Why Getting Your A320 Type Rating Before Airline Recruitment Season Can Change Your Career
Every pilot remembers that moment, licence in hand, dreams ahead, and the question: what now?
For many, the next big step is the Type Rating, the bridge between training and the cockpit of an airline.
But here’s something I’ve seen over and over again: the pilots who get their Type Rating before applying to airlines almost always move faster, with more confidence, and with more options.
The reality of the aviation market
The industry is growing again, faster than most people realise.
According to Boeing’s Pilot Outlook, airlines will need more than 649,000 new pilots by 2043, including over 130,000 in Europe alone.
And IATA expects global passenger traffic to double by 2040. That’s great news — but it also means competition.
The next generation of airline pilots won’t just be those with the right licence, but those who are ready to fly from day one.
Why the A320 is the smartest choice
If there’s one aircraft that defines modern aviation, it’s the Airbus A320.
According to Airbus (January 2024), more than 10,000 A320-family aircraft have been delivered, a milestone marking its dominance in global fleets, and are now operated by over 400 airlines worldwide.
That means an A320 Type Rating opens doors across the world — it’s the most versatile qualification you can have. It’s the kind of investment that keeps paying off, whether your dream is to fly in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East.
Why doing your Type Rating early matters
I’ve watched so many pilots go through this journey. The ones who finish their Type Rating before recruitment season always stand out, not because they’re lucky, but because they’re ready. They apply with confidence, already fluent in airline procedures. They perform better in simulator assessments.
And when the call comes, they can start almost immediately. Being type-rated tells an airline: “I’m serious about my career. I’m ready for the cockpit, not just the classroom.
What makes IFA different
At IFA – International Flight Academy, we’ve been training pilots for more than 26 years, and our mission has always been the same: to prepare pilots for real airline operations, not just for a checkride.
More than 80% of IFA’s A320 Type Rating graduates over the past three years have gone on to join major airlines across Europe.
Here’s what we offer:
• 52 hours of simulator training — more than the industry average.
• FNPT II A320 and Virtual Reality — for cockpit familiarisation and flows before the FFS.
• Active airline instructors (TRI/TRE) — teaching from real-world experience.
• Line Training programs — bridging the gap from simulator to airline.
• Based in Lisbon — offering stable weather, strong aviation infrastructure, and easy access for students from across Europe.
Every step is designed to make the transition from student to airline pilot smoother and more meaningful.
Why now is the right time
Most airlines begin their recruitment cycle between October and March — preparing for the summer season.
That means the pilots who complete their Type Rating now will be ready when opportunities appear.
And with Airbus planning over 700 new aircraft deliveries in 2025, the need for trained, ready pilots isn’t slowing down it’s accelerating.
Final thought
A Type Rating isn’t just another course it’s the moment when everything becomes real. It’s when you stop studying aviation and start living it.
Doing it early means you’ll be ready, confident, and one step ahead when that opportunity arrives.
At IFA, we take pride in being part of that journey, helping pilots turn their licence into a career, and their dream into a reality.
Because in the end, preparation is what turns a pilot into a professional. And the best time to start… is now!
Sandra Muralha – Aviation Training & Airline Partnerships Manager – IFA
