Brussels Airlines pilot recruitment
SN / BEL
The Belgian flag carrier, formed in 2006, a 100% subsidiary of the Lufthansa group since 2017, known for its African network inherited from the former Sabena.
Brussels Airlines fleet, hub and head office
47
Aircraft in the fleet
2006
Founded
Head office
Diegem (Brussels Airport), Belgium
Main hub
Brussels National (Zaventem)
Fleet (aircraft types operated)
Airbus A319/A320; A330
Pilot recruitment at Brussels Airlines
Subsidiary of the Lufthansa group. Recruits qualified pilots, with possible pathways to the group's training programmes (Lufthansa Aviation Training).
Fleet: 47 aircraft as of 31 December 2025, according to Lufthansa Group, annual report 2025 (fleet). Recruitment information is given as a guide only (public sources, subject to change over time): always check the current conditions on the airline's careers site.
History of Brussels Airlines
Formed in 2006 from the merger of SN Brussels Airlines and Virgin Express, itself heir to the historic Sabena (founded in 1923, defunct in 2001), Brussels Airlines became a 100% subsidiary of the Lufthansa group in 2017. It keeps a particularly dense European and African network, a direct legacy of Sabena.
Pay and conditions, from public sources
Figures published by the airline, pilot unions or the press, each one dated (last update: October 2026). For information only.
- Pay deal: the pilots' gross pay scale is revised in two stages, a first increase in 2024 and a second planned for 2026; amounts were not made public (March 2024).
- The deal averted a four-day strike planned for 27–30 March 2024; management had initially wanted any rise tied to fewer rest days (March 2024).
- Working time and rest: a working party was set up to look separately at pilots' working hours and rest periods (March 2024).
- MPL cadet programme: about 19 months of training with Skywings at Antwerp Airport, A320 type rating included, then a first officer contract on the A320; cost €112,500 including VAT, payable in three instalments (October 2026).
- Cadet criteria: EU passport, fluent English plus French and/or Dutch, ability to obtain a Class 1 medical, certificate of good conduct and secondary-school diploma; applications for the 2027 intake close on 1 November 2026 (October 2026).
- Cadet selection: application screening, aptitude test, written and oral English test, psychological test, maths and physics test, then an HR interview (October 2026).
Sources read (3)
Preparing for psychometric tests before a selection
Some pilot selections include psychometric tests. ForAllPilots does not say whether Brussels Airlines uses them, or which ones: none of the series below is presented as Brussels Airlines's.
To practise anyway, the site offers several series of exercises, included with the ATPL subscription. They are practice exercises, not official tests: ForAllPilots is not affiliated with any airline or any test publisher, and the exact rules or scoring may differ.
- BQ psychometric tests: cubes, matrices and word problems
- CUT E / AON psychometric tests: deductive reasoning, landing and tunnel
- COMPASS psychometric tests: flying a flight display and orientation
- DLR psychometric tests: spatial orientation, vigilance and perception
Blog guides to practise with
Prepare your theory: BIA, PPL and ATPL questions
Whether you are aiming for Brussels Airlines or another airline, the ForAllPilots revision bank covers the BIA, the PPL and the ATPL.
Start revisingBy licence:BIA question bank (FR)PPL question bank (FR)ATPL question bank (FR)
Other airlines
ForAllPilots is an independent site: it is not affiliated with Brussels Airlines or any other airline, and publishes no job offers. To apply, go through the airline's careers site.