Internship Opportunity: British Airways Summer Internship 2026
Company: British Airways (IAG) Program: Summer Internship Programme Location: British Airways Head Office (Waterside), London Heathrow Duration: 10 Weeks (Summer 2026) Salary: Competitive (Approx. £26,000 Pro-Rata) Application Deadline: 19 November 2025
Program Overview
British Airways is more than just an airline; it is a British icon connecting Britain with the world and the world with Britain. We are looking for the next generation of leaders to join our 2026 Summer Internship Programme.
This 10-week paid internship is designed to give university students a real taste of life at our Head Office. You will not be making tea; you will be taking on real responsibility in a placement tailored to your career ambitions. Whether you are interested in Operations, Customer Strategy, HR, or Sustainability, this programme is your runway to a potential career as a Future Leader.
Successful completion of this internship is the only shortcut to our prestigious Future Leader Graduate Programme, bypassing the initial application stages for the following year.
What You Will Do
The internship is flexible and matched to your strengths. You will be placed in one of our Head Office departments where you will:
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Deliver Projects: Work on meaningful business-as-usual tasks and specific projects that contribute to BA’s strategic goals.
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Network: Build connections with our current Graduate community and senior leaders across the business.
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Innovate: We want fresh perspectives. You will be encouraged to challenge our current thinking and look for ways to improve our processes.
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Community Engagement: Get involved in our sustainability initiatives and volunteer in schools to inspire future talent.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for this highly competitive scheme, you must meet the following strict requirements:
1. Academic Status
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You must be a current university student.
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Crucial: You MUST be returning to university after the 10-week internship (i.e., you are in your penultimate year). If you are graduating in 2026, you are not eligible.
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Degree Grade: You must be on track for a minimum 2:2 degree (or equivalent) in any subject. We value diversity of thought, so whether you study History, Engineering, or Business, we want to hear from you.
2. Right to Work
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Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the internship.
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Visa Warning: British Airways cannot offer sponsorship for this internship or the subsequent Future Leader Graduate role.
3. Personal Attributes
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A desire to try new things and challenge yourself.
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Resilience and the ability to develop quickly in a short time.
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A passion for the aviation industry and customer service.
Internship Benefits
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Salary: A highly competitive pro-rata salary (approx. £26,000 per annum equivalent).
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Travel: Enjoy discounted staff travel (ID90s) to explore the world during your time with us.
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Ambassadorship: Opportunity to become a ‘Campus Ambassador’ upon your return to university.
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Fast-Track: The golden ticket—eligibility to apply for the Future Leader Graduate Programme upon successful completion.
Educational Guide: How to Land This Role
Applying to British Airways is rigorous. The process includes an online application, a video interview, and a face-to-face Assessment Centre. Here is how to prepare:
1. The Video Interview
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Format: You will likely answer 3-5 pre-recorded questions.
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Tip: BA uses values-based questions. Research the “British Airways Behaviours”. They look for people who are respectful, focused, and team-oriented.
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Preparation: Do not just read off a script. Be authentic. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers when asked about times you demonstrated leadership or resilience.
2. The Assessment Centre (December)
If you pass the video stage, you will be invited to Waterside (BA HQ) in December. This day usually involves:
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Group Exercise: You will be given a business problem (e.g., “How do we launch a new route to Tokyo?”). Tip: Do not try to dominate the room. BA looks for collaborators, not dictators. Show that you can listen to others and build on their ideas.
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Role Play: You might have to deal with a “difficult stakeholder” or customer. Stay calm, listen, and show empathy.
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Interview: Be ready to answer “Why BA?” beyond just “I like travel.” Talk about their sustainability goals (BA Better World) or their customer strategy.
3. Know the Industry
Before your interview, read the news. What challenges is the aviation industry facing? (e.g., Sustainable Aviation Fuel, post-pandemic recovery, operational resilience). Mentioning these shows you are commercially aware.
How to Apply
Application Deadline: 19 November 2025 (Note: Applications may close early if volumes are high, so apply immediately).
Recruitment Timeline:
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Applications: 3rd – 19th November 2025
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Video Interviews: November 2025
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Assessment Centres: December 2025
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Start Date: June 2026
