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Type rating guide · Updated May 2026

Airbus A320 / A321 Type Rating Guide

A318 · A319 · A320 · A321 · A320neo · A321neo

Narrowbody 6–8 weeks training €20,000–€35,000
Training duration
6–8 weeks
Simulator hours
40–56 hrs
Estimated cost
€20,000–€35,000
Training bond
12–36 months
Min. hours required
200 hours multi-crew jet
Salary range
€55,000–€180,000 (FO to Captain, Europe to Middle East)

Key operators

easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, Air France, IndiGo, Air Arabia, flydubai, TAP, Vueling, American Airlines, United Airlines

Licence & eligibility requirements

Frozen ATPL or ATPL (CPL + IR accepted at some training organisations)

Training structure

Aircraft type theory (8 technical subjects), simulator training (SIM1–SIM4), OPC, Line Check

Approved training organisations

Airbus Training Centre (Toulouse), CAE (various), FlightSafety International, TRU Simulation, CAE Oxford, LAPL/MCC providers across Europe

Demand outlook

Very high. The A320 family is the world's best-selling narrowbody. Type rating shortage projected globally through 2028.

Key facts

The A320 family is operated by over 400 airlines worldwide — the most widespread narrowbody type rating.

The A320neo uses CFM LEAP or Pratt & Whitney GTF engines; the type rating covers both engine variants.

Cross-crew qualification (CCQ) allows A320-rated pilots to add A330/A340 ratings with significantly reduced training.

Many LCCs (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz) offer self-sponsored type rating schemes where the cost is offset against a training bond.

EASA regulations require a minimum of 40 hours of simulator training for initial type rating on multi-crew aircraft.

Browse Airbus A320 / A321 jobs
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