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 this justified? The salary check shows the details.
A mediation attempt between the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots' union and Lufthansa management has ended without a resolution. The talks focused on pension and salary issues for pilots at Lufthansa Classic, Lufthansa Cargo, and Eurowings, as well as a social plan for Lufthansa Cityline cockpit personnel. With no agreement reached, attention turns to a parallel moderation process scheduled until November 15, which will address broader conflict issues affecting all Lufthansa Group airlines.
If no solution is found, new strikes may occur next year. Pilots at Lufthansa and Eurowings are among the top earners, with starting salaries for First Officers at €88,600 and €70,200 respectively, and potential annual earnings of up to €281,300 and €202,300 for captains.
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
