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Join Balpa

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
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.

Commentary

A day in the life of a Holiday Airline pilot

18 Sep 2023

I am currently a Captain flying the Boeing 737 for one of the UK’s largest holiday airlines. Since completing my flight training, nearly 15 years ago now, I have flown regional turboprops and jets before landing in my current role… the time has flown by (I promise these are the last intentional puns!) Being based […]

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News

BALPA’s part in debate on Flight School closures

13 Sep 2023

“The Government needs to step up and protect students that are so vital to the future of the UK aviation industry.” – Miranda Rackley, BALPA’s Interim General Secretary. That was the message in a statement from BALPA, read to MP’s at a Westminster Hall debate yesterday on the subject of flight school collapses. As part […]

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News

BALPA Announcement: Captain Paul Naylor

22 Aug 2023

BALPA is deeply saddened to announce the unexpected and untimely death of its Executive President, Paul Naylor, who died peacefully last night surrounded by his close family. Paul was a Captain for easyJet based in Belfast, and had been flying commercially for 28 years, both with easyJet and Airtours. He became a BALPA representative in 2005, joining the […]

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News

Summer 2023 – BALPA Position on Flight Training

21 Aug 2023

In 2023 we have seen increased recruitment across a large portion of UK and European airlines. This recruitment need is predominantly being met by experienced pilots, however we are delighted to see a proportion of those jobs being filled by pilots who have not previously held a commercial flying position. This follows a period of […]

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News

BALPA welcomes announcement by British Airways that it is starting a new pilot training scheme

25 Jul 2023

BALPA has welcomed British Airways fully funded pilot training scheme, allowing aspiring pilots the chance to become a pilot without requiring the extremely high course costs. Training costs can climb to over £120,000, severely limiting the socio-economic diversity of those entering the profession. The scheme will help break down the barriers to the career, which have grown […]

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News

Pilots demand Government protect trainee pilots from losing tens of thousands of pounds from flight school collapses 

22 Jun 2023

Pilots demand Government protect trainee pilots from losing tens of thousands of pounds from flight school collapses  Following the collapse of three UK flight schools in the first half of 2023, The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) and aviation industry representatives have launched a campaign to ensure proper financial regulation of flight schools and secure […]

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Commentary

A day in the life of a flying father

18 Jun 2023

Juggling home life and a flying career can be tricky. For Father’s Day, BALPA member and pilot, Simon Williams, takes a look at what life as a dad and a pilot really looks like:  It’s Day 5 of 5. The usual roster shenanigans have occurred during this block of work resulting in me finishing Day […]

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Commentary

A day in the life of a Cargo pilot

15 Jun 2023

When I was approached with a request that I write about “a day/night in the life of a freight Pilot”, I started to wonder – what actually is a normal day? Is there such a thing in the freight world? How would I best describe this job to an outsider? Actually, why is that I […]

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