easyJet has appointed Skyborne Airline Academy as its official integrated ATPL training partner, creating a second cadet pathway alongside the existing Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) programme with CAE. The announcement, made at the Pilot Careers Live event at Heathrow on April 19, 2026, means easyJet will train 1,000 new pilots by 2031 — 500 through each route.
What the Programme Offers
The easyJet FlightCrew Futures Programme is designed for candidates with little or no previous flying experience. Successful applicants receive a conditional job offer from easyJet before training begins, with airline mentoring throughout the 18-month programme. Upon completion, cadets graduate directly into the easyJet flight deck as First Officers.
The total cost is approximately £129,000, which includes the integrated ATPL and the Airbus A320 type rating. The course is self-funded — easyJet does not cover training costs. However, the conditional employment pathway addresses the single biggest risk in pilot training: spending six figures with no guarantee of a job.
Training takes place at Skyborne's UK bases in Gloucestershire and Bournemouth (ground school and multi-engine IR) and Vero Beach, Florida (single-engine flying and CPL). These are the same world-class facilities used for the BA Speedbird Academy and the Jet2 FlightPath programme. Intakes are year-round with classes capped at approximately 20 trainees.
ATPL vs MPL: Two Routes to easyJet
easyJet now offers two distinct cadet pathways, each with a different training philosophy:
| ATPL (Skyborne) | MPL (CAE) | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Conventional — light aircraft first, then jet sim | Airline-specific from day one, heavy simulator focus |
| Cost | ~£129,000 (incl. A320 TR) | ~£100,000–£115,000 |
| Licence | Frozen ATPL — transferable to any airline | MPL — airline-specific, less portable |
| Locations | UK (Gloucestershire/Bournemouth) + Florida | CAE Oxford + various |
| Job offer | Conditional offer before training | Conditional offer before training |
The key difference is licence portability. An ATPL graduate who, for whatever reason, does not join easyJet still holds a frozen ATPL valid at any airline worldwide.
An MPL is tied to the sponsoring airline's aircraft type — if the relationship breaks down (as happened to some cadets during COVID), the licence is less useful elsewhere. The ATPL route costs more, but buys career insurance. Industry commentary on PPRuNe and aviation forums has been broadly positive, with experienced pilots noting that offering both routes gives easyJet resilience and candidates genuine choice.
What This Means for Aspiring Pilots
This partnership is significant for three reasons. First, it confirms sustained hiring demand at Europe's second-largest LCC — committing to 1,000 new pilots over 5 years is not a short-term fix. Second, it validates the ATPL route as equally accepted alongside MPL at a major airline — a reassurance for anyone who chose or is considering conventional flight training. Third, Skyborne's involvement — already training cadets for BA, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, and Wizz Air — consolidates its position as the UK's dominant training provider.
For students currently choosing a UK flight school, the easyJet partnership adds another reason to consider Skyborne. For those already at Skyborne, it expands the airline network available on graduation. And for anyone weighing the £95,000–£115,000 cost of UK pilot training against cheaper European options, the conditional job offer changes the risk calculation entirely.
The 26,000 unfilled pilot positions across Europe continue to drive airline investment in training pipelines. easyJet joins British Airways (Speedbird Academy), Jet2 (FlightPath), Ryanair (Future Flyer), and Lufthansa (EFA) in offering structured cadet-to-cockpit programmes — a trend that is reshaping how the industry recruits its next generation of pilots.
How to Apply
Applications for the easyJet FlightCrew Futures Programme via Skyborne are accepted year-round. The selection process includes online psychometric and aptitude assessments (using the AON platform), followed by virtual interviews and in-person assessment days. Requirements include the right to work in the UK, a Class 1 medical, and minimum five GCSEs at grade C/4 including Maths, Science, and English.
Full details are available at skyborne.com/uk/easyjet. For a complete guide to easyJet's recruitment process across all pathways, see our easyJet Pilot Application Guide.
