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The Voice of UK Pilots: Safety, Strength, Unity.

BALPA is the voice of pilots across the UK, providing you support, guidance and a community

More than 85% of UK Pilots On Board.

We’re here to help & advise at every stage of your career Discover our memberships

Improving Industry Standards.

From Brexit’s impact on aviation, to flight safety and sustainability, we campaign on behalf of all UK pilots Explore our campaigns

BECOMING A PILOT THE INSIDE TRACK

BALPA stands as the primary representation for UK pilots. Explore our comprehensive and dedicated guide on the path to becoming a pilot. Find out more about becoming a pilot
About BALPA

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) is the professional association and registered trade union established to represent the interests of all UK pilots.

We represent over 10,000 pilots and are recognised in 20 different companies; that’s over 85% of all commercial pilots flying in the UK. The association holds the largest collective resource of commercial pilot qualification and experience in the UK.

85%
Of Commercial uk pilots are balpa Members
20
Recognised in 20 companies
50 million +
Our members have flown more than 50 million hours
Learn more about us
What we do

As the voice of pilots, BALPA actively campaigns to achieve and maintain the best possible working conditions and safety standards for all UK pilots.

We are run by pilots for pilots and have expert staff and resources on hand to provide legal advice and representation, industrial support, to scrutinise and highlight flight safety, provide advice on employment issues and offer personal support.

By joining BALPA you’re joining the UK’s biggest and most active community of fellow pilots, that uses its well established links to ensure your voice is heard by MPs, airlines and regulators.

Our Campaigns

Why Join as a Member?

  • Legal representation
  • Industrial support: have a say on pay and benefits
  • Career management advice and bespoke resources
  • Access to BALPA website, portal and apps
  • Access to BALPA publications including newsletters and The Log magazine

Latest News & Views.

News

Bristow pilots and technical crew accept pay deal

14 Aug 2024

The British Airline Pilots’ Association is pleased to announce that members at Bristow Helicopters have overwhelmingly accepted a multi- year pay deal and agreement on terms and conditions of employment. It follows over a year of negotiations and extensive industrial action that showed the strength of feeling and solidarity amongst the oil and gas and […]

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News

BALPA welcomes Government’s ambition to make aviation more accessible

30 Jul 2024

Responding to the Government’s Reach for the Sky program, designed to encourage young people into an aviation career, BALPA’s General Secretary Amy Leversidge said: “BALPA welcomes the new Government’s ambition to enable young people to pursue aviation careers that would otherwise not be open them. Crucially, Government recognises the financial constraints for aspiring pilots. The […]

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News

BALPA Welcomes the end to ‘Fire and Re-hire’

17 Jul 2024

BALPA welcomes the decisive action to end the unfair practice of fire and re-hire within the first 100 days of the new government in today’s #KingsSpeech. We’ve long advocated for this ban, standing firm in our commitment to protect workers’ rights. Over 2 years on from the P&O scandal, BALPA joined Nautilus International, the Trades […]

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Commentary

Navigating Political Shifts and Seizing Opportunities in Aviation 

12 Jul 2024

From instant reactions and expert analyses to essential insights, it’s been impossible to miss the headlines since the 4th of July: a new Prime Minister, a new government, and a huge political shake-up. Parties across the board are coming to terms with the implications of this changing political landscape. For BALPA, it signifies opportunity. Our […]

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News

BALPA sends message of solidarity to Aer Lingus pilots

27 Jun 2024

Through our links with IFALPA, BALPA is part of a global family of pilots. Today we are sending messages of support to members in our sister association IALPA (Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association). Showing solidarity BALPA has been informed by IALPA that Aer Lingus pilots served formal notice to Aer Lingus management informing the airline that […]

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News

BALPA calls on politicians to support its aviation manifesto

17 Jun 2024

The British Airline Pilots’ Association is asking political candidates to signal support for its manifesto for aviation.  BALPA, which represents 10,000 UK pilots, calls for four key policy areas to be addressed by the next Government:  Make the pilot profession more accessible by addressing the extremely high cost of training (up to £130,000) and protecting […]

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Commentary

ACAS: A Mediator, Not a Magic Bullet

29 May 2024

History:  When it was renamed in the 1970s, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) wasn’t totally new.  Still, a big change came in 1974 when the service was rebranded as ACAS and decoupled from direct government control with an independent council established to oversee its operation.  The Employment Protection Act of 1976 provided the […]

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News

Response to Bristow Helicopters question in Parliament

16 May 2024

In response to the oral question to the Aviation Minister Anthony Browne in Parliament today, and his commitment to meet with Bristow (available below), BALPA General Secretary Amy Leversidge said: “We welcome the support from politicians for our striking members. “When Government meets with Bristow we expect Ministers to outline that companies and management with […]

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Thinking About Becoming a Pilot?

Read the comprehensive guide on what it takes to become a pilot, and the main obstacles to consider.