Ryanair: pilot interview prep

The essentials

Group CEO

Michael O'Leary (head of Ryanair since 1994)

Head office

Dublin, Ireland

Airlines (AOCs)

Ryanair DAC, Ryanair UK, Malta Air, Buzz (Poland), Lauda Europe (Malta)

Fleet

647 aircraft at 02/09/2026: 411 Boeing 737-800s, 210 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 "Gamechangers", 26 Airbus A320s (Lauda)

Orders

Up to 300 Boeing 737 MAX 10s (150 firm + 150 options), first deliveries planned for spring 2027

The fleet

• Boeing 737-800: 189 seats
• Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 "Gamechanger": 197 seats, extra overwing exits
• Boeing 737 MAX 10 (coming): 228 seats
• Airbus A320 at Lauda Europe

Key dates

• 1984: founded in Ireland by Tony Ryan.
• 1985: first flight, Waterford – London Gatwick.
• 1994: Michael O'Leary becomes CEO and turns Ryanair into a Southwest-style low-cost airline.
• 2021: first Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 delivered (June).
• 2026: 210th and final MAX 8-200 delivered (February); Europe's largest airline group by passengers.

Good to know

• Almost all-Boeing 737 fleet: one type rating for most pilots.
• Very low-cost model: 25-minute turnarounds, high utilization, secondary airports.
• The 737 MAX 8-200 was developed with Boeing for Ryanair (launched in 2014).

How to prepare

• Know the 737 NG / MAX: systems, differences, MCAS.
• Show you are comfortable with short turnarounds and high punctuality.
• Understand the multi-AOC model and mobility between bases.

Questions to prepare

• Why Ryanair rather than another airline?
• What do you know about Ryanair's fleet and how it is changing?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years at Ryanair?
• The Ryanair model: what are the pros and cons for a young pilot?

Recruitment

Rolling recruitment Low-hour and type-rated 737 first officers

Rolling recruitment, several assessment sessions a year.

Usually: CPL(A) with multi-engine IR, ATPL theory, MCC, ICAO English level 4 minimum. Type rating often paid by the candidate.

Typical assessment: online tests, technical and HR interview, 737 simulator. Always check the airline's website before applying.

Ryanair careers site