About Ryanair UK

Ryanair UK is a low-cost airline from the United Kingdom. Its airline codes are RK (IATA) and RUK (ICAO). Pilots at Ryanair UK fly types such as the Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8-200. The operation is built around London Stansted (STN). Ryanair UK is part of Ryanair, which has its own page on this site.

The careers portal for pilots is linked in the profile on this page. The requirements section on this page covers right to work, age, licence, medical certificate, flying hours, education and language. The selection is described stage by stage on this page.

The three phases

• Ryanair

Ryanair UK at a glance

IATA / ICAO

RK / RUK1

Country

United Kingdom

Hubs

London Stansted (STN)1

Fleet

Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8-2001

What does Ryanair UK ask of pilots?

Right to work

Cadet programme: unrestricted right to live and work in the EU and/or UK4

Age

Cadet programme: not over 654

Licence

Cadet programme: EASA CPL with frozen ATPL and/or dual UK and EASA licence (UK-only licence holders fly only for the Ryanair UK fleet); EASA multi-engine instrument rating, AUPRT and APS MCC certificates4

Medical

Cadet programme: valid EU Part-MED Class 1 medical4

Hours

Cadet programme: modular candidates 100 hours PIC, or 70 hours PIC after integrated training4

Education

Cadet programme: flight school report in English signed by the Head of Training, with all ATPL results4

Language

ICAO English Level 4 (operational), including written proficiency4

1. 1Ryanair UK | Wikipedia · accessed 11 Oct 2026
2. 2Direct Entry Pilots | Ryanair Careers · accessed 11 Oct 2026
3. 3Ryanair homepage · accessed 11 Oct 2026
4. 4AFA B737 Cadet Pilots - Bases Throughout Europe & RUK · accessed 11 Oct 2026
5. 5Group Airlines | Ryanair Careers · accessed 11 Oct 2026