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Mortgages for Airline Staff and Pilots
Specialist mortgage advice for pilots, cabin crew and airline professionals – without the turbulence.
Your income might look good on paper , but securing a mortgage in the airline industry can still be complex. Many traditional lenders struggle with variable pay, flight allowances, and bonuses — they simply don’t fit the standard criteria.
That’s where a specialist mortgage broker like Strive can help. We understand how aviation pay works and know exactly which lenders are flexible enough to support your application.
At Strive Mortgages, we help airline staff and pilots across the UK secure mortgages that truly reflect your personal circumstances — working with providers who understand your pay structure, contract terms, and career path.
Speak to a broker who really understands aviation finance – call 0330 043 1121 or get started online.
Mortgages for Airline Professionals – What You Need to Know
Whether you are a newly qualified pilot, cabin crew member or an aviation professional with years of experience, getting a mortgage can feel more complicated than it should. In the wider mortgage market, many lenders struggle to interpret aviation industry pay and shift allowances.
Many traditional mortgage lenders struggle with variable pay or do not understand how your income is structured. This is where using a specialist broker makes all the difference for both pilot mortgages and cabin crew mortgages.
We regularly help airline professionals in roles including:
- Captains and first officers
- Cabin crew (full-time, part-time or variable hours)
- Trainee or newly qualified pilots
- PAYE employees with complex payslips or multiple income streams
Speak to an advisor today, to lock you in with the best deal.
Can You Use Flight Pay and Variable Income for a Mortgage?
Yes, most mortgage lenders will accept flight pay and other variable income like overtime, commission and bonuses – but how much they count can vary widely. Lenders will look at your credit report, bank statements and outstanding debts to assess mortgage affordability and mortgage eligibility.
Here is how lenders typically assess it:
- Some accept 100 percent of flight pay if it is consistent
- Others may only consider 50 percent or 75 percent, depending on the lender
- Lenders will average it over 3, 6, 12 or even 24 months, depending on the stability and documentation available
The key to getting your full annual income recognised is choosing the right lender based on your earnings history.
We will present your payslips, P60s and contracts clearly to show a strong, consistent pattern and maximise your borrowing power with income multiples up to 5.5× or even 6× through professional mortgages.
What Income Can Be Used to Get Mortgages for Pilots?
If you are a pilot or airline professional, your income might include more than just your basic salary. The good news is that many specialist lenders are now more flexible – but not all income is treated equally.
Accepted by most lenders (in part or in full):
- Basic salary
- Flight pay
- Bonuses (if regular and evidenced)
- Commission
- Overtime (if consistent and provable)
Not always accepted:
- Non-taxable allowances (see below)
- Per diem payments
- Foreign currency income
Can You Use Non-Taxable Income to Get a Mortgage?
In most cases, traditional mortgage lenders will not accept non-taxable income such as overseas allowances or certain staff benefits because they do not view it as part of your reliable take-home pay.
However, a small number of specialist lenders may consider it if it can be evidenced clearly, is paid regularly and is part of your contractual package.
This is typically reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We know which mortgage providers and expert mortgage advice services are open to this and how best to present the figures to give you the strongest chance of success.
How Much Can Airline Staff Borrow for a Mortgage?
How much you can borrow depends on your annual income, contract type and overall profile. Most lenders offer 4.5× income as standard.
Some will go up to 5× or even 5.5× for stable, well-paid applicants. Up to 6× income may be possible through professional mortgages for newly qualified pilots and high earners with strong affordability.
We’ll assess your financial situation, credit score and existing personal loans, then advise on what is realistic – and where we can push further if your profile supports it.
Outstanding service and clear communication are at the core of what we do. But don’t just take our word for it—read firsthand experiences from our clients and discover why they rate us a 5-star mortgage broker.
Airline-Friendly Mortgage Lenders
There are a number of mortgage lenders who take a more flexible view on aviation income. These can include:
- Santander – known for accepting certain flight allowances
- NatWest – generally good with PAYE pilots and cabin crew
- Barclays, Halifax and Nationwide – can also be options, depending on your income mix
- A number of specialist or intermediary-only lenders may consider higher income multiples or more complex cases
The best mortgage deal from the best mortgage lenders will depend on your exact role, income breakdown, deposit and length of employment.
We act as your professional broker to match you with the right lender and guide you through the entire mortgage process and mortgage application.
How Much Deposit Do I Need?
