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.
The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots' union and Lufthansa management have failed to reach an agreement in a conciliation process over issues including pilots' pensions, pay, and a social plan for Lufthansa Cityline cockpit staff. The talks, which were aimed at resolving a long-standing conflict, ended without a solution or a binding arbitration decision.
A parallel mediation process is set to continue until November 15, which will address broader conflict issues affecting all Lufthansa Group airlines. If no agreement is reached, new strikes may occur next year. Lufthansa pilots are among the highest-paid in the industry, with first officers starting at €88,600 per year and captains earning up to €281,300 per year.
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.
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- Pilot salary: This is what Lufthansa pilots earn in 2026 handelsblatt.com
