Ryanair is spending €25 million per year to recruit and train pilots over the next three years — a direct response to the Boeing 737 MAX 10's expected entry into service in spring 2027. The hiring push targets both cadets and experienced first officers, with the airline building what it calls a "strong pool of home-grown first officers" ready for command upgrades as the larger aircraft enters the fleet.
MAX 10 Certification Timeline
Boeing expects MAX 10 type certification by Q3 2026. Ryanair has contracted delivery of its first 15 MAX 10 aircraft starting spring 2027, with fleet expansion accelerating through 2028–2030. The MAX 10 seats up to 230 passengers in Ryanair's configuration — roughly 30 more than the MAX 8-200 — making it a significant capacity upgrade on high-demand routes.
Ryanair has nearly completed its current order of 210 MAX 8-200s. By October 2025, 204 had been delivered, and the airline is "confident" the final six will arrive ahead of next summer's schedule. The transition to MAX 10 represents the next phase of fleet growth.
"We need to accelerate cadet and first officer recruitment for the next three years." — Ryanair first-half briefing, November 2025 (via FlightGlobal)
What This Means for Pilots
The hiring ramp has a clear logic. Each new aircraft requires roughly 10–12 pilots to crew it at full utilisation. Fifteen MAX 10 deliveries in 2027 alone means 150–180 new pilot positions — on top of normal attrition replacement. Ryanair is front-loading recruitment now so that first officers hired in 2026 have 12–18 months of line experience before the MAX 10 enters the fleet.
For cadets, the timing is significant. Ryanair's captain upgrade is possible in 3.5–5 years with 2,900+ total hours. FOs hired today will hit that threshold right as MAX 10 deliveries accelerate in 2028–2030 — exactly when the airline needs the most new captains.
Ryanair currently operates from approximately 95 bases across Europe. The MAX 10's higher seat count makes it viable on thinner routes that cannot fill a widebody but need more capacity than the MAX 8-200. Expect new base openings and route expansion as the fleet grows.
The Bigger Picture
Ryanair's hiring push is part of a broader European trend. CAE, the flight training specialist, has warned that European airlines face ongoing challenges rebuilding pilot ranks thinned during the pandemic. Oliver Wyman estimates a global shortfall of 24,000 pilots in 2026, with Europe accounting for a significant share.
The competition for experienced crew is intensifying. Wizz Air is expanding bases in Central Europe. easyJet is growing in Lisbon, Manchester, and Milan. Lufthansa Group plans to hire 10,000 staff including pilots across its subsidiaries. For qualified pilots, 2026 offers more options than any year since before the pandemic.
Ryanair's assessment process runs year-round through the Pilot Gateway portal and recruitment partners. The assessment day in Dublin includes aptitude tests, a B737 simulator session, and a structured competency interview. For a detailed breakdown: read our full Ryanair interview guide or check current Ryanair pilot salary data.