In most cases, airline staff can access standard mortgage deposit requirements:
- Minimum deposit is 5 percent of the property price for residential purchases
- If affordability is tight or income is highly variable, you may need 10 percent or more
- If buying a new build or using a professional mortgage scheme, other rules may apply
We will let you know exactly how much you need to put down, review any debt secured against other assets and what mortgage options suit your personal circumstances.
Minimum Employment Length for Airline Staff Mortgages
How long you need to be in your role depends on the lender and your income type:
- If you have just a basic salary, some lenders will accept as little as one month in the role
- If your income includes flight pay, overtime or bonuses, lenders typically want to see 3–6 months to establish a pattern
- The more variable your income, the more history is usually required
Some lenders will work off a signed contract or probationary period in certain cases. We’ll match you with the right lender based on your personal circumstances, the UK regulatory regime and your overall financial situation.
Can You Use Per Diem for Mortgage Affordability?
Most lenders do not accept per diem payments because they are classed as expenses, not earnings, and cannot be relied on to cover mortgage payments.
However, a small number of specialist lenders may consider it as supplementary income if it is consistent and shown on payslips. We will explore this carefully depending on how it is paid and evidenced.
Navigating Your Credit Report and the Mortgage Application Process
Before you start arranging mortgages, it is vital to understand how your credit report and overall financial situation affect your mortgage eligibility.
Many traditional mortgage lenders will check your credit score, look at any outstanding debts or personal loans, and assess whether you have too much debt secured against your assets.
A healthy credit report, with on-time bill payments and low utilisation of credit, will help you access the best mortgage rates and more favourable deals.
When you apply, lenders will scrutinise your mortgage application process in full:
- They will request bank statements to confirm your income, flight crew pay and variable pay.
- They will check for outstanding debts, including personal loans or credit card balances.
- They will calculate your debt-to-income ratio to ensure you can afford repayments.
If your credit history is less than perfect, bad credit mortgages options exist. These often carry slightly higher mortgage rates, but they can help airline crew and aviation professionals with a past default or a short credit file.
A joint mortgage application, perhaps with a partner who has a strong credit score, can also improve your chances.
Finally, in a joint mortgage you share liability for the debt secured against the property, so it is important to review how your combined annual income, deposit size and personal circumstances will affect your monthly payments and future remortgage options.
With expert mortgage advice on which lenders to approach and how to structure your application, you can simplify the mortgage process and secure the right mortgage for airline professionals.
Looking for 5 star mortgage advise? We’re ready to help.
Whatever stage you’re at, it’s never too early to reach out.
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Professional Mortgages for Pilots
Newly qualified pilots with a strong career path may be eligible for professional mortgages. These products offer:
- Higher income multiples (up to 5.5–6×)
- More flexible affordability assessments
- Recognition of your career trajectory and earnings potential
They are often used by doctors, solicitors and accountants but increasingly specialist lenders are offering them to pilots and aviation professionals too.
Mortgages for Cabin Crew
Cabin crew incomes often vary month to month, which can put off high street banks. We work with lenders who take a more holistic view of your payslips, including flight pay, bonuses, variable hours and overseas allowances.
Even if you are on a zero-hour contract or part-time, we can guide you on what is possible and help make your case clearly.
Mortgages for Trainee and Newly Qualified Pilots
If you are still in training or have just completed your qualifications, you may not have a long work history – but you still have options. We help:
- Trainee pilots with future job offers or signed contracts
- Newly qualified pilots within their first few months of employment
- Buyers using gifted deposits or buying with a partner
If you are buying early in your career, we will help you understand what is possible and build a plan to get your mortgage off the ground.
Speak to a Broker Who Understands Mortgages for Airline Professionals
No jargon. No endless paperwork. Just expert mortgage advice tailored to your income, your career and your goals. Whether you are a captain, first officer, cabin crew member or training to be a pilot – we will help you secure the right mortgage.
We’d love to hear from you – get started online or call us on 0330 043 1121 today to speak with one of our expert advisers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, many lenders accept flight pay. They may include a percentage of it (often 50–100 percent) and will average it over 3–24 months depending on consistency.
Typically 4.5× income, but can rise to 5× or 5.5× with the right profile. Some professional mortgage schemes allow up to 6×.
No – 5 percent is the minimum for most standard mortgages, but 10 percent or more may help with affordability or more complex applications.
Santander and NatWest are known to be flexible, but the best choice depends entirely on your income structure and history.
Some lenders may accept it in part if it is regular and provable, but most will not include it in affordability calculations.
Usually not, but some specialist lenders may consider it on a case-by-case basis.
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Jamie Elvin
Jamie is an expert in all things mortgages, and our most experienced broker. Connect with Jamie and get started to see how Strive Mortgages can help you.
