Selection process · tests · interview · simulator check
Iberia pilot assessment
Updated October 2026 · SET STANDARD
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Notify meWith long haul up from 43 to 51 aircraft and a September 2026 SEPLA deal committing 80 new pilots to 2030, Iberia is between public calls: the next direct-entry FO campaign and the 7th Iberia Cadetes edition are the windows to prepare for now.
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Iberia is Spain's flag carrier, founded in 1927 and today part of International Airlines Group alongside British Airways, Aer Lingus and Vueling. From its Madrid-Barajas hub it runs a network-carrier model built on Europe–Latin America leadership, a full-service long-haul fleet of Airbus A330 and A350 aircraft and short-haul feed from Iberia Express and Air Nostrum. Iberia's history shows an airline that has repeatedly transformed itself: from state monopoly to privatised listed company, from heavy losses in 2012 to strong profits, and from independent carrier to a pillar of IAG.
Key facts
| Fleet | About 95 mainline Airbus (Jul 2026): A319/A320/A321 ceo & neo, 8 A321XLR, about 20 A330, about 24 A350-900; 51 long haul |
|---|---|
| Orders | A350 and A320neo deliveries continuing; 59 long-haul aircraft confirmed, 70 targeted by 2030 (Flight Plan 2030, €6bn) |
| Bases | Madrid-Barajas (MAD) only |
| Pilots | Headcount not published; 69 captain promotions unlocked to 2030; up to 106 pilots in the 2026 voluntary redundancy plan |
| Hiring 2026 | No public DE call found in 2026; 80 pilots across Iberia and Iberia Express agreed to 2030 |
| Entry routes | DE FO (frozen ATPL + MCC, 500 h CS-25, 2025 call); Iberia Cadetes ab initio with FTEJerez |
Entry routes and requirements
New-entry pilot / First Officer (direct entry, Madrid base)
Licensed pilots currently flying for an operator
- University entrance exam passed or studies granting university access
- Frozen ATPL(A) EASA Part-FCL plus MCC
- Minimum 500 h on CS-25 (or equivalent) aircraft and currently working as a pilot for an operator (July 2025 call; 500 h also in the Oct 2024 call)
- English Level 4 minimum and Spanish Level 5
Iberia Cadetes (with FTEJerez)
Ab initio candidates with no prior pilot experience
- Completed university degree with final thesis (TFG) approved at application (6th edition, 2026)
- European nationality or permanent Spanish work permit
- No criminal record
- English B2; non-native Spanish speakers need Spanish C2
Captain
Internal promotion
- No direct-entry captain campaign; command is by internal seniority-based promotion
The selection process, step by step
- Online applicationonline
Applications only via Iberia's employment portal. Candidates must already meet all requirements; data cannot be changed after submission.
- Pre-selection and group invitationsemail
Selection runs in staggered groups; pre-selected candidates receive an email with date, time and place of the tests and may be asked for supporting documents.
- Knowledge and aptitude testsin person (Madrid reported)
Not detailed officially. Pilot-community aggregators consistently report a written test on ATPL theory, aptitude/psychometric batteries and an English assessment, held in Madrid, with eliminatory cut-offs.
- Simulator assessment and personal interviewin person
Reported final stage: simulator check in an Airbus A320 FFS in Madrid, personal interview (HR plus line pilots/training) and a Class 1-level medical and background check. Not described in official calls.
Aptitude and psychometric tests
- ATPL technical knowledge
- English (reading and speaking)
- psychometric / aptitude
- personality
The interview
Personal interview (reported competency-based, HR plus pilots); not officially detailed
- motivation for Iberia and long haul
- teamwork and CRM
- knowledge of Iberia and Flight Plan 2030
- safety and punctuality culture
Typical questions to prepare
- Why Iberia?
- Why not Vueling, Air Europa or Iberia Express?
- What do you know about Flight Plan 2030?
- What did the September 2026 agreement with SEPLA achieve?
- Tell us about the A321XLR.
- Describe a time you disagreed with a captain.
The simulator assessment
| Device | Airbus A320 FFS (reported) |
|---|---|
| Where | Madrid (Iberia/CAE Madrid training devices, reported) |
| Typical profile | not published |
Language and after selection
English Level 4 and Spanish Level 5 (direct entry); cadets: English B2, Spanish C2 for non-native speakers.
Direct entry: Madrid base, permanent contract under the X Convenio de pilotos (2025 pay tables published in BOE Jul 2026, with lower 'Año 1/Año 2' entry levels); type rating and OCC per fleet assignment, normally A320 family first. Cadets: integrated ATPL at FTEJerez, then placement within Iberia Group airlines subject to programme conditions, with loan repayment from salary.
Common reasons candidates fail
- Not meeting every requirement before the first test (hours, ELP certificates, frozen ATPL, MCC)
- Errors in the online application, which cannot be edited after submission
- Weak ATPL theory breadth after years on one type
- Inconsistent answers in the personality questionnaire
- Poor CRM in the sim: flying solo or ignoring the other candidate
Get the complete Iberia Assessment Guide
211 pages: company history and culture, every stage of the selection, model interview answers, technical refresher, Airbus A320 family / A330 / A350 systems and simulator assessment preparation. Updated for 2026.
Look inside the guideStatus: Preview · current to October 2026 · not on sale yet · join the waiting list
About this guide
- Format
- PDF (bookmarked, iPad-optimised)
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ed 2026 · Revision 1.0
- Current to
- October 2026
- Pages
- 211
- Status
- Preview · not on sale yet
- Licence
- Personal, single user · see licence terms
- Updates
- Update policy to be announced before sales open
- Simulator stage
- Covered as reported by candidates and public sources
Independent publication. Facts in this overview are labelled “reported” when they come from candidate reports rather than official sources — see the editorial standards. Notify me about this guide · See it in the catalogue
Practice questions: company knowledge
Interview practice drawn from public sources; the answers are not an FAQ about the guide.
When was Iberia founded?
28 June 1927, in Madrid.
What was Iberia's first route?
Madrid–Barcelona, on 14 December 1927.
Who is Iberia's CEO?
Marco Sansavini, President and CEO since 2024.
Which group does Iberia belong to?
International Airlines Group (IAG), with British Airways, Aer Lingus, Vueling and LEVEL.
Which alliance is Iberia part of and since when?
oneworld, since 1999.
Which airline first flew the A321XLR commercially?
Iberia, in November 2024 on Madrid–Boston.
Preparation guides
Other airline assessments
Main sources
https://grupo.iberia.com/pressrelease/details/23277
https://grupo.iberia.com/pressrelease/details/22779
https://grupo.iberia.com/pressrelease/details/13940
https://www.aprendemas.com/es/blog/empleo/proceso-de-seleccion-abierto-iberia-busca-pilotos-con-licencia-atpl-190042
https://aviacionline.com/iberia-abre-nueva-convocatoria-para-la-contratacion-de-pilotos
SET STANDARD is an independent training publisher, not affiliated with Iberia. Information compiled from public sources and candidate reports; always confirm with the airline’s official careers page.