Many flight schools partner with airlines to help their students jumpstart their career journey.
[ Pilots ]November 20, 2024 10:34 am ET
By Andrew Chen
Flying for a major airline is the ultimate goal for many aspiring aviators. Although the path to an airline can take years, some flight schools partner with airlines to help students begin their careers.
The scope of partnerships between airlines and flight schools can vary. Some only involve career presentations and resources from the airline, while pathway programs often involve a guaranteed interview or a defined career flow path. The programs run by mainline carriers typically require pilots to fly for a regional partner before moving to the mainline company.
Airlines often have names for their various pilot pathway programs. Examples include United’s Aviate program, Southwest’s Destination 225°, and American’s Cadet Program.
Flight schools with airline partnerships are situated all across the United States. Many schools also partner with multiple airlines.
Eastern United States
- Infinity Flight is a partner in the American Airlines Cadet Academy. The school is situated at Trenton-Mercer Airport in New Jersey and is planning on opening a second location in St. Pierce, Florida,. in early 2025.
- FLYT Aviation is based at the Atlanta Regional Airport in Peachtree City, Georgia. Located near Delta’s headquarters in Atlanta, the airline is part of Delta Propel. FLYT Aviation was recently acquired by U.S. Aviation Academy.
- International Aero Academy is a partner in Spirit’s Wings Pilot Pathway Program. The school is in Lakeland, Florida.
- L3Harris is an information technology and defense company. However, it also operates a flight school at Sanford International Airport in Florida. It has pathway partnerships with regional carriers like Republic, CommuteAir, and PSA as well as partnerships with low-cost carriers Avelo and Spirit.
- Phoenix East Aviation in Daytona Beach, Florida, is one of the flight schools in United’s Aviate program.
- Skyborne Airline Academy is part of Delta’s Propel program and SkyWest’s Pilot Pathway Program. The school also has partnerships with other airlines like JSX, Avelo Airlines and Endeavor Air. Skyborne is located in Vero Beach, Florida.
- SkyWarrior is a flight school in Pensacola. It is one of three schools in Southwest’s Destination 225° program and also has partnerships with airlines like Air Wisconsin and Silver Airways.
- Thrust Flight has three campuses in Texas. It is part of Spirit’s Wings Pilot Pathway Program and Avelo’s pathway program. Other airlines including Republic and Envoy are also partners with Thrust Flight.
Spirit and Liberty University partner to direct hire pilots (Photo: Spirit Airlines)
Western United States
- CAE is best known for being a flight simulator manufacturer, but it also operates multiple flight training programs. Its flight school in Phoenix trains pilots as part of the American Airlines Cadet Academy, JetBlue’s Gateway Select pilot pathway, and Southwest Destination 225°.
- Cornerstone Aviation is a Utah-based flight school with two locations in Salt Lake City and Ogden. It is part of three airline pilot pathway programs: Envoy’s Cadet Program, United Aviate, and the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program.
- McAir Aviation in Broomfield, Colorado, is home to Allegiant’s Altitude Pilot Pathway program. The school is also part of Envoy Air and SkyWest Airlines’ pathway programs.
- United Aviate Academy is United’s own flight school. The school is in Goodyear, Arizona, and was formerly the Westwind School of Aeronautics Phoenix. As per its name, the school is part of the United Aviate program.
Nationwide
- ATP is one of the country’s largest flight schools. With over 77 locations and 600 aircraft, the school has partnerships with many mainline and regional carriers. It is part of United Aviate and Delta Propel and other partners include Breeze Airways, SkyWest Airlines, GoJet Airlines, and Air Wisconsin.
- Coast Flight has three locations in Texas as well as a site in San Diego. The school is part of the American Airlines Cadet Academy and also has partnerships with SkyWest, Mesa, and Envoy Air.
- Epic Flight Academy has locations in Texas, Florida, and Arizona. It is one of the flight schools in United’s Aviate program and also has pathways to Southern Airways Express, SkyWest, Republic, and Breeze.
- US Aviation Academy is part of many airline pathways programs, including the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program, Southwest Destination 225°, and United Aviate. The school is headquartered in Denton, Texas but has seven flight training locations in Texas, Missouri, Georgia, and New York.
- AeroGuard Flight Training Center has tthree campus locations in Arizona and Texas. The school is a partner in SkyWest’s pilot pathway program.
Other Flight Schools
While this article has covered some of the largest and best-known flight schools in the country, there are many others that have partnerships with airlines. For example, Envoy’s Cadet Program alone has over 30 partner schools. Many airlines also have partnerships with colleges that offer flight training programs alongside a degree or certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Airlines Pay for Flight Training?
In the United States, airlines generally do not pay for a pilot’s flight training. However, some airlines offer financial assistance through their pilot pathway programs. For example, the SkyWest Pilot Pathway Program provides tuition reimbursement up to $17,500 at certain flight schools.
What Are the Benefits of Training at a Flight School with Airline Partners?
Flight schools with airline partnerships offer their students the opportunity to build professional relationships during their flight training. Pilot pathway programs often also include benefits like a guaranteed interview or career progression opportunities upon meeting certain requirements.
Do You Need to Train at a Flight School with Airline Partners?
Although flight schools with airline partners can offer many benefits to their students, many pilots do not attend these schools. Airline pathway programs rarely offer a guaranteed job, and some pilots find it easier and faster to train at their local flight school without any airline partnerships. Each pilot’s training journey is unique and there are many paths to the airlines.
Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
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Andrew is a lifelong lover of aviation and travel. He has flown all over the world and is fascinated by the workings of the air travel industry. As a private pilot and glider pilot who has worked with airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders, he is always excited to share his passion for aviation with others. In addition to being a writer, he also hosts Flying Smarter, an educational travel podcast that explores the complex world of air travel to help listeners become better-informed and savvier travelers.
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