Singapore Airlines pilot recruitment

SQ / SIA

Singapore's national airline and a Star Alliance member, operating a mainly long-haul global network from Changi, including some of the world's longest non-stop flights.

Singapore Airlines fleet, hub and head office

1947

Founded

Head office

Airline House, Changi, Singapore

Main hub

Singapore Changi

Fleet (aircraft types operated)

Airbus A350-900 (including A350-900ULR), A380-800; Boeing 777-300ER, 787-10 and 737-8; Boeing 747-400F and 777F freighters

Pilot recruitment at Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines recruits Ab Initio Cadet Pilots in Singapore: GCE 'A' level, diploma or degree (or at least 5 GCE 'O' level credits including English, Mathematics and a science), limited and correctable myopia and astigmatism, and a minimum height of 1.58 m. Selection includes an online application, a computer assessment, interviews and a medical. Training takes place at Singapore Flying College, in Singapore and overseas, with a monthly allowance, followed by further training to become a First Officer; a service bond covers the training period and 7 years from appointment as First Officer. The airline also hires direct-entry First Officers and Captains on fixed-term contracts, rated on the A350 or A380 (ATPL recognised or validatable by the CAAS); direct-entry Second Officer recruitment is closed. Check conditions and openings on the singaporeair.com careers page.

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 Singapore Airlines

The airline traces its roots to Malayan Airways, founded in 1947, which became Malaysia-Singapore Airlines in 1966. After the business was split between Malaysia and Singapore, Singapore Airlines began flying under its own name on 1 October 1972. It joined Star Alliance in 2000 and in 2007 became the first airline to operate the Airbus A380.

Pay and conditions, from public sources

Figures published by the airline, pilot unions or the press, each one dated (last update: May 2025). For information only.

Pay: Singapore Airlines does not publish figures; it only states that cadets receive a monthly allowance during training, followed by a salary with allowances and benefits once appointed First Officer (page consulted October 2026).
Profit sharing: for FY2024-25, Singapore Airlines staff received a bonus of about 7.45 months' salary, down from 7.94 months the year before (May 2025).
Cadet bond: cadets must serve the length of training plus 7 years from their appointment as First Officer (page consulted October 2026).
Training: it takes place at the Singapore Flying College, in Singapore and overseas (page consulted October 2026).
Cadet selection: online application, interviews, a simulator assessment and a medical check, among other stages (page consulted October 2026).
Experienced first officers: Singapore Airlines hires direct-entry First Officers on fixed-term contracts of up to 12 months, requiring an ATPL, an A350 or A380 type rating, at least 1,500 hours on the A350/A380 (3,000 preferred), two years as First Officer on those types and ICAO English level 5 (page consulted October 2026).
Direct-entry selection: interviews, a simulator assessment and medical examinations; recruits are placed on the A350 or A380 fleet (page consulted October 2026).

Sources read (3)

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Preparing for psychometric tests before a selection

Some pilot selections include psychometric tests. ForAllPilots does not say whether Singapore Airlines uses them, or which ones: none of the series below is presented as Singapore 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.

Blog guides to practise with

Prepare your theory: BIA, PPL and ATPL questions

Whether you are aiming for Singapore Airlines or another airline, the ForAllPilots revision bank covers the BIA, the PPL and the ATPL.

Start revising

By 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 Singapore Airlines or any other airline, and publishes no job offers. To apply, go through the airline's careers site.