European Pilots

13/08/2025

✈️ How do we stop airlines from abusing Commander’s Discretion?

Here’s how 👇

1️⃣ Say NO — If it’s a clear misuse, don’t accept it.

2️⃣ Know your rights — Discretion is voluntary, not mandatory.

3️⃣ Report pressure to use Discretion — To your national authority, or if you don’t trust them, report directly to EASA via the Confidential Safety Reporting (CSR) tool

4️⃣ Talk about it — Open conversations break the pressure and the stigma.

11/08/2025

As a licensed pilot, you are legally obligated to report fatigue.
Whether it’s a one-time incident or a systemic issue, speak up.

To support you in fulfilling your reporting obligation, ECA has updated our Fatigue Reporting Toolkit with tips on the DOs & DON’Ts when filling in a report. Only a well-written report will have an impact and change things.

👉 Click the link in our bio to access helpful materials for fatigue reporting.

08/08/2025

Pilots, take note.
You do NOT need to justify why you didn’t use Commander’s Discretion.

We’re aware some operators are pressuring crews to explain why they didn’t extend their FDP — but that’s not required.

✅ We checked with EASA.
✅ No report or justification is needed if you don’t use Commander’s Discretion.
✅ It’s your call — not a company expectation.

Your discretion is exactly that: yours.

01/08/2025

Flying over Europe and saw a NOTAM about contrail prevention?

Contrails trap heat and contribute to global warming. Scientists are testing models that predict where they’ll form, but they need real-world data.

If ATC requests a flight level change, it might be part of the trial. 📡

Your help matters! as long as it’s safe, you’re contributing to climate-friendly aviation 🌍

31/07/2025

A pilot asked: My airline’s OM says the commander will assess the crew’s fitness to extend, not consult them all. Is this right?

Our FTL Expert answers in this video

16/04/2025

Last year, a Romanian court ruled in favour of a group of dismissed pilots, members of FPU Romania, finding that Wizz Air had failed to follow proper collective dismissal procedures under Romanian labour law.

FPU Romania had been at the forefront of the efforts, taking the airline to court over dismissals, discrimination, and other violation of labour laws. Our new article also highlights the various legal challenges against Wizz in Hungary and Bulgaria.

Share your story with us at [email protected]

BUCHAREST | BRUSSELS When Wizz Air dismissed a thousand pilots and cabin crew members in 2020, citing the need to root out “bad apples” –pilots who were “often sick” or “caused grief” – the airline likely did not anticipate the repercussions.

17/03/2025

A strong community of pilot experts is key to shaping the future of aviation.

Last week, we hosted two days of ECA Expert Training, bringing together engaged and passionate professionals. These experts were eager to exchange insights and further strengthen their role as influential voices within their associations and beyond.

23/01/2025

Capt. Tanja Harter, ECA President, for Politico Europe:

"We do welcome the focus on looking into the introduction of safety enhancements, including advanced flight deck technologies, but we remain adamant that this must be done in view of always retaining two pilots on the flight deck. Whether this is a genuine course correction by EASA, or just a nod to public concerns, the jury’s still out."

Airlines want to cut the number of pilots to save money, while unions are opposed. The EU Aviation Safety Agency is in the middle.

06/12/2024

Tanja Harter has been elected as the first female president of ECA, marking a historic milestone for the organisation!

With more than 25 years of experience as a professional pilot, Captain Harter currently flies the A320 family for Lufthansa and is a seasoned CRM instructor and licensed business coach. She has served on the ECA Executive Board since 2018, contributing significantly to pilot training and safety initiatives, including authoring key documents like the Pilot Training Compass and Future Airline Pilot Profession.

Captain Tanja Harter has been elected as the first female president of the European Cockpit Association (ECA), marking a historic milestone for the organisation that represents over 40,000 professional pilots across 33 European countries.

03/12/2024

Among all Ryanair Group airlines, none has reached a 60% satisfaction rate among pilots.

Are you a pilot at one of these airlines? What do you think could improve your work experience?

Check out the full Social Rating results—link in our bio.

12/11/2024

Excellent exchange of views with EP President Roberta Metsola, yesterday, focussing on the pilots’ perspective on key challenges where the European Parliament can positively shape our sector’s future.

The Airline Pilots Association Malta (ALPA Malta) – together with the European Cockpit Association (ECA) – met with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

During the fruitful discussion with President Metsola, the pilots' representatives stressed the need to continuously focus on and prioritize safety in aviation, as well as the need to modernise the functioning of the EU Aviation market to meet today's industry challenges in a fair and responsible way. In light of the recent European Parliament hearing of the EU Commissioner-Designate for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the pilots' representatives welcomed his emphasis on safety, as well as his commitment to propose a revision of the EU Air Services Regulation and to conduct an evaluation of working conditions in transport within his first 100 days in office.

07/11/2024

These airlines are at the bottom of the rankings, facing severe criticism. The one in 50th position was even called out for poor planning stability and low wages, with pilots highlighting its use of non-EU staffing agencies to bypass regulations. 😦

Before you swipe left, take a guess! Which three airlines do European pilots rank as the worst to work for in 2024?

To see the full results, click the link in our bio.