KLM tops European Pilots' list as best airline to work for in 2024

The European Cockpit Association (ECA), representing 40,000 pilots across Europe, has released the second edition of its Social Rating of Airlines. KLM emerged as the top airline to work for, receiving a 97% satisfaction score, surpassing defending champion Air France (94%). Pilots praised KLM for its excellent working conditions and strong labor relations with the Dutch Pilots' Union, VNV. Other highly ranked airlines include Icelandair (92%), Widerøe (91%), Austrian (84%), and TAP (84%), the latter seeing a notable 15% increase in satisfaction.

Captain Otjan de Bruijn, President of ECA, said: "As a pilot myself, I understand the importance of fair treatment and good working conditions. KLM's success demonstrates the power of teamwork between management and unions. However, the overall dip in satisfaction in this year's Social Rating is worrisome, and we must strive for higher standards industry-wide."

About the Social Rating of Airlines
The Social Rating of Airlines is designed to provide transparency on working conditions for pilots, helping them make informed career decisions. It's also a gauge for passengers who understand that getting from A to Z is not just about the cost of their ticket, it's about people. Airlines are ranked into five categories: Social Excellence, Social Partner, Social Snail, Social Misfit, and Social Junk. These categories reflect pilots' feedback on key factors such as work-life balance, employment terms, and labor agreements. The 2024 edition is based on responses from over 6,000 pilots across Europe, collected in May.

Trends in airline satisfaction
Compared to the 2021 edition, the survey reveals a decline in overall satisfaction across many carriers. Pilots cite longer work hours, inflation, and post-COVID labor negotiations as major factors behind this drop. While some airlines received praise for their training programs, many still struggle with long-term pilot retention.

For example, Ryanair (42%) continues to be seen as a "stepping stone" for pilots, although it did show a modest improvement, moving from Social Misfit to Social Snail. Wizz Air faces similar challenges with retention, as pilot testimonials suggest. Despite offering rapid career progression, Wizz Air's anti-union stance has earned it a "Social Misfit" ranking.

Challenges for Buzz and SmartLynx
At the bottom of the rankings, Buzz (23%) and SmartLynx (20%) faced severe criticism. SmartLynx was called out for poor planning stability and low wages, with pilots highlighting that the airline uses staffing agencies outside the EU to bypass regulations. Buzz, plagued by self-employment practices and a lack of employee representation, also continues to struggle with its labour relations.

New entry: Discover Airlines
Discover Airlines made its debut in the Social Rating with a 65% satisfaction score. Despite its solid overall score, it ranked poorly in labour relations, primarily due to recent failed collective bargaining attempts.

Ignacio Plaza, Secretary General of ECA, added: "This survey is a wake-up call for the industry. While some airlines are on the rise, many still fall short of social standards. Our goal is to spotlight both exemplary practices and problem areas so pilots and passengers can make informed decisions."