €61,460 | - |
Repayment Schedule (After FO Release)
| Period | Monthly Payment | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1-30 | €520 | €15,600 |
| Months 31-60 | €897 | €26,910 |
| Months 61-65 | €1,000 | €5,000* |
Loyalty Bonus
The last 5 installments (€5,000 total) are waived if you stay with Wizz Air for 5 years. This effectively reduces your total cost to €56,460.
Not included: Accommodation, living expenses, travel costs, ATPL exam fees (paid to CAA), remedial training if needed, notary fees for contracts.
Entry Requirements
Age
Minimum 18 years old at application
Residency
Unrestricted right to live and work in EU or Wizz Air base countries (Albania, Armenia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine)
Height
158-191 cm (5'2" - 6'3")
Medical
EASA Class 1 medical certificate (required before enrollment, not for assessment)
English
ICAO Level 4 minimum proficiency
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Surety
Family member or relative to sign suretyship agreement
No prior flying experience required. Previous experience (up to 20 hours) may be credited toward training fee at Wizz Air's discretion after an assessment flight.
Training Structure
Ab-Initio Training (17-21 months)
Tréner Flight Academy, Nyíregyháza, Hungary. ATPL theory (13 subjects), 140 hours flight training, 60 hours simulator, APS-MCC course. Fleet: Piper Warrior & Seminole.
Advanced Training (5-6 weeks)
Airline Transition Program (ATP): 5 days including 3 days simulator. Airbus A320 Type Rating: 5-week course at Wizz Air Training Center, Budapest.
Wizz Air Training (12-14 weeks)
Introduction & Conversion Training (6-7 weeks): Company procedures, operations. Line Flying Under Supervision (6-7 weeks): Real passenger flights with Training Captain.
First Officer
Pass Final Check for Release. Begin career as Wizz Air First Officer at allocated base.
Training is full-time (weekdays 8:00-17:00, flying may include weekends). Relocation to Nyíregyháza required for Phase 1. Wizz Air provides accommodation during Phases 2-3 and a trainee salary.
Selection Process
| Stage | Format | What's Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Online Application | Remote | Basic eligibility, profile review |
| 2. Aptitude Tests (TestAir360) | Remote + Supervised | Cognitive abilities, spatial awareness, multitasking |
| 3. Group Exercise | Budapest (in-person) | Decision-making, teamwork, communication, leadership |
| 4. Interview | Budapest (in-person) | Motivation, personality, career commitment |
| 5. Background & Financial Check | Remote | Candidate and surety verification |
TestAir360 Preparation
The pilot aptitude test (TestAir360) allows preparation—4 home practice sessions are available before the final supervised test. This significantly improves your chances of success.
Salary & Career Progression
Wizz Air Pilot Compensation (2025)
First Officer
€3.5-6.5K
Monthly base
Captain
€9-15K
Monthly base
Days Off
12-14
Per month
Captain Upgrade
4-6 yrs
Typical timeline
Additional Compensation
- Distance pay: €0.02-0.04 per kilometer flown
- Landing pay: €12 per landing
- Sign-on bonus: Up to €5,000 for First Officers
- Retention bonus: Up to €25,000 after 3 years (FO/SFO)
- Layover allowance: Daily rate when away from base
Benefits
Work-Life Balance
- • 12-14 days off monthly
- • Fixed or flexible roster options
- • Annual leave
- • Multiple base options across Europe
Perks & Insurance
- • Staff travel discounts
- • 4-8 free tickets per year
- • Health insurance
- • Life insurance
How to Apply
Courses start every 3 months. After passing selection, you can choose your start date within 1 year. Class size is 20-25 cadets per intake.
- Submit online application at careers.wizzair.com
- Pay recruitment fee (€110-130) when invited to testing
- Complete aptitude tests within 30 days of invitation
- Attend assessment in Budapest (travel/accommodation self-funded)
- Pass background check (you and your surety)
- Obtain Class 1 medical before enrollment
- Sign contracts (training agreement + suretyship) before notary
- Pay initial fee (€13,950) and start training
Before Applying
Consider taking a trial flight to confirm pilot career is right for you. Get your Class 1 medical early to identify any potential issues. Prepare for TestAir360 using their practice modules.
Official Application: careers.wizzair.com/go/Pilot-Academy
Information accurate as of January 2026. Always verify current requirements and costs on Wizz Air's official website.