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🇬🇷 GreeceStar AllianceFSC/LCC hybridEurope

Aegean Airlines

Aegean Airlines — Greece's largest airline · Star Alliance member

¥13M
Capt. Avg (pre-tax)
¥6.6M
FO Avg (pre-tax)
~70
Fleet Size
150+
Destinations
Overview

About Aegean Airlines

Aegean Airlines is Greece's largest airline, operating from its Athens hub across the Mediterranean, all of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. It is a Star Alliance member. Relative to the size of the Greek economy, it maintains an unusually extensive network, with demand peaking sharply during the summer tourist season. The fleet is built around the A320 family and operations follow EASA standards. Income tax is Greek (up to 44%).

Headquarters
Athens (Greece)
Hub
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH)
Alliance
Star Alliance
Founded
1987
Fleet Size
~70 aircraft
Income Tax
Yes (up to 44%)
Salary Data

Pilot Salary (as of March 2026)

* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.

PositionSalary RangeAvg / ReferenceNotes
Captain
International widebody
¥10.3M–¥15.5M
¥13M Pre-tax
First Officer
Seniority-based
¥4.8M–¥7.8M
¥6.6M Seniority-based

Pay is denominated in euros and set on a seniority system, quoted pre-tax. Figures are converted at EUR/JPY = 163. Greek income tax reaches a maximum of 44%. The cost of living in Athens is relatively low compared with Western Europe.

Career Ladder

Pay by Seniority

Modeled from the captain / first-officer ranges above, sliced into standard career stages. Bands marked est. are derived from those ranges (not official); verified bands come from active-pilot data. Management pay is crowd-sourced from verified pilots.

Career StageYearsAnnual (pre-tax)Source
Cadet / Trainee≤2 yrs
¥3M–¥4.5M
est.
First Officer — Junior3–5 yrs
¥4.8M–¥6.2M
est.
First Officer — Mid6–10 yrs
¥5.6M–¥7M
est.
First Officer — Senior11–15 yrs
¥6.5M–¥7.8M
est.
Captain — New15–18 yrs
¥10.3M–¥12.6M
est.
Captain — Mid19–24 yrs
¥11.8M–¥14M
est.
Senior Captain25+ yrs
¥13.2M–¥15.5M
est.
Management / Instructor / ExaminerData wantedcrowd-sourced
Operations

Routes & Fleet

Routes

From its Athens hub, Aegean serves all of Europe (London, Paris, Frankfurt, and more), the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East. It also operates numerous domestic routes to the Greek islands.

Fleet

Airbus A321neo, A320neo, A320ceo, and A319. Around 70 aircraft.

Training

Training & Checkrides

Type Rating (EASA-approved — watch for cost liability)

Training is conducted at an EASA-approved ATO. At LCCs, some contract structures require the pilot to bear part or all of the type-rating cost — confirm the terms.

LIFUS

After obtaining the type rating, line training is flown with an instructor captain on board. At LCCs with many short-haul routes, pilots can build up their leg count relatively quickly.

Recurrent Checks (OPC/LPC)

Checks are held once or twice a year based on EASA standards. LCCs apply the same safety standards.

Upgrade

FO-to-Captain upgrade typically requires a minimum of 4,000-5,000 flight hours or more. LCCs can offer more frequent upgrade opportunities.

Benefits

Benefits & Perks

✈️
Staff Discounts

Discounted or free travel on the airline's own flights. Often extends to group and partner carriers.

🏥
Medical Insurance

Basic medical insurance (in Europe, combined with the EHIC / public health-care systems).

📈
Productivity Bonus

Duty pay or a productivity bonus, usually tied to flight hours and number of legs.

📅
Paid Leave

A minimum of 20 days or more under the EU directive, in accordance with each country's law.

🏠
Base City Allowance

An allowance for working at a chosen base city (London, Madrid, etc.).

Job Openings

Recruitment Info (as of March 2026)

Hiring status: Recruiting on a regular basis. Open to holders of an EASA ATPL.

Captain / First Officer (regular recruitment)
European routes. Athens-based.
Recruiting
License: EASA ATPL (HCAA-issued)
English: ICAO Level 4 or above
Min. Flight Hours: Captain 4,000h+ (guideline)
Type Rating: A320 family preferred

Recruitment activity tends to intensify during Greece's summer peak (April-October).

Comparison

Aegean Airlines vs Japan Majors

AirlineCaptain (range)First OfficerIncome Tax
Aegean Airlines 🇬🇷¥10.3M–¥15.5M¥4.8M–¥7.8MIncome tax applies
ANA 🇯🇵¥22M–¥35M¥14M–¥21M~33% (Japan)
JAL 🇯🇵¥22M–¥35M¥14M–¥21M~33% (Japan)

* Salary figures are SSOT reference values (pre-tax unless marked tax-free). ANA / JAL shown as the Japan baseline — ~33% income tax applies in Japan, so after-tax take-home is lower than the headline. Tax-free carriers pay 100% take-home. Verify exact figures with each airline.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Aegean Airlines captain salary in 2026?

Aegean Airlines captain pay averages about ¥13M per year (range ¥10.3M–¥15.5M), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.

What is Aegean Airlines first officer salary?

Aegean Airlines first officer pay averages about ¥6.6M per year (range ¥4.8M–¥7.8M), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.

What are the requirements to become a Aegean Airlines pilot?

Captain / First Officer (regular recruitment) — European routes. Athens-based.. Key requirements — License: EASA ATPL (HCAA-issued); English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Min. Flight Hours: Captain 4,000h+ (guideline); Type Rating: A320 family preferred. Recruitment activity tends to intensify during Greece's summer peak (April-October).

How does Aegean Airlines pay compare to ANA or JAL?

Aegean Airlines captains average ¥13M, versus roughly ¥27M at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.