Pilot salary: This is what Lufthansa pilots earn in 2026
Pilots at the Lufthansa Group nowhere earn as much as they do at the core brand Lufthansa Airlines. Nevertheless, they are dissatisfied. Is that justified? The salary check shows the details.
Lufthansa pilots and management are in conflict over retirement benefits, with the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union filing a complaint with the Cologne District Court. The dispute follows a strike wave in the first quarter and April that cost the airline around 200 million euros. The VC claims the company's cancellation of an agreement allowing pilots to take time off for union work is a severe attack, while management cites the airline's financial struggles.
Lufthansa pilots are among the highest-paid in the industry, with first officers starting at 88,600 euros per year and captains earning up to 281,300 euros.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Pilotengehalt: Das verdienen Lufthansa-Piloten 2026 handelsblatt.com
