Fuji Dream Airlines — a regional-aviation pioneer connecting Japan's local cities with its colorful fleet.
Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) is a regional airline based in Shizuoka Prefecture, founded in 2008 and launched into service in 2009. With Shizuoka Airport and Nagoya Komaki Airport as its principal hubs, it operates routes that directly link regional cities across Japan. A defining feature is its colorful fleet — each aircraft painted in its own vivid color scheme — giving the airplanes high visibility and an affectionately regarded presence that has made them well loved.
Making use of relatively small regional jets — the Embraer E175 and E175-E2 — FDA has cultivated a niche market linking regional cities that major carriers find hard to serve. It also operates partial codeshares with ANA, connecting into the nationwide network. Through community-rooted management, it supports air-travel demand across the Chubu region, including Shizuoka, Aichi, and Mie.
* 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 |
¥14M–¥18M |
¥16M | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
¥7M–¥10.5M |
¥8.5M | Seniority-based |
All salaries are quoted in Japanese yen and are pre-tax (before Japanese income tax and social-insurance deductions). Flight (duty) allowances are paid on top of base pay — a regional-aviation allowance for Captains and a regional-route allowance for First Officers. Performance-linked bonuses are paid two to three times per year, overnight/layover duty allowances are paid separately depending on the route, and loss-of-license insurance (covering both on- and off-duty) is provided.
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–¥4.5M | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | ¥7M–¥8.6M | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | ¥8M–¥9.5M | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | ¥8.9M–¥10.5M | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | ¥14M–¥15.8M | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | ¥15.1M–¥16.9M | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | ¥16.2M–¥18M | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
Routes fan out from two bases: from Shizuoka to destinations such as Sapporo, Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Naha, and from Nagoya Komaki to Niigata, Aomori, Akita, Hanamaki and more. Many are direct inter-regional services that major carriers find hard to run profitably, and the ANA codeshare connects them into the nationwide network. Flying regionally builds a distinctive skill set: precise handling of the small Embraer E175 jet, landing technique for a wide variety of regional airports (short runways, mountainous terrain, special approach procedures, and more), sharpened CRM within small crew complements, and a strong sense of mission from directly serving local residents and tourists.
Embraer E175 (84-seat regional jet) and E175-E2 (80-seat next-generation type), operated from the Shizuoka and Komaki bases (FSZ / NKM hubs). Every aircraft wears a different colorful livery.
FDA conducts Embraer E175 type-rating training, where crews master the systems, Proline avionics and FMS operation unique to this Brazilian-built regional jet. Transition training to the E175-E2 is also in place.
Operational training at a wide range of regional airports (short runways, mountainous terrain, special approach procedures and more). Pilots learn the characteristics of airports across the country and hone the skill to land safely anywhere.
In line with the ANA codeshare, training ensures consistency with ANA operating procedures, delivering ANA brand quality in everyday operations.
Because the company is relatively small, upgrade opportunities tend to be comparatively frequent. Recurrent proficiency checks once or twice a year confirm continuous skill improvement.
Discounted FDA tickets for employees and their families. Discounts can also be used on ANA codeshare flights.
A bright, open workplace culture symbolized by the individually colored aircraft. Its small scale gives it a family-like atmosphere.
Enrollment in the health-insurance society, pilot-specific health-management support, and full loss-of-license insurance.
A retirement lump-sum scheme and corporate pension are in place, with generous benefit design based on years of service.
Childcare leave and reduced-hours working systems are in place, with a track record of male pilots taking childcare leave.
Type-rating training costs are covered by FDA, as are the costs of transition training to the E175-E2. A continuing-education support program is provided.
Hiring status: Experienced-hire recruitment for First Officers and Captains — confirm current openings on the FDA official site (as of March 2026).
Hiring availability varies by period — please confirm current openings on the FDA official website.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) 🇯🇵 | ¥14M–¥18M | ¥7M–¥10.5M | ~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.
Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) captain pay averages about ¥16M per year (range ¥14M–¥18M), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) first officer pay averages about ¥8.5M per year (range ¥7M–¥10.5M), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Fuji Dream Airlines Pilot Recruitment — First Officer (F/O) / Captain — experienced-hire. Key requirements — Eligibility: Holder of a Commercial Pilot License (multi-engine, instrument) or an Airline Transport Pilot License; Base: Shizuoka Airport or Nagoya Komaki Airport; English: Aviation English Proficiency Level 4 or above. Hiring availability varies by period — please confirm current openings on the FDA official website.
Fuji Dream Airlines (FDA) captains average ¥16M, versus roughly ¥27M at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.