Working conditions
Grow your career at Cargolux!
Looking to elevate your career? From Flight Crew Training, Aviation Safety, or Flight Operations Management, Cargolux offers multiple development opportunities for both First Officers and Captains. These roles complement the traditional pilot career and support long-term professional growth. Embark on a new journey and take your aviation career to new heights with us!
Flight operations
Global reach, iconic aircraft
With average rotations spanning 7 days, our crews operate in a demanding and highly skilled environment across a diverse global network. Flying the legendary Boeing 747-8F and 747-400F, our pilots cover over 80 destinations worldwide on a mix of short-, medium-, and long-haul routes.
Mission variety
Our operations include both scheduled and ACMI all-cargo missions, often under challenging weather conditions and with varying aircraft weights. This variety ensures no two flights are the same.
Operational excellence
From major international hubs to remote and complex airfields, our pilots demonstrate exceptional airmanship, adaptability, and professionalism. The dynamic nature of our operations highlights the depth of expertise within our pilot community.
A truly global experience
This is more than just flying - it’s a showcase of operational excellence and global teamwork, making every rotation a unique and rewarding experience.
Roster
Pilots receive a monthly roster that includes a minimum of 12 days off, allocated as follows:
• Two fixed blocks of consecutive days off per month: One block of 7 consecutive days and one block of 5 consecutive days (applicable to 6 rosters per year).
• One additional block of 5 consecutive days off, which may be modified for operational reasons. Changes are subject to prior notification and compensation rules (applicable to 6 rosters per year).
Compensation package
Monthly basic salary gross
Monthly gross salary based on index 968.04 (effective 01 September 2025):• Senior First Officer: 7,502.79€
• First Officer: 6,902.13€
• Junior First Officer: 6,368.15€During the initial training period (approx. 2 months) the gross monthly salary is 4,557.15€ (index 968.04).
As per Luxembourg law, salaries are adjusted in line with the evolution of the cost of living (Indexation): if the consumer price index increases by 2.5% during the previous semester, salaries are normally adjusted by the same proportion.
Extra pay & bonuses
Annual salary increases are applied in accordance with the Cargolux Collective Working Agreement (CWA).Additional compensation includes:
• Per diem allowances
• Sunday work premiums
• Night-time duty supplements
• Various overtime compensationsA 13th-month salary is granted as follows:
• First year: 25% of the 13th-month salary
• From the second year onward: Full 13th-month salary
Benefits package
Supplementary pension scheme
Comprehensive life, accident & disability insurance
Global medical & accident coverage with repatriation
Profit-sharing
Loss of license coverage
Support for medical certificates, licenses & endorsements renewals
Seniority-based bonus
Cargolux offers a range of part-time employment options designed to support individual needs and promote work-life balance. These include: 2 to 4 additional days off per month, depending on the selected scheme & up to 5 full rosters off per year, subject to operational feasibility
42 vacation days – accumulative to the Off Day scheme
Travel benefits
Fly with Cargolux! Enjoy the unique experience of traveling on our iconic 747 aircraft to numerous destinations across our extensive network. This benefit extends to your immediate family, subject to some conditions.
Global leisure travel: Enjoy discounted fares worldwide with selected partner airlines through our dedicated platform, myIDTravel. The perfect travel solution for staff, family, and travel partners.
Network commuting: Commute to and from our home base in Luxembourg from the destination closest to your home and by securing a jump seat on Cargolux aircraft.
Exclusive discounts: Benefit from special rates on hotels and rental cars for you and your family through our partners of choice.
Package tours discount: Treat yourself and your loved ones to discounted package tours, exclusively for our staff and their families.
- Social Protection in Luxembourg
Pilots employed by Cargolux Airlines International S.A. are affiliated with the Luxembourg social security system, in accordance with European regulations.
Luxembourg’s system provides comprehensive income protection across the following areas:
• Retirement pension
• Maternity and parental leave
• Occupational accident coverage
• Disability and survivor’s insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Early retirement pension
• Social and family benefitsDespite offering one of the most generous social protection schemes in Europe, Luxembourg maintains one of the lowest deduction rates in the EU, with approximately 11% withheld from gross salary.
- Health Insurance & Coverage
Luxembourg's healthcare system is one of the best in Europe. The state-provided healthcare system covers affiliated individuals (resident and non-resident employees) with medical coverage in case of sickness, work-related accidents or illness, maternity, disability and dependency for medical costs and loss of remuneration. Immediate family members (i.e. spouse and dependents) could also benefit from social security coverage if not themselves affiliated. For further information, please visit http://cns.public.lu/en.html.
- Retirement Benefits
Employees who have been affiliated at least 12 months in Luxembourg (and at least 10 years within the EU) may benefit at the legal retirement age from the Luxembourg pension allowance according to the time of affiliation in Luxembourg. The benefits of the Luxembourg state pension system typically exceed those of most European countries.
- Family Support & Child Benefits
The standard of child and family allowances in Luxembourg is one of the highest within the EU. As a Cargolux employee, you are entitled to social benefits if you are EU/EFTA resident. Since 01 October 2021, the basic monthly amount of the child benefits is currently EUR 299.86. (Amount valid from 01 September 2023 - Index 944,43). If you or the other parent already receive child allowance from another EU country, the Luxembourg government could pay a differential supplement subject to the current regulation. More info about family allowance here.
- Taxation & Deductions
Taxes in Luxembourg are relatively low compared to the other European countries. In addition, certain salary supplements are exempt from taxation under Luxembourg law. Tax obligations depend on the employee’s country of residence and the application of bilateral tax agreements between Luxembourg and that country. These agreements help avoid double taxation and define how income is taxed across borders.
