About This Role
Wizz Air UK is running a 2026 Expression of Interest to recruit experienced Airbus A320-family Direct Entry Captains from the USA and Canada who hold UK or Irish citizenship or ancestry, offering a sponsored UK licence conversion and relocation to the United Kingdom. Captains are based at London Luton or London Gatwick and fly a growing fleet (currently 18 A321neo plus the first three A321XLR, with plans to expand to 50 aircraft). The operation is built around almost exclusively two-sector out-and-back days that return crew home every night, worked on random or fixed 5-on/4-off rosters, with the option to live up to 90 minutes from base (covering areas such as London, Oxford, Cambridge and the Cotswolds). The airline supports FAA (or other ICAO) to UK CAA licence conversion, running assessments in the USA and allowing 12 months to complete the UK CAA written exams and obtain an initial UK medical before the start date, with certain conversion costs reimbursed after joining and access to an online study course provided.
Duties & Responsibilities
- As a Direct Entry Captain you will command Airbus A320-family passenger flights (A321neo and A321XLR) from a London Luton or London Gatwick base, operating a schedule built almost exclusively around two-sector out-and-back days that return to base every night, flown on random or fixed 5-on/4-off rosters.
- You will hold pilot-in-command responsibility on a growing fleet as the operation expands toward 50 aircraft.
What We Offer
Wizz Air UK sponsors the FAA (or other ICAO) to UK CAA licence conversion, provides access to an online study course, and reimburses certain conversion costs once you join, allowing 12 months to complete the UK CAA written exams and initial medical after passing a US-based assessment.The role offers relocation to the UK and a lifestyle built around out-and-back days that get crew home every night, with the option to live up to 90 minutes from London Luton or London Gatwick.Captain starting pay is around £150,000 including flight pay, rising to over £200,000 with seniority, on a fleet growing toward 50 aircraft.
Requirements
- Direct Entry Captain applicants must currently be actively flying the Airbus A320 in an airline environment and hold a minimum of 2,000 hours A320 pilot-in-command (PIC) time, and must already be A320 type-rated. All applicants must hold a full ATP/ATPL — an FAA, Transport Canada (TCAA), CASA or other ICAO-state licence is acceptable — which Wizz Air UK will help convert to a UK CAA licence. Eligibility is restricted to UK or Irish citizens, or applicants with British or Irish grandparents, who can obtain a UK Ancestry Visa or a UK/Irish passport
- EU residency alone does not grant the right to work in the UK. Candidates must be willing to relocate to the London area (London Luton or London Gatwick base) and, after passing a US-based assessment, complete the UK CAA written examinations and obtain an initial UK medical within 12 months before their start date. (The same recruitment form also advertises separate Senior First Officer streams — minimum 1,500 hours multi-crew time with a full ATP for UK/Irish-ancestry applicants, or minimum 2,000 jet hours for Canadian, Australian or New Zealand citizens aged 18-35 — which are distinct roles from this Captain vacancy.)