AIR DO — an independent full-service carrier connecting Hokkaido and Honshu.
AIRDO (AIR DO) is an independent full-service carrier based in Hokkaido, founded in 1996 and launched into service in 1998. With New Chitose Airport as its principal hub, it operates domestic routes linking Hokkaido with cities across Honshu, including Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai and Asahikawa. It has strengthened its route network through codeshare and joint operations with ANA.
Having overcome an earlier management crisis, the airline has now established a stable operating base. As the "Wings of Hokkaido," it is a regionally rooted carrier that delivers the appeal of Hokkaido's nature, food and tourism. With the B737 series as its mainstay fleet, it has built a workplace where both veteran pilots and younger crew can thrive.
* Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks. Verify actual compensation with each airline's official recruitment information.
| Position | Salary Range | Avg / Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Captain International widebody |
¥17.5M–¥22.5M |
¥19.5M | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
¥10M–¥14M |
¥12M | Seniority-based |
As a Japanese carrier, salaries are quoted pre-tax and subject to standard Japanese income tax. Compensation includes a separately paid cold-climate allowance (with a winter add-on), a Hokkaido route allowance, and a performance-linked bonus paid 2–3 times per year. Loss-of-license insurance is provided, covering both on- and off-duty incidents. Monetary figures elsewhere on the site are shown in Japanese yen and can be switched to other currencies.
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 Stage | Years | Annual (pre-tax) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadet / Trainee | ≤2 yrs | ¥3M–¥5M | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | ¥10M–¥11.8M | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | ¥11.1M–¥12.9M | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | ¥12.2M–¥14M | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | ¥17.5M–¥19.8M | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | ¥18.9M–¥21.1M | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | ¥20.3M–¥22.5M | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
Main routes center on New Chitose–Tokyo (Haneda), Japan's largest air-travel-demand route, alongside New Chitose and Asahikawa to Osaka (Itami / Kansai), New Chitose to Nagoya (Chubu), and New Chitose to Sendai and Fukuoka, with nationwide reach leveraged through ANA codeshare flights. Operationally, AIRDO is equipped for winter snow, de-icing and low-visibility operations; runs efficient short-haul domestic services with the B737-700/800; concentrates high-frequency, high-volume flying on its core New Chitose–Haneda corridor; and plays a central role in supporting Hokkaido's tourism and business demand.
B737-700 (126 seats, short-haul variant); B737-800 (165 seats, standard variant); New Chitose Airport (CTS) as the hub base; and an ANA partnership operating codeshare flights.
Type-rating training for the Boeing 737-700/800 is conducted at AIRDO-certified facilities. The airline has a track record of accepting graduates of CAIJ (the former Civil Aviation College) as well as externally trained pilots. Trainees master glass-cockpit and FMS operation.
Training to handle Hokkaido's distinctive winter weather. Pilots acquire cold-climate-specific skills, including operational decision-making in snow, on icy runways and in whiteout conditions, as well as de-icing procedures.
In line with joint operations with ANA, training is conducted to maintain consistency with ANA's standard operating procedures (SOPs), applying ANA-level safety and quality standards.
After building experience as an F/O, pilots proceed to the captain-upgrade assessment. The environment makes early upgrade opportunities relatively accessible for mid-career pilots. Recurrent proficiency checks are carried out one to two times per year.
Discounted AIRDO tickets for employees and their families. ANA discounts can also be used on ANA codeshare flights.
Enrollment in the company health-insurance union, pilot-specific health-management support, and full loss-of-license insurance coverage.
Cold-climate allowance and housing support, plus a Hokkaido lifestyle with ski resorts and great nature close at hand.
A full retirement-allowance scheme and corporate pension, with benefits designed to reflect length of service.
Full childcare-leave and reduced-hours systems in place. Male pilots have a track record of taking childcare leave.
Type-rating training costs are borne by AIRDO, with a cost-support system for continuing education and skill development.
Hiring status: Experienced hires (F/O & Captain) — availability varies by period; check the official site
Hiring availability varies by period; please check the AIRDO official site.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIRDO (AIR DO) 🇯🇵 | ¥17.5M–¥22.5M | ¥10M–¥14M | ~33% (Japan) |
| 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.
AIRDO (AIR DO) captain pay averages about ¥19.5M per year (range ¥17.5M–¥22.5M), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
AIRDO (AIR DO) first officer pay averages about ¥12M per year (range ¥10M–¥14M), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
AIRDO Pilot Recruitment — First Officer (F/O) / Captain — experienced-hire recruitment. Key requirements — Eligibility: Holder of a CPL (multi-engine, instrument) or an ATPL; Location: New Chitose Airport (Hokkaido); English: Aviation English Proficiency Certificate, Level 4 or above. Hiring availability varies by period; please check the AIRDO official site.
AIRDO (AIR DO) captains average ¥19.5M, versus roughly ¥27M at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.