At a launch event at the company’s headquarters this morning (13 May 2025), Jet.com‘s CEO Steve Heapy announced the airline’s first ever fully sponsored pilot training programme.
Applications are opening today for Jet.com’s multi-million pound training programme named Jet2FlightPath, which will fully sponsor up to 60 cadets.
The Jet2FlightPath programme, valued at over £6m, will place cadets with one of three Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) the airline is partnering with on the project, FTEJerez, Leading Edge Aviation and Skyborne Airline Academy.
The programme is open to candidates from all backgrounds (subject to meeting the application criteria), which Jet2.com says “aims to boost social mobility and promote diversity within the pilot community”. Jet2.com adds that entry criteria is lower than for other commercial pilot training programmes (candidates will need at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including maths and a science subject, or equivalent qualifications) in order to make it accessible as possible.
After a selection process which will include assessments and interviews, successful candidates will be invited to take their place on a fully funded 18-month Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training course in the UK, Spain or United States, with courses starting later this year. Upon completion of the ATPL course, trainees will then be offered Type Rating training on either an Airbus or Boeing aircraft, before becoming a Jet2.com pilot.
The company says that when completing the Jet2FlightPath programme, cadets will not just train to become a Jet2.com pilot. They will also be fully immersed in the operation and culture at the company in order to understand all the qualities that make up the award-winning businesses. This includes gaining exposure to various customer-facing roles such as Cabin Crew and Ground Operations, with trainees getting a first-hand look into why Jet2.com has been recognised as a Which? Recommended Provider for the past ten years running.
Jet2.com plans to put 60 pilots through Jet2FlightPath in the first year of the programme and then expand it to attract even more aspiring pilots in the coming years as the company continues to grow. The UK’s third largest airline currently employs over 1,800 pilots and will operate a fleet of up to 135 aircraft in Summer 25, flying customers to sun and leisure city destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Canary Islands from 13 UK airport bases.
Steve Heapy said: “The launch of this brand-new and fully funded pilot training programme is momentous news for Jet2.com and for aspiring pilots. We know that the cost of training is an obstacle to many people who dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot, so we are very proud to announce this groundbreaking programme which will help us make that dream become a reality for many, including those who may have thought that the opportunity was beyond their means. By opening this incredible opportunity up to so many people from so many backgrounds, we expect the programme to be extremely popular, so we look forward to receiving applications and helping many wonderful flying careers take off.”
More information on the programme and application process is available here.
