I am thinking about joining the RAF but am conflicted whether to join as an officer or as an airman?

Officers have leadership qualities, which you may or may not have. However, you have academic qualifications so why not try to join as an officer, you have nothing to lose and you might even surprise yourself.

You should be discussing this with RAF Careers. A word of warning, you are scrutinised from the moment you attend careers and give your name for interview. Ask for options for your perusal, it is not their job to guide you, rather to identify options, you must use your own initiative. Don't be hesitant and do appear to exude confidence. Wear a suit if you have one otherwise a crisp immaculately pressed shirt and highly polished shoes and you should be clean shaven/hair groomed.

RAF junior officers are not necessarily giving orders all the time, that depends on which career path you follow. You need to consider which job is best suited to you.

Officers get paid more with better benefits. Most officers don't command people. Many work on staff positions like intelligence or logistics where they do work but not necessarily command anyone.