- Major New Zealand airline careers include pilots (First Officers & Captains), cabin crew / flight attendants, aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs / licensed engineers), and airport & ground operations roles (baggage handling, check-in, customer service, cargo, ramp). For airline corporate teams there are also roles in operations, engineering, finance, IT, HR and cargo.
- Salaries vary widely by role and experience: pilots and senior engineers sit at the top of the pay scale; cabin crew, ground staff and entry-level roles are lower but still competitive by NZ standards. (Detailed ranges below.)
- If you’re overseas, some aviation roles can be filled with sponsored employees — but visa rules and employer accreditation (e.g., Accredited Employer Work Visa / AEWV) are the critical constraints. Many vacancies intended for on-island hires, especially cabin crew for national carriers, prefer or require NZ/Australian citizens or residents.
Who’s hiring now (2026 snapshot)
- Air New Zealand — ongoing hiring cycles for pilots, engineering, airport operations and customer-facing roles. Their careers portal lists roles across airports and functions.
- Regional & low-cost carriers — smaller operators and regional airlines (domestic fleets, turboprops, short-haul jets) often recruit First Officers and ground staff.
- Ground handling companies & airports — companies operating check-in, baggage, and ramp services at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and regional airports hire year-round.
- MROs (Maintenance Repair & Overhaul) and third-party maintenance organisations — steady demand for licensed aircraft engineers and technicians.
Salary table — realistic 2026 ranges (New Zealand dollars, annual)
These are indicative market ranges built from New Zealand job and salary sources (Seek, industry salary surveys and employer reports). Use them as a planning tool — actual pay depends on airline, fleet type, experience and roster allowances.
| Role (typical) | Typical NZ$ Annual Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airline First Officer (regional narrowbody turboprop) | NZ$70,000 – NZ$110,000 | Entry/regional FOs at lower end. See pilot salary market. |
| Airline First Officer (major narrowbody/widebody) | NZ$86,000 – NZ$160,000 | Air NZ first officer ranges shown in job reports. |
| Airline Captain (senior, major operator) | NZ$150,000 – NZ$320,000+ | Wide variation with aircraft type and years of command. |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Licensed) | NZ$80,000 – NZ$130,000 | Experienced LAMEs at airlines / MROs often above NZ$100k. |
| Flight Attendant / Cabin Crew | NZ$45,000 – NZ$80,000 | Entry-level domestic roles to senior cabin managers/long-haul allowances. |
| Baggage Handler / Ramp / Ground Ops | NZ$42,000 – NZ$60,000 | Includes shift allowances / overtime; varies by airport and employer. |
| Airport Customer Service / Check-in Agent | NZ$45,000 – NZ$65,000 | Depends on seniority and language skills. |
| Airline Corporate (IT / Finance / HR) | NZ$60,000 – NZ$160,000 | Professional roles aligned to market pay bands. |
(Sources: Seek pilot & flight attendant salary pages, aircraft maintenance engineer surveys and career sites.)
Age, minimums & fitness — the entry rules
Cabin crew / flight attendants
- Minimum age: In New Zealand most airlines require applicants to be at least 18 years old at the time of application. This is a consistent industry minimum across Air New Zealand and other regional carriers.
- Maximum age: There is no strict statutory upper age limit for cabin crew; airlines’ main concerns are medical fitness, ability to complete safety training (including evacuation tasks), and ability to meet roster demands. Some employers prefer younger applicants for frontline roles but this is not a legal restriction.
- Physical & medical: Candidates must meet aviation medical and safety criteria (e.g., lift/reach requirements, swim tests for some carriers, good eyesight, and the ability to pass pre-employment medicals and drug tests).
Pilots
- Minimum age: Typically 18–21 to begin flight training or be eligible for some commercial licences; to act as a commercial pilot or FO you must meet licence requirements and be medically certified.
- Medical fitness & licence: Pilots must hold the appropriate Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) medical certificate and the required licences (CPL, ATPL, type ratings for larger jets). There is no strict “upper age cap” for flying under NZ rules, but retirement/airline policy (and currency/medical) usually limits older pilots from being line-checked on certain aircraft.
- Experience-based promotion: Captains require significant PIC (pilot-in-command) hours and airline command courses — expect many years of line experience.
Engineers & ground staff
- Minimum age: Usually 18 for full operational roles; apprenticeships and training schemes can start earlier in some technical schools.
- Qualifications: Aircraft maintenance engineers need accredited qualifications and licence endorsements (LAME/CAA approvals) — apprenticeships, NZQA-recognised diplomas and trade certificates are common stepping stones.
Qualifications & experience: what employers look for
Cabin crew
- Essential: Good English (spoken), customer service experience (often 12–24 months in a fast-paced role), a valid passport (for international flying), ability to work shift rosters, first-aid/RSA sometimes helpful. Many airlines provide cabin-specific training if you pass selection.
Pilots
- Essential: Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or ATPL theory completed, multi-crew co-ordination training, relevant hours (airline requirements differ), up-to-date Type Rating for the aircraft you’ll fly. Airline cadet or cadet-to-first-officer programmes are common entry routes.
Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (LAME)
- Essential: NZ-recognised maintenance qualifications (e.g., NZQA diploma), a LAME licence with relevant ratings, practical experience in MRO or airline environment. Ongoing human factors and CAA regulatory knowledge required.
Ground operations & customer service
- Essential: NZ work eligibility (or employer sponsorship where possible), strong customer skills, ability to pass security checks and sometimes language requirements for international check-in desks. Shift work readiness is key.
Career growth — from cadet to captain, from ramp to management
Aviation careers often follow structured progression paths. Here are typical tracks:
Pilot track (example)
- Flight school / CPL / ME & IR training → 2. Regional/commuter FO → 3. Major airline FO → 4. Senior FO / FO on widebody → 5. Command training (type-rating/captain upgrade) → 6. Captain → 7. Check-captain / Training Captain / Management (Ops/Standards).
Pilots may also move into safety, flight operations management, training, or airline leadership later in their careers. Salaries rise steeply with command and type.
Cabin crew track
- Entry-level flight attendant → 2. Senior/Lead cabin crew (inflight service lead) → 3. Cabin manager / Inflight services trainer → 4. Inflight/Customer Experience management → 5. Corporate inflight roles (standards, training, route planning). Experience plus specialist language or service skills speed progression.
Engineering & technical track
- Apprentice / Technician → 2. Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) → 3. Senior LAME / Shift lead → 4. Quality / Maintenance Control / MRO management → 5. Technical director / Head of Engineering. Skilled LAMEs are in steady demand and can move to higher pay bands in MROs or international postings.
Benefits & perks commonly offered by NZ airlines
- Competitive base salaries with roster & overtime allowances (especially for pilots and engineers).
- Travel perks — discounted or free standby travel for employees and immediate family on domestic and partner international flights (varies by airline and role).
- Training & career development — in-house type ratings, recurrent training, and leadership programmes for high performers.
- Health & retirement — medical insurance, KiwiSaver (NZ retirement savings scheme) matching contributions, and employee wellness programs (varies by employer).
- Shift flexibility & rostered leave — for many flying and ground roles there’s structured leave, which can allow concentrated travel periods (but beware irregular hours).
- Union coverage — many airline staff groups (pilots, cabin crew, ground staff) have union representation which can influence pay negotiations and working conditions.
Visa & sponsorship — can overseas applicants get these jobs?
Short answer: sometimes, but it depends on the role.
- Skilled roles (pilots, licensed engineers) are the types most likely to be eligible for employer-sponsored visas, provided the employer is an accredited sponsor and the job meets the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) conditions (market salary, advertising, and skill thresholds).
- Cabin crew at the national carrier historically prefer citizens or residents for frontline cabin roles (passport/ability to travel unrestricted, and sometimes residency requirements for long-term roster flexibility). That said, other airlines or regional operators may sponsor for specialist or high-need roles. Always check the vacancy and employer statements.
- Ground operations & entry roles are less frequently sponsored; employers must justify hiring overseas candidates under AEWV rules, and roles must meet median/market pay thresholds and advertising tests. Seek/LinkedIn job filters show “visa sponsorship” tags on some NZ job ads across sectors.
How to approach sponsorship:
- Target accredited employers (AEWV accreditation) or MROs with a history of sponsoring overseas staff.
- Demonstrate specialised skills (type ratings, LAME licences, significant command hours, multi-language cabin crew skills) — these improve sponsorship chances.
- Be ready for additional paperwork and time: AEWV processing, employer evidence, and NZ immigration checks can add weeks to the hiring timeline.
How to apply — step-by-step (practical checklist)
- Decide which role you want (pilot, cabin crew, engineering, ground ops). Each has specific application materials.
- Build a NZ-style CV — clear, short, with key licences/certificates, hours (for pilots), and endorsements. Include contactable referee details from recent aviation employers or training organisations.
- Use the right job sites & company pages:
- Air New Zealand careers page (official roles & graduate programmes).
- SEEK, Indeed and LinkedIn (filters for location and “visa sponsorship”/“international applicants”).
- Prepare supporting documents: licences, medical, passport, police checks (some roles), and English language evidence if needed.
- Interview & selection: cabin crew selection may include group assessments, customer service scenarios and a physical assessment; pilots face technical interviews and simulator checks; engineers will undergo technical interviews and practical skill assessments.
- Negotiate terms & clarify visa support: if you need sponsorship ask early — confirm whether the employer will support AEWV or other visas and who covers costs.
Sample job advert checklist (what to expect in a real ad)
- Role title & base airport
- Minimum requirements (age, passport, residency or visa status)
- Qualifications & experience (hours, licences, NZQA diploma, LAME)
- Key responsibilities (safety, customer service, maintenance tasks)
- Salary range or “competitive” phrasing
- Notes on shift work, roster, travel requirements and training provided
- How to apply (link to company careers page)
Training pathways & short courses (how to upskill in NZ)
- For pilots: CPL/ATPL theory providers, flight schools offering modular and integrated courses. Consider cadet programmes run by airlines or flying schools.
- For engineers: NZQA-recognized diplomas in aircraft maintenance, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training at MROs. Licensed endorsements require sign-off on required maintenance tasks.
- Cabin crew: Many airlines provide in-house initial training once hired (safety, emergency procedures, service standards). Customer service or hospitality certifications help pre-selection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I get a cabin crew job in NZ if I’m living overseas?
A: Possibly, but most major carriers want applicants who can travel without restriction and many frontline cabin roles prefer NZ/Australian citizens or residents. If you require a visa, check the advertisement for “open to international applicants” or whether the employer explicitly states visa sponsorship.
Q: What’s the fastest way to become a pilot for an airline in NZ?
A: Complete an integrated flight training course or a modular CPL + multi-engine & instrument ratings, build required hours (sometimes via regional operators or instructing), then apply to regional airlines or cadet programmes. Having NZ-recognized licences and currency helps.
Q: Are airline jobs stable after the pandemic era?
A: The aviation sector has recovered strongly in many markets, but variability exists (fleet issues, fuel costs, and demand cycles). New Zealand’s major carriers continue to operate and recruit, especially for skilled roles; market conditions change by year so check current company announcements.
Q: Do airlines pay for type ratings or instrument training?
A: Some airlines offer sponsored type ratings or training selectively (often for senior hires or as part of development programmes). Others expect the pilot to have necessary type ratings already. Discuss during recruitment.
Realistic preparation plan (3–6 months)
- Month 1–2: Choose role, prepare NZ-style CV, begin applying to targeted vacancies, and complete any short certificates (first aid, RSA, customer service) for cabin crew.
- Month 2–4: Gather and verify licences, medicals, and referees. Start networking (LinkedIn aviation groups, alumni networks, NZ aviation associations).
- Month 4–6: Attend interviews and selection events. If you need a visa, begin conversations with prospective employers about AEWV sponsorship and compile immigration documents.
Useful links & resources (start here)
- Air New Zealand careers: official jobs & graduate programs.
- Seek — salary guides for pilots, flight attendants and AMEs.
- Immigration New Zealand — Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) & sponsor information.
Final tips from people in the industry
- Be persistent and patient. Aviation hiring can be cyclical and paperwork heavy (licences, medicals, visas).
- Tailor your application. Highlight airline-relevant customer service, safety, and teamwork skills. For pilots and engineers, list exact licences, aircraft types and hours.
- Network seriously. Meet recruiters at career fairs; follow airline careers pages and set job alerts on Seek/LinkedIn; connect with NZ-based pilots/engineers on LinkedIn for advice.
- Verify visa support early. If you need sponsorship, ask employers early in the process whether they will support AEWV or another visa route.
Conclusion — is it worth applying?
Yes — if you have relevant qualifications, realistic expectations about pay vs lifestyle, and are prepared for rostered work and training, New Zealand remains a strong market for aviation careers in 2026. Pilots and licensed engineers are in the highest demand for skilled migration / sponsorship possibilities; cabin crew and ground roles are plentiful domestically but often prefer residents. Start with airline career pages and the major NZ job boards, prepare your paperwork, and approach accredited employers if you need sponsorship.