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Selection step 1: DLR certificate (or SPHAIR certificate)Practise this phase
Swiss International Air Lines offers an ab initio training programme for commercial pilots. Candidates are recruited in accordance with the LHG recruitment process in close cooperation and exchanges with the European Flight Academy. If selected, candidates complete their training with Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland AG.1
The SWISS ab initio training programme
What is the ab initio training programme?
The ab initio training programme is for a commercial pilot with SWISS. If you are selected, you will complete your training with Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland AG. The practical phases take place in Phoenix, USA, and in Germany or Switzerland.1
How much does the training cost?
According to the SWISS fact sheet from 2024, the total training costs amount to CHF 140,000. The costs are due in 3 instalments before the respective step in the training. You are responsible for the costs for the DLR certificate and for the medical check.1
How do the financing options work?
If you pass the selection process, including the Pre-Airline Fit, and are allocated a course at LAT, you will receive a corresponding framework agreement from SWISS. In it, the intent to employ and the assurance of a loan are contractually recorded. The fact sheet from 2024 describes a financing option you can choose. Under this option, Swiss candidates pay a first instalment of CHF 15,000 before starting training, and a second instalment of CHF 20,000 is due after 8 months of training. SWISS will grant a training loan of CHF 45,000 plus a maximum of 1% interest, and Swiss candidates also have the benefit of financial aid from the Swiss Confederation amounting to CHF 60,000. If you are not a Swiss national, SWISS will grant you a training loan of CHF 69,000 plus a maximum interest rate of 1%, and you will benefit from financial support from the Swiss Confederation as per VFAL amounting to CHF 36,000. The loan debt falls due when you join SWISS, and is normally repaid in monthly instalments. SWISS expects student pilots to meet all the eligibility requirements for subsidies, and the financial contributions are subject to the provisions of the current Ordinance on Financial Aid for Aviation Training (VFAL).1
About SWISS
SWISS is a full-service airline based in Switzerland. Its airline codes are LX (IATA) and SWR (ICAO). Pilots at SWISS fly types such as the Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321, Airbus A321neo and 4 other types. The operation is built around Zurich (ZRH) and Geneva (GVA). It belongs to Lufthansa.
Its cadet route is the Ab initio training: commercial pilot with SWISS (European Flight Academy). Programme partner: European Flight Academy / Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland. Pilot vacancies are published on a careers portal, linked in the profile on this page. The selection is described stage by stage on this page.
The five phases
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EFA application
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Selection step 2: LHG assessment
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Pre-Airline FitPractise this phase
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Medical
Where to train for SWISS
2 flight schools have a published link with this airline. Each entry says what the link is and who states it.
Lufthansa Aviation TrainingGrenchen, SwitzerlandAirline cadet partnerNamed by the airline
AELO Swiss AcademyGordola, SwitzerlandCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
SWISS at a glance
Part of Lufthansa- IATA / ICAO
- LX / SWR2
- Country
- Switzerland
- Hubs
- Zurich (ZRH), Geneva (GVA)2
- Fleet
- Airbus A220, Airbus A320, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A330-300, Airbus A340-300, Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777-300ER2
- Cadet programme
- Ab initio training: commercial pilot with SWISS (European Flight Academy) (rolling as of 28 Oct 2026)13
SALARYFirst officer (starting): CHF 89'000 (starting pay for a co-pilot joining SWISS, 2025)Captain (long service): CHF 220'000 per year (pay for captains with long enough service, 2025)All pilots (range): CHF 89'000 to CHF 220'000 (range under the 2023 agreement by seniority and aircraft, 2023)SWISS pilot salary
What does SWISS ask of pilots?
- Age
- Minimum 17 years1
- English
- Fluent, at least Level B2 / ICAO Level 41
- German
- Minimum Level B2 in German1
- Nationality
- CH, EFTA or EU citizen (EU: 26 countries without restriction / Croatia only with Swiss settlement permit, permit C)1
- Education
- General higher education entrance qualification (secondary school-leaving certificate), technical/vocational baccalaureate, or examination-free admission to a university of applied sciences (FH) or college of higher education (HF)1
Key requirements listed by SWISS
You need a DLR certificate, and evidence must be provided at the beginning of the application with the appropriate rating. Applicants who are subject to compulsory military service must have completed basic training or civilian service before commencing training. Your height must be between 160 cm and 198 cm. SWISS lists all conditions in its ab initio fact sheet.1
Where does the training take place?
If you are selected, you will complete your training with Lufthansa Aviation Training Switzerland AG. The practical phase in the USA takes place in Phoenix, and practical phases also take place in Germany or Switzerland. You may state your preferred training location (Germany or Switzerland) during the assessment.1
What is included in the training costs?
These training costs include a range of services. This includes 12 months of theory training excluding accommodation, theory exam and licensing with the aviation authority, and learning resources and documents including iPad. The costs also cover travel service for flight tickets to the USA, a uniform, and access to Campus+. Furthermore, the fee includes the second selection step at the Assessment Center Lufthansa Group, the radio certificate for the aviation radio service, and ICAO language tests.1
Are medical certificates required to apply?
Aviation medical fitness evidence does not have to be provided at the beginning of the application. The medical check must be carried out in the country where the licence is to be acquired, which is at SWISS Medical Services in Kloten.1
- 1“Ab initio” training: Commercial pilot with SWISS (fact sheet) · Swiss International Air Lines · published 5 Mar 2024 · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 2Swiss International Air Lines - Wikipedia · accessed 11 Oct 2026
- 3Requirements and Selection Process for training in Switzerland - European Flight Academy · accessed 10 Oct 2026
