Which Airline Pays Pilots the Most in Asia in 2025?
As Asia’s aviation sector rebounds, pilot salaries across the region are rising rapidly. With hundreds of new aircraft deliveries and major route expansions planned in 2025, demand for experienced flight crew is intensifying—and so is the competition between airlines to offer the most attractive compensation packages.
So, which Asian airline pays pilots the most in 2025? Here’s a deep dive into salaries at some of the region’s biggest carriers, based on the latest verified figures.
Cathay Pacific – Back in the Game
Once a top-paying airline before the pandemic, Cathay Pacific is recovering aggressively. In 2025, the Hong Kong-based carrier is once again offering some of the region’s most stable flying hours and consistent pay.
- Second Officers start at approximately HKD 585,000/year (USD 75,000).
- First Officers earn around HKD 897,000/year (USD 115,000).
- Captains are on packages starting from HKD 1,112,500/year (USD 145,000), with guaranteed 50-hour minimum flying per month.
Source: Aviation A2Z, January 2025
While these numbers don’t top the global charts, Cathay remains attractive due to its long-haul stability, tax structure, and career progression.
Singapore Airlines – Premium Pay for Premium Operations
Singapore Airlines has long been seen as a “dream job” among pilots—and in 2025, it’s maintaining that status with competitive salaries and robust benefits.
- First Officers earn SGD 100,000–160,000/year (USD 75,000–120,000).
- Captains are offered packages of SGD 270,000–350,000/year (USD 200,000–260,000), with perks including travel allowances, performance bonuses, and a strong retirement plan.
Source: FlightSchoolUSA, 2025
Singapore’s income tax structure and world-class infrastructure make this one of the most financially and personally rewarding bases in the region.
Japan Airlines & ANA – Steady Pay, Strong Culture
Japanese airlines are known for reliability and professionalism, but when it comes to pilot salaries, they sit in the mid-range of Asia’s pay scale.
At All Nippon Airways (ANA):
- First Officers earn JPY 8–14 million/year (USD 55,000–95,000).
- Captains start at JPY 14 million/year, rising to JPY 30 million/year (USD 95,000–190,000) with a 70-hour monthly minimum.
Source: Aviation A2Z, January 2025
At Japan Airlines (JAL):
- First Officers earn JPY 1–2.2 million/month (USD 7,000–14,000), with an 80-hour schedule and a JPY 2.8 million(USD 18,000) completion bonus after five years.
- Captains earn JPY 2–3 million/month (USD 13,000–19,000), with a JPY 4.6 million (USD 30,000) bonus.
Source: Aviation A2Z, February 2025
These packages reflect the Japanese emphasis on tenure and loyalty, with long-term benefits rewarding those who commit to full contracts.
China – Sky-High Salaries for Expats
China remains the region’s outlier—and top performer—when it comes to pilot pay.
Experienced foreign Captains, especially on widebody aircraft, are being offered USD 300,000–500,000/year in 2025. These figures include generous housing allowances, private education packages, and tax support for expat families.
Source: ATP Flight School, 2025
Why the premium? A surge in demand, especially from airlines like China Eastern and China Southern, has created a shortage of type-rated captains. Retention remains a challenge—so bonuses, contracts, and family support continue to rise.
India – Fast Growth, Mixed Salaries
India’s aviation sector is exploding in scale. But domestic pay still lags behind global averages.
At local carriers, Captains can expect USD 75,000–120,000/year, though widebody operators and command upgrade candidates are seeing stronger offers as fleet size grows.
However, international carriers with Indian bases—like Emirates, Qatar, or Singapore Airlines—are offering India-based Captains INR 9–15 million/year (USD 120,000–200,000), often with housing, travel, and child education benefits.
Source: PilotCareer.in, 2025
With Air India, Akasa, and Indigo all expanding in 2025, local pilot salaries are expected to rise significantly in the next two years.
Regional Outlook: What’s Driving Salaries in Asia?
Several trends are shaping pilot pay across the continent:
- Fleet expansion: Airbus and Boeing delivery backlogs mean Asia needs thousands of pilots by 2027.
- Expat competition: Countries like China and Vietnam still rely on foreign captains, raising salaries in key roles.
- Training bottlenecks: Many regions face simulator and training pipeline shortages, making qualified FOs more valuable.
While base pay is one thing, pilots also look at benefits, taxes, location, and family lifestyle when comparing contracts. A USD 190,000 offer in Japan may not stretch as far as a USD 150,000 job in Singapore or Dubai, where tax treatment and expat benefits are stronger.
Conclusion: Who Pays the Most in Asia in 2025?
For headline salary alone, China takes the top spot, with some widebody expat captains earning up to USD 500,000.
Singapore Airlines ranks highest among legacy carriers for its balance of pay, perks, and prestige—a package few other airlines match.
Cathay Pacific and Japan’s major carriers offer stability, but often fall behind in take-home pay compared to more aggressive expansion markets.
Still, with Asia’s aviation industry poised for further growth, pilot compensation in the region is only going up—especially for experienced captains and type-rated first officers looking to fly long-haul.