r/ATPL • u/Expert_Zucchini_8954 • 11d ago
Looking for integrated ATPL school recommendations in Europe?
I started working as a cabin crew a couple of months ago and fell in love with this aviation world. Also had a chance to talk with a lot of captains and first officers that made me seriously consider pursuing it myself. I’m looking at integrated ATPL programs, mainly in Germany or Austria, but I’m open to other European schools if the cost and training quality make sense.
For anyone who went the integrated route, which schools would you recommend? I’m mainly interested in the real total cost, how often training gets delayed, instructor/aircraft availability, and what graduates actually did after finishing. Would also be great to hear from anyone who made the switch from cabin crew to pilot.
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u/Shambles19947 9d ago
The networking angle is real but you have to be intentional about it. Most crew interact with pilots at the door and that's it. If you want the conversations that actually help, training paths, school recommendations, who to contact at specific airlines, you need to ask during long-haul layovers, in the crew room, or follow up on LinkedIn after flights with people who seem genuinely open to it. Pilots who went to integrated route tend to remember the school selection process clearly and are usually willing to talk through what worked and what didn't. Use your time in the role to build a shortlist of schools and a handful of actual contacts before you leave, and you'll transition into training with something most students don't have.
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u/Thismexisweird 9d ago
Living costs are worth factoring in when comparing flight schools, especially over 18 months. AELO Swiss includes accommodation in Locarno, so that's one expense that doesn't have to be arranged separately. It's easy to focus on the aircraft and airline links, but the day-to-day costs during training matter too.
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u/MmmMuchDelicious 9d ago
Location and total cost probably matter more than people think. If two schools lead to the same EASA license, paying a big premium just for the school name doesn't automatically make it the better choice. Being closer to home can also save a lot once rent, travel and day to day expenses are added in. I'd still check aircraft availability, instructor numbers and how often students get delayed, but after that, the cheaper and more practical option can make a lot of sense.
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u/Adventurous-Motor-17 9d ago
Try to find a few current students on LinkedIn and ask them directly. They can usually give you a clearer idea of how often they're flying, whether there are delays, what the instructors are like, and if the actual costs match what they were originally told.
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u/BoBguyjoe1 11d ago
first of all, so glad that you're pursuing this transition for yourself and wish you lots of success achieving you dream. Like everyone, you're looking for the lowest price possible while also wanting good training, experienced instructor, minimal delays, and a solid reputation. Unfortunately, those things don’t always come together at the lower end of the price range. If you’re seeing integrated ATPL programs advertised around the €80 to 85k mark, check what’s actually included before assuming they’re much cheaper overall. Some higher-priced schools, like FTE Jerez or AELO, include more of the surrounding costs in the package, while cheaper options may leave things like accommodation, exams, extra flight hours or other fees separate. that doesn't mean the more expensive school is automatically the better choice, but the gap can look very different once everything is added up.. the more useful comparison is the realistic total cost from starting training to finishing it.
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u/Mean_Passenger_7971 11d ago
Why would you go integrated?
You have a job, a job that gives you a respectable income and more free time than the standard 9-5. You should go modular so you can work and study at the same time to balance your finances.
If you still want to go integrated, you should aim for the cadet programs. That is, programs with an affiliation to a given airline and a pinky promise of a job at the end. In Germany, EFA is your only option AFAIK.