Vueling Airlines — Spain's largest LCC, part of the IAG Group
An Vueling Airlines captain earns an average of $108K per year, typically $75K–$151K. First officers average $60K ($43K–$87K). Figures are gross annual pay, before tax. Figures are as of March 2026.
Vueling Airlines is Spain's largest LCC and part of the IAG Group (the same group as British Airways and Iberia). Using Barcelona–El Prat Airport as its main base, it serves all of Europe as well as North Africa and the Middle East. Its fleet is kept simple and standardized on the A320 family. Based in Spain, it has a strong Mediterranean network, and Barcelona—one of Europe's leading tourism and business cities—offers an excellent living environment.
* 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 |
$75K–$151K |
$108K | Pre-tax |
| First Officer Seniority-based |
$43K–$87K |
$60K | Seniority-based |
Pay is denominated in EUR and quoted pre-tax, with conversions based on EUR/JPY = 163. Spanish income tax reaches up to 47%. Compensation follows a seniority-based system, with duty pay / productivity bonuses tied to flight hours and legs. The cost of living in Barcelona is on the higher side, but among European LCCs the employment environment is relatively stable.
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 | $19K–$28K | est. |
| First Officer — Junior | 3–5 yrs | $43K–$63K | est. |
| First Officer — Mid | 6–10 yrs | $55K–$75K | est. |
| First Officer — Senior | 11–15 yrs | $67K–$87K | est. |
| Captain — New | 15–18 yrs | $75K–$109K | est. |
| Captain — Mid | 19–24 yrs | $97K–$130K | est. |
| Senior Captain | 25+ yrs | $117K–$151K | est. |
| Management / Instructor / Examiner | — | Data wanted | crowd-sourced |
From its Barcelona hub, Vueling flies across all of Europe (France, Italy, Germany, the UK and more), North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, etc.) and the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, etc.). It also covers domestic routes.
Airbus A321neo, A320neo, A320ceo and A319. Around 130 aircraft.
Conducted at an EASA-certified ATO. At LCCs, some contract arrangements require the pilot to cover part or all of the type-rating cost, so confirm the terms in advance.
After obtaining the type rating, line training is flown with an instructor captain on board. At an LCC with many short-haul routes, pilots can build up their leg count relatively quickly.
One to two checks per year based on EASA standards. LCCs are held to the same safety standards.
FO-to-Captain upgrade typically requires a minimum of around 4,000–5,000 flight hours. LCCs can also offer more frequent upgrade opportunities.
Discounted or complimentary travel on Vueling flights, frequently extended to group and partner airlines.
Basic medical insurance (in Europe, combined with the EHIC / public healthcare systems).
Duty pay or a productivity bonus, usually tied to flight hours and number of legs.
At least 20 days based on EU directives, in accordance with each country's laws.
An allowance for working at your chosen base city (London, Madrid, etc.).
A Mediterranean climate, beaches and cultural richness—living based in Barcelona, one of Europe's most popular places to live.
Hiring status: Recruiting on an ongoing basis. Open to holders of an EASA ATPL; A320 type-rating holders preferred.
There are opportunities to transfer within the IAG Group (BA, Iberia, etc.). Speaking Spanish makes it easier to settle into the work environment.
| Airline | Captain (range) | First Officer | Income Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vueling Airlines 🇪🇸 | $75K–$151K | $43K–$87K | Income tax applies |
| ANA 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~33% (Japan) |
| JAL 🇯🇵 | $138K–$220K | $88K–$132K | ~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.
Vueling Airlines captain pay averages about $108K per year (range $75K–$151K), pre-tax. Figures are reference values based on public data and industry benchmarks.
Vueling Airlines first officer pay averages about $60K per year (range $43K–$87K), pre-tax, rising with seniority — see the Career Ladder above for the year-by-year breakdown.
Captain / First Officer (Ongoing Recruitment) — European routes. Barcelona / Madrid base.. Key requirements — License: EASA ATPL (AESA-approved); English: ICAO Level 4 or above; Min. Flight Hours: Captain: 4,000+ hrs (guideline); Type Rating: A320 family preferred. There are opportunities to transfer within the IAG Group (BA, Iberia, etc.). Speaking Spanish makes it easier to settle into the work environment.
Vueling Airlines captains average $108K, versus roughly $170K at ANA / JAL. Both figures are pre-tax; Japan applies ~33% income tax.
Dividing the annual average by 12, Vueling Airlines captains earn about $9K a month and first officers about $5K. What actually lands each month moves with block hours flown, and where an annual bonus is paid the regular monthly figure sits lower with a spike in the bonus month.
Vueling Airlines first officers average $60K and captains $108K — a step of about $48K, or roughly 1.8×. The full range runs $43K to $151K, and where you sit inside it is set by seniority, type rating and the routes you fly. The seniority table on this page breaks the same range into career stages.
Every figure on this page is gross, before income tax. Captains average $108K and first officers $60K pre-tax, and income tax, social insurance and any local levies come out of that. Take-home depends on where you are resident and on your own deductions, so no single percentage applies. Airlines based in countries with no personal income tax — the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia — leave more of the same gross figure in your hand.
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Pilot salary in Spain 2 airlines · captain avg $136K