About

Who we are

The British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) is the professional association and registered trade union established to represent the interests of all UK pilots. We represent over 10,000 pilots and are recognised in 23 different companies; that’s over 85% of all commercial pilots flying in the UK. The association holds the largest collective resource of commercial pilot qualification and experience in the UK

Committees

As an organisation of highly-trained flight deck professionals, BALPA has unrivalled access to the expertise and experience of its 10,000 members. Many pilots form specialist study groups or committees to support our professional and technical services. Together, they represent a body of knowledge covering the following areas.

Our team

BALPA is a community of elected pilot representatives and pilot volunteers, managed by a pilot executive, and supported by over 40 full-time staff members and professional specialists. Find out who you need to contact from our HQ team of staff.

BALPA Benevolent Fund

The BALPA Benevolent Fund is a registered charity whose object is to provide support to those in financial need who are, or have been, engaged professionally as pilots, flight engineers, helicopter winchmen or navigators in commercial aviation and current or former employees of BALPA or any of its subsidiaries, and their families, and anyone else dependent on them.

Vacancies

See out latest vacancies here at BALPA

National Executive Council (NEC)

The National Executive Council (NEC) is the elected body that is responsible for the Association. As well as generating policy and association strategy, the NEC ensures that the organisation is run in an efficient, legal and responsible manner.

Our history

Eric Lane Burslem, eventually BALPA’s first chairman, set up a pilots’ association in response to the irresponsible attitude of his airline towards flight safety. He worked with other pilots to create an ‘Organising Committee’ who proposed the first set of association rules to a mass meeting of pilots on 27th June 1937.

The Log

The Log is BALPA's membership magazine, made by pilots for pilots. In each edition we bring features on the latest aviation issues, as well as BALPA news. You can view the latest version of The Log online.

View

BALPA Rule Book

Download BALPA rule book

Twitter

Recent articles

The importance of weather for pilots: A blog for World Meteorological Day

For World Meteorological Day, BALPA member, Mike Thrower explores how important it is for pilots to understand the weather.

Wednesday 22 March 2023

Why we should all #heartunions

A BALPA rep and member talks about her experience of being part of the BALPA community and explains why we should all #heartunions

Thursday 16 February 2023

BALPA response to news of the financial collapse of Flybe

BALPA regrets the financial collapse of Flybe and the terrible effects this has on the hardworking Flybe staff, the disappointed customers and the reputation of UK civil aviation. The sudden collapse of airlines in this way is hugely damaging for all involved.

Saturday 28 January 2023

Contact

24 HOUR BALPA EMERGENCY LINE: 020 8476 4099

Telephone:

020 8476 4000

Email:

balpa@balpa.org

Postal Address: BALPA,
1 Heathrow Boulevard,
1st Floor East Suite,
278 Bath Road,
West Drayton,
UB70DQ